As part of the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan, a Combatting Hate Action Table launched in April of 2024 with more than 30 community leaders from across Waterloo Region coming together to combat identity-based harm and hate in Waterloo Region.
These leaders represent diverse sectors and organizations, including: area municipalities, education, mental health, children and youth, newcomer and immigration, rural, health care, justice, police and diverse grassroots organizations.
Together we are developing an action plan for combatting identity-based harm and hate that reflects the highest priorities, greatest impacts, and holds systems accountable.
Next steps for the action table include:
Building new and reinforcing existing relationships and partnerships between systems and within community.
Mapping current programs and services that address identity-based harm and hate or offer supports to people who have experienced harm.
Building a common understanding of what oppression and discrimination means within our system and communities.
Building a community-wide awareness campaign.
Building system accountability to combat hate and identity-based harm.