Empowering Change outlines Mississauga’s vision and plan to embed equity, diversity, and inclusion into every aspect of its work – building a more inclusive and connected city for all.
Local government | December 4, 2025
The City of Mississauga is please to launch its Empowering Change: A Comprehensive Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy: 2026-2031, a forward-looking plan that re-affirms the City’s commitment to building a more inclusive, equitable, and connected community.
Developed through extensive engagement with residents, community partners, and City employees, the strategy outlines a clear path to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion across all of its programs and services. It ensures the City recognizes that creating an environment where everyone feels respected, represented and supported benefits both the community and the workforce.
Empowering Change is set to be implemented over the next five years (2026-2031) and builds on the City’s existing priorities and strategic plans as well as aligns with its core values of Trust, Quality and Excellence. The strategy provides a clear and coordinated framework to guide the City’s actions across four pillars of municipal responsibility: City employment, policy development, services and programs, and purchasing goods and services. Its guiding principles focus on reducing barriers and addressing biases through leadership accountability and consistent application across all departments, with divisions across the City working to embed EDI in their practices using the strategy as a roadmap.
Two fundamental themes – clear communication and standardized data collection – will support progress tracking and transparency throughout the implementation.
The City hosted comprehensive community engagement sessions to encourage open dialogue and gather meaningful input that shaped the strategy. This collaboration with residents, community groups, and staff ensures Empowering Change reflects the voices and experiences of the people it serves.
With this strategy, the City is taking an important step towards a more inclusive future – one where diversity is celebrated, equity is embedded in every action and inclusion drives progress.
“Mississauga is one of the most diverse cities in the world – a community where people from every corner of the world feel welcomed, included, and valued. Our new Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, Empowering Change, provides a roadmap to strengthen our inclusive practices and continue leading by example. Together, we are building a city and fostering an environment of fairness where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.” – Mayor Carolyn Parrish
“Equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to the quality of life and sense of community we want for Mississauga’s future. This strategy reflects our shared commitment and responsibility to the ongoing work of ensuring that everyone – residents, employees and visitors – can thrive and feel they belong in Mississauga.”
– Geoff Wright, City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer
City of Mississauga Media Relations
media@mississauga.ca
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