Timmins named one of 10 communities in national initiative on hate and discrimination response

The City of Timmins announced July 21 that Timmins has been selected as one of 10 communities across Canada to participate in a national initiative led by the Canadian Centre for Safer Communities aimed at strengthening local responses to hate, discrimination, polarization and other forms of community harm.

For residents, the announcement signals new work tied to how the city tracks and responds to bias-related incidents, including a reminder about a local online reporting tool launched in 2024.

As part of the initiative, Timmins will work with Community Justice Initiatives and the Stronger Cities Network. The city did not say what specific actions are planned in Timmins.

The city said the initiative aligns with Timmins’ Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, which lists diversity, equity and inclusion, and shared responsibility as key priorities for creating a safe and welcoming community.

The city also pointed residents to its online Hate and Discrimination Reporting Tool, which it described as confidential. The city said the platform allows people to report experiences of hate, discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying, vandalism or other bias-related incidents.

The city said it launched the reporting platform in 2024 with Victim Services. The announcement said information collected through the tool is used to identify community trends and emerging issues, and to support what it described as evidence-informed decision-making and future education and prevention.

In the release, community programs manager Meagan Baranyk said the partnership will provide access to national expertise, resources and “leading practices” that could be adapted in Timmins.

The city said additional information will be shared as the project moves forward.