(Barrie, ON) – The City of Barrie is proclaiming the month of March as ITSTARTS month. ITSTARTS is a public awareness campaign, led by the County of Simcoe, designed to take a proactive step towards addressing racism and discrimination, and embracing acceptance, inclusion, equity and diversity. ITSTARTS takes place annually during the month of March, and this year is the 10th anniversary of the campaign.
“The ITSTARTS campaign reminds us to celebrate diversity and inclusion in our community," noted Mayor Alex Nuttall. "As Barrie continues to grow, we have a shared responsibility to ensure every resident feels welcomed, respected, and valued. The City is proud to support ITSTARTS and the important work it champions.”
City staff are taking part in ITSTARTS education sessions, and all Barrie residents are encouraged to engage in activities to combat racism by:
- educating yourself about different cultures and experiences
- performing acts of inclusiveness, such as reading diverse literature, learning about different traditions, and engaging in respectful conversations
- encouraging friends, family members, colleagues, and community leaders to take a stand against discrimination
- using the ITSTARTS card to build awareness, show support, and share using #ITSTARTS on social media
Learn more about the ITSTARTS campaign at simcoe.ca/ItStarts.
Find out more about Barrie’s accessibility and inclusion initiatives at barrie.ca/inclusivity, and visit the City’s Anti-Racism Task Force’s website at barrieantiracism.ca.
