MUNICIPAL DIVERSITY PLAN FOR APPOINTMENTS TO YORK REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE BOARD

Approved by: York Regional Council 

Date: April 10, 2025 

Responsibility: The Regional Municipality of York

Authority: Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, S.O. 2019, c.1, Sched. 1

In this plan:

• Context
• Purpose
• Core Values
• Principles
• Definitions
• Application
• Promoting Community Member Appointee Vacancies
• Application Process
• Council Member Appointments: Application Process
• General Considerations
• Review and Revision Schedule
• Information Sharing
• Inquiries

1. Context

Ontario police service boards are required by the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, S.O. 2019, c.1, Sched. 1 (“the Act”) to ensure adequate and effective policing is provided in the area for which they have policing responsibility in accordance with the needs of the population in the area and having regard for the diversity of the population in the area. Police service boards are a vital component of civilian police oversight and will be strengthened through the establishment of consistent selection criteria and processes for board member appointees.

The York Regional Police Service Board (YRPSB) has policing responsibility for The Regional Municipality of York (York Region). The YRPSB is comprised of seven (7) members composed of the following:

1. Regional Chair or Council Member Appointee in lieu of Chair;
2. two Council Member Appointees;
3. one Community Member Appointee; and
4. three Provincial Appointees.

2. Purpose

1. This Municipal Diversity Plan for Appointments to the York Regional Police Service Board (the “Plan”) will ensure that the Regional Council appointments of members to the YRPSB are representative of the diversity of the population in York Region to comply with the requirements of section 28 of the Act.

3. Core Values

The Inclusion Charter for York Region affirms York Region’s commitment to a welcoming and inclusive community where diversity is celebrated, where everyone can develop to their full potential, participate freely in society and live with respect, dignity and freedom from discrimination. York Region celebrates its growing and diverse population as a source of strength and vitality. York Region is located on the traditional territory of many Indigenous Peoples including the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Huron- Wendat and Métis peoples and the treaty territories of the Haudenosaunee, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and Williams Treaties First Nations. The Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation is the closest First Nation community to York Region.

The following Core Values inform this Plan. These values are geared toward recognizing and dismantling systemic barriers that perpetuate inequity.

Commitment to Equity: York Region recognizes that our strength lies in our diversity. York Region remains committed to creating an inclusive, equitable and accessible environment where every individual feels valued, respected and empowered. Achieving equity is an ongoing process that requires dedication and collaboration from all.

Commitment to Reconciliation: York Region is dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples and communities and acknowledges the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization. York Region is committed to reconciliation through respectful and collaborative efforts.

Intersectionality: York Region recognizes that individuals have multiple aspects of their identities that collectively inform their lived experiences, including their experiences of oppression.

4. Principles

1. The YRPSB must be representative of the area it serves, having regard for the diversity of the population in the area.
2. The Region must ensure that the YRPSB has members with prescribed competencies, where applicable.
3. Appointment processes shall be clear and transparent to be consistent with the Core Values.
4. Promotion to and consultation with representatives of the communities served by the police service in York Region is consistent with the Core Values.
5. York Region shall ensure diverse representation on the Board through the development and application of a transparent and equitable recruitment process identified in this Plan and informed by the Core Values identified in section 3.

5. Definitions

1. In this Plan:
   1. “Community Member Appointee” means a person appointed by Council resolution that is neither a member of Regional Council nor an employee of York Region;
   2. “Council Member Appointee” means a Regional Council Member appointed by Council resolution, including a Council Member appointed if the Regional Chair chooses not to sit or is ineligible, and does not include the Regional Chair;
   3. “Police Record Check” means a police record check that was prepared within the 12 months prior to the date of appointment; and
   4. “Provincial Appointee” means persons appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

6. Application

1. This Plan sets out the principles and process to ensure the Region’s appointments of board members to the YRPSB are representative of the diversity of the population of York Region.

7. Promoting Community Member Appointee Vacancies

7.1 Regional staff shall employ an outreach strategy to promote a vacant seat for a Community Member Appointee to the communities of York Region, using one or more of the following approaches:

• Traditional media such as printed newspapers and broadcast radio
• Online media such as social media platforms, digital newspapers
• Printed materials such as posters, flyers, postcards with posting information
• Local municipalities and Regional information kiosks and facilities
• Diverse local community organizations and agencies that represent diverse communities
• Committees of Council and Regional networks that represent diverse communities, including but not limited to, the Human Services Planning Board, Municipal Diversity and Inclusion Group, Newcomer Inclusion Table and York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee
• Targeted outreach through the Regional Chair’s Office

7.2 The Region shall promote this opportunity in an accessible manner, including providing alternative formats upon request, in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

7.3 Postings for Community Member Appointee seat vacancies shall be posted for one month or more prior to the Selection Panel’s consideration of applications.

7.4 Postings for Community Member Appointee seat vacancies shall contain:

7.4.1 Description of roles and responsibilities of a YRPSB Member and expected time commitment;

7.4.2 Description of the application process, including the deadline,

7.4.3 Term of appointment;

7.4.4 Remuneration;

7.4.5 Prescribed eligibility criteria pursuant to the Act;

7.4.6 Prescribed competencies pursuant to the Act;

7.4.7 A statement that the Region shall consider the need to ensure the YRPSB is representative of the area it serves, having regard for the diversity of the population in the area; and

7.4.8 Such other information as may be determined appropriate by the Regional Clerk.

8. Application Process

8.1 The Region shall ensure that an accessible and comprehensive application form is published on the Region’s website and available to persons seeking to apply to become a Community Member Appointee.

8.3 After the deadline stated in the posting, the Regional Clerk’s Office will examine applications to determine whether the applicants are eligible based on information provided in the applications.

8.4 The Regional Chair shall establish a Selection Panel comprised of three or more Regional Council Members and/or staff members.

8.5 The Selection Panel shall review applications, including Police Record Checks, and conduct interviews with shortlisted candidates. If appropriate, the Selection Panel may recommend candidates to Council for consideration in private session.

8.6 The recommendation will be accompanied by a report from the Regional Clerk that includes an outline of the recruitment process, including a description of the promotion strategy and number of applications received.

8.7 Upon receipt of the report of the Selection Panel, Council may:

8.7.1 Appoint the recommended candidate as the Community Member Appointee, or

8.7.2 Appoint another candidate as the Community Member Appointee, or

8.7.3 Make such other decision as it determines appropriate in the circumstances.

Council Member Appointments

9. Application Process

9.1 When a Council Member Appointee seat is vacant, the Regional Clerk shall give notice to Council of the vacancy.

9.2 Council Members eligible and interested in serving as the Council Member Appointee shall submit an application form and Police Record Check to the Regional Clerk.

9.3 After the deadline stated in the posting, the Regional Clerk’s Office will examine applications to determine whether the applicants are eligible based on information provided in the application and provide a list of eligible candidates, along with the candidates’ Police Record Checks, to Council in private session.

9.4 Upon receipt of the list, Council will make the appointment.

Considerations for All Municipal Appointments

10. General Considerations

10.1 When recommending or considering an appointment pursuant to this Plan, the Selection Panel or Council, as applicable, shall consider:

10.1.1 The eligibility of the person;

10.1.2 The need to ensure that the police service board is representative of the area it serves, having regard for the diversity of the population in the area;

10.1.3 The need for the police service board to have members with the prescribed competencies, where applicable;

10.1.4 This diversity plan;