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    Chima Nkemdirim, Q.C.: Chief of Staff - Office of Mayor Naheed Nenshi

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    From the IRPP event: Electoral and civic involvement of Canada's immigrant communities http://irpp.org/irpp-event/electoral-and-civic-involvement-of-canadas-immigrant-communities/

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    Chima Nkemdirim, Q.C.: Chief of Staff - Office of Mayor Naheed Nenshi

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    Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP)
    57 views15 pages
    From the IRPP event: Electoral and civic involvement of Canada's immigrant communities http://irpp.org/irpp-event/electoral-and-civic-involvement-of-canadas-immigrant-communities/

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    Nkemdirim

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    From the IRPP event: Electoral and civic involvement of Canada's immigrant communities http://irpp.org/irpp-event/electoral-and-civic-involvement-of-canadas-immigrant-communities/

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    57 views15 pages

    Chima Nkemdirim, Q.C.: Chief of Staff - Office of Mayor Naheed Nenshi

    Uploaded by

    Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP)
    From the IRPP event: Electoral and civic involvement of Canada's immigrant communities http://irpp.org/irpp-event/electoral-and-civic-involvement-of-canadas-immigrant-communities/

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 15

    Chima Nkemdirim, Q.C.

    Chief of Staff Office of Mayor Naheed Nenshi


    Visible Minority Representation in Local
    Government
    October 25, 2013

    Calgary is more diverse than you think!

    Composition of Calgarys Population

    28% of Calgarys
    population are
    visible minorities.
    Calgary is Canadas
    3rd most diverse
    city.

    Calgary Today

    Largest Single Ethnic Group 2011

    Visible Minority % Census Tracts 2006

    But Council looks like this:

    Diversity in Calgary vs. Council


    Calgarys Visible
    Minority Rate (CMA)

    Calgary City Council (out of


    15) Visible Minorities

    1996: 15.6%

    1998: 0 - 0%

    1998: 4 26.7%

    2001: 17.5%

    2001: 0 - 0%

    2001: 5 33.3%

    2006: 22.2%

    2004: 0 - 0%

    2004: 6 - 40%

    2011: 28.1% (third

    2007: 1 6.7%

    2007: 3 20%

    2010: 2 13.3%

    2010: 3 20%

    2013: 2 13.3%

    2013: 2 13.3%

    amongst Canadian
    metros)

    Women on Council (out of


    15)

    Obviously, something is not working

    Average age of outgoing City


    Council was: 57 years old
    Average age of Calgarians: 36 years
    old

    Whats going on?

    Visible minorities are engaged in the


    community, but not necessarily in the
    traditional ways to lead to municipal
    office.
    Visible minorities must be engaged in
    municipal issues in order to attract us to
    municipal politics.
    8

    Obviously, something is not working


    Community Associations often dont represent the community
    Community associations were established in the 60s to organize recreation
    activities and social functions.
    They have unintentionally evolved to have a formal role in local planning
    and development matters, thus they are very influential. Community
    associations are major source of municipal politicians!
    However, membership is voluntary and often only represent a small
    minority of residents.
    Example: Community of Martindale in NE Calgary is over 75% visible
    minority (40% East Indian), but all but one member of the Community
    Association Board is white.

    Obviously, something is not working


    Citys engagement process is traditionally focused on community associations
    The City of Calgarys engagement processes has historically been too focused on
    community associations, not the community at large.
    Traditional engagement activities miss a large segment of the population, which
    reduces awareness about municipal activities
    Example: Citys Municipal Development Plan (City-wide land use plan) left out
    allocating land for places of worship within new communities.

    10

    How are we fixing it


    It starts with getting people engaged in their community.

    especially youth.
    11

    How are we fixing it


    Expanding City engagement process to reach different groups
    Traditional models dont work anymore - Its about going to where people live
    Go to the mall

    Go to community events

    Put it on the bus

    Go to the Mosque

    12

    How are we fixing it


    Encourage new citizens to vote
    Vote kit

    Vote bus

    VoteKit is a volunteer-run project that aims to remove barriers to


    voting by sharing non-partisan information on the civic election
    and knowledge about how to vote.
    It provided voter information in 6 languages:
    http://votekit.ca/votekit-live/voting-station-tutorial-cantonese/

    13

    How are we fixing it


    Campaigns need to do more
    Materials in different languages
    Ambassadors to help connect with different
    groups during and after the campaign
    The City needs to do more
    Workshops for prospective candidates
    Materials in different languages
    Encourage parents to bring their children to
    vote.
    Mock elections in schools
    City Hall school

    14

    Thank you!

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