Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
As an organization, Coquitlam is on a journey to better serve our vibrant and diverse community. Coquitlam is committing to the progression of equity, diversity and inclusion by incorporating this lens into our services, spaces, and programs.
Explore some of our work in this area:
Accessibility and Inclusion
The City has adopted its first-ever Accessibility and Inclusion Plan (PDF) , advancing ongoing efforts to make everyday life in Coquitlam more welcoming, accessible and inclusive for residents and visitors. The Plan formalizes the City’s historical prioritization of accessibility and inclusion and acts as a guidance to continue to reduce and remove barriers.
Learn more about the work of the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Committee.
Check out more information about our work across the organization on the City’s Accessibility page.
Reporting Accessibility Barriers
We want to hear from you! Have you experienced an accessibility barrier when using a City service? Do you have ideas on how we can remove barriers to be more accessible?
Share your feedback on the Accessibility and Inclusion Plan or report accessibility barrier in the following ways:
- Online: Provide your accessibility feedback through the Feedback Form available 24/7.
- Email: Email EDI with your feedback or to request support to fill out the Feedback Form.
- Phone: Call City Hall at 604-927-3000 and ask to be directed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion staff. A staff member can help you submit the Feedback Form on your behalf.
- In-Person: Visit City Hall at 3000 Guildford Way. An Equity, Diversity and Inclusion staff member will help you to fill in Accessibility Feedback Form on your behalf. City Hall is open Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., excluding statutory holidays.
Recruitment and Retention
The City of Coquitlam is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer working towards enhancing inclusion and reducing barriers within our recruitment and retention processes.
Check out the City’s EDI Recruitment and Retention Action Plan, which details the actions to help support this important work within our organization.
Removing Barriers for Council Candidates
Coquitlam was one of the first communities in B.C. to adopt leave procedures for Council members that aim to remove systemic and financial barriers for equity-deserving groups wishing to participate in public office.
The City provides Council members up to 16 weeks of paid leave (or the remainder of the term, whichever occurs first) for maternity and/or parental leave, or to provide compassionate care or caregiving support to someone considered to be family who is critically ill or needing end-of-life care.
The City also offers a pension benefit to Council members to further reduce potential financial barriers for those running for office. This benefit is calculated based on years of service at a rate guided by the Municipal Pension Plan. The start date for all Council members, including those re-elected, is the beginning of the next term.
Pay Transparency Act
The BC Government passed the Pay Transparency Act in 2023. In accordance with this legislation, Coquitlam is: publishing salary ranges on all public job postings and has prepared an annual Pay Transparency Report (PDF).
- Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion – Glossary of Terms (PDF)
- Province of B.C.'s Accessible British Columbia Act
- Province of B.C.’s Anti-racism Frequently Asked Questions
- Resilience BC – Human Rights Documents
For learning resources related to truth and reconciliation, visit the City's reconciliation page.
Racism is the systemic form of oppression based on the social construct of race. Racism can be evident individually, institutionally, and systemically.
Anti-racism is an active effort to identify, challenge and eliminate all forms of racism, and the values, policies and behaviours that perpetuate it.
- Read the City’s statement condemning racism and hateful acts – Hate Has No Place in Coquitlam.
- Learn about the Resilience BC: Anti-Racism Network, funded by the Province of B.C., that offers a province-wide approach to identifying and challenging racism.
- Read the Province of B.C.’s anti-racism frequently asked questions.
The City strives to foster an inclusive community where people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions feel safe, respected, and valued. This includes supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals through programs, partnerships, and efforts that advance inclusion and reduce barriers. Each year, Pride banners are displayed throughout the community to help create welcoming public spaces and recognize the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Tri-Cities Pride Society
The Tri-Cities Pride Society (TCPS) was formed in September 2017 to serve the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities in the cities of Port Moody, Coquitlam, and Port Coquitlam. Led by an elected board of directors, the TCPS aims to help make the Tri-Cities community more inclusive for the LGBT2SQ+ communities through advocacy, social events, education and consultation. Find out more and how you can support at tricitiespride.ca.
Support Resources
- 2 Spirits of BC – BC Indigenous 2SLGBTIQ+ Wellness Program
- DSU Pride Collective, a safe and inclusive space for Douglas College students
- Government of BC Gender Equity Resources
- Pride and Allies Book Club – Coquitlam Public Library
- Qmunity – BC’s Queer, Trans, and Two-Spirit Resource Centre
- Queer Coquitlam Facebook group for people in Coquitlam and the Tri-Cities
- SOGI 123
In spring 2022, the Coquitlam RCMP began collecting reports on hate-motivated incidents in response hate based on race, gender or sexual orientation.
Reporting these behaviours – whether experienced or witnessed – is important for public safety. Condemning all forms of hate supports a culture of inclusivity and belonging.
How to Report a Hate Crime or Incident
- Report hate-motivated incidents at Report.RCMP.ca: Hate-motivated incidents are when a person is targeted by another person motivated by hate in a way that is not a criminal offence. Examples include hate-motivated correspondence, treating someone poorly, or hateful speech or insults based on race, gender or sexual orientation.
- Report hate crimes in person to Coquitlam RCMP or by calling 604-945-1550: Hate crimes are criminal offences that are motivated, or suspected to be motivated, by hate. Examples include physical assault or threat to a person based on race, gender or sexual orientation, vandalism to a home with anti-Semitic or hate graffiti, or damage to a place of worship.
- Report hate crimes in progress to 911.
- Report a hate crime anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visiting solvecrime.ca.
The Province of B.C. also provides information about hate crimes and reporting, with videos in a variety of languages.
Contact the Racist Incident Helpline at 1-833-457-5463: The Racist Incident Helpline is a toll-free, multilingual service for people who have experienced discrimination based on the colour of their skin, culture, ethnicity or place of origin. Callers receive support, guidance and referrals to community support services. The helpline is expanding to support individuals who experience hate based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. Learn more at racistincidenthelpline.ca.
Colouring Pages
If you or your family members love colouring, we have a series of downloadable colouring sheets highlighting Coquitlam’s inclusivity statements and the 2023 Street Banner program designs:
- Diversity Lives Here (PDF)
- Everyone is Welcome (PDF)
- Coquitlam Welcomes You (PDF)
- Be Here. Be You. Belong (PDF)
And if you’re picking up crayons, consider also picking up the ‘Colors of the World’ pack, which contains 24 skin tone crayons representing people of the world.. They can be ordered online but we encourage you to consider buying them from local stores such as London Drugs, Michaels and dollar stores.