Marissa Daniels, OUTniagara member, elected as vice-chair of LGBTQ2+ Advisory Committee for City of St. Catharines

For immediate release

Thursday, September 12, 2019 (St. Catharines) – OUTniagara is proud to announce that our treasurer, Marissa Daniels, has been elected vice-chair of the newly formed 2SLGBTQ Advisory Committee for the City of St. Catharines. She has also been appointed to attend meetings of the City’s Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee as part of her duties.

According to the City’s website, the LGBTQ2 advisory committee’s purpose is to:

• Promote and enhance St. Catharines as a welcoming city and improve the quality of life for all residents.
• Position the City, its advisory committees and City Council with knowledge and resources to encourage a range of perspectives, experiences and ideas in decision making.
• Advise City Council on eliminating barriers experienced by members of LGBTQ2+ communities in accessing and participating in City delivered public programs, services, and spaces.
• Provide advice on and support the development, review and implementation of the City’s public policies and programs, as they relate to the committee’s mandate.
• Work with community partners to organize civic events and recognize days or events that are significant to the LGBTQ2+ communities.
• Actively engage the community and provide public education on relevant programs, services and issues of interest.

The City website lists the goals of the Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee as follows:

• Promote and enhance St. Catharines as a welcoming city and improve the quality of life for all residents, and embed inclusionary policies and practices into city services and programs in order to promote equity of outcome for St. Catharines residents and visitors.
• Position the City, its advisory committees and City Council with knowledge and resources to encourage a range of perspectives, experiences and ideas in decision-making.
• Advise City Council on promoting equity and inclusion in the way the City delivers public programs, services, and spaces.
• Provide advice on and support the development, review and implementation of the City’s public policies and programs, as they relate to the committee’s mandate.
• Work with the community and community organizations to organize civic events to promote equity, inclusion, and the elimination of discrimination.
• Develop and implement an annual award for inclusivity / leadership as part of the St. Catharines volunteer awards.