Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
See all the ways the City of Surrey is strengthened by its diversity.
Our city is one of the fastest growing and most culturally diverse cities in Canada. As such, we take pride in our cultural diversity, equity and the inclusion and respect we show one another every day.
Quick facts
- 23% of Canadian population is made up by immigrants.
- 19% of Metro Vancouver's Indigenous population live in Surrey.
- 45% of Surrey's residents are immigrants.
- 38% of Surrey residents speak English as a secondary language. (Surrey census data profile)
The City engages and collaborates with its citizens, businesses, partners, other levels of government and staff to ensure the well-being and resiliency of our community.
Within our many plans and strategies is our commitment to reconciliation, diversity, inclusion, social equity and anti-racism:
Reconciliation
Surrey acknowledges it is situated on the traditional, ancestral, territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwikwetlem, Kwantlen, Qayqayt and Tsawwassen First Nations. It is our duty to build respectful consultative practices in our work serving the urban Indigenous populations in Surrey. The City recognizes the importance of honouring the Indigenous connections to these lands.
Current initiatives:
- Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee (SUILC) is a coalition of organizations that have come together to advocate for the more than 13,000 Indigenous people living in Surrey.
- Parks, Recreation and Culture management participated in the Surrey First Peoples Guide for Newcomer Workshops. The workshop provides key learnings for PRC Management to share with applicable teams.
For more information, visit Surrey Urban Indigenous Surrey.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
The City ensures our practices and opportunities do not discriminate. We are accepting, welcoming and respectful of all difference of race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religious beliefs, age, physical abilities, and political beliefs.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion is a team within the City that provides support to connect all community members to recreation programs and services. We support community members to fair and equitable access and participation in our Parks, Recreation and Culture programs and services.
Current initiatives:
- English Conversation Program
- Settlement Services in Recreation Centres
- Leisure Access Program for Government Sponsored or Blended Status Refugees
- 2SLGBTQ+ community initiatives like the Youth Pride Dance
- Prioritizing universal design principles in existing and new facilities
- Collective community knowledge through Surrey Local Immigration Partnership
- Internal training and knowledge sharing on gender inclusivity, best practices, welcoming spaces and Surrey First Peoples Guide.
Contact equitydiversityandinclusion@surrey.ca for resources and services available in your community.
Anti-racism
Surrey works to identify, challenge, prevent, and eliminate things that perpetuate racism. We do this through continual training and education, community consultation and additional measures.
Current initiatives:
Policies on Human Rights
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is supported by core policies, including the Human Rights Policy and Respectful Workplace Policy.
We’re committed to providing an environment that is free from any form of discrimination based on any of the prohibited grounds of discrimination under the B.C. Human Rights Code, as set out to include: race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age and conviction of a criminal or summary conviction offence that is unrelated to employment or intended employment.
Official Community Plan
The Official Community Plan is a statement of objectives and policies that guide City planning decisions. One of the objectives in the plan is to ensure accessible and inclusive civic facilities, programs and community services.
Providing these facilities in an accessible and inclusive manner, both physically and culturally, and distributing them throughout neighbourhoods, enhances the quality of life in Surrey
Canada’s Best Diversity Employers
In March 2022, the City of Surrey was named one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for a fourth year in a row. This national annual award recognizes employers who have exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs.
Accessibility
The City of Surrey is committed to providing accessible and inclusive services, programs and opportunities for all members of our community. From our adapted sports, to our award-winning recreation centres.
Programs
We encourage full and meaningful participation for all Surrey residents in our services, parks and facilities. We gather input from diverse community groups in the planning, design and development of programs and services, and facilitate services and programs that are sensitive to the needs of all people. As an inclusive and welcoming community, we hold or are a partner in many programs, including:
Community events
Surrey celebrates a rich blend of festivals and events. The City receives over 200 applications each year from groups to hold special events and cultural festivals including: Jamaican Festival, Indian Cultural Festival, African Heritage Festival, Surrey Latin Festival, Greek Food Festival, National Indigenous Peoples' Day. Parades within the City include: Vaisakhi Parade, Shaheedy Saka Parade, Santa Clause Parade, Nagar Kirtan Parade, Miri Piri Parade, and the Cloverdale Rodeo Parade.
We also support the Museum of Surrey's Lunar New Year Event and events put on during Black History Month.
Cultural Grants Program
The Cultural Grants Program supports a wide range of arts and cultural activity in Surrey, including artistic practices (music, dance, theatre, literary, visual, media, inter-disciplinary, community-based and Indigenous arts) and cultural celebrations and events that reflect Surrey’s diverse heritage and community.
Surrey Urban Indigenous Strategy
The Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee (SUILC) advocates for the more than 13,000 Indigenous people living in Surrey. The City of Surrey is a member of SUILC and partners to support SUILC’s vision and mission.
Surrey Fusion Festival
In 2019, Surrey Fusion Festival was awarded funding in collaboration with the Arts Council of Surrey by the federal government under the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program, on the basis that it builds bridges to promote intercultural understanding, promotes equal opportunity for individuals of all origins, promotes citizenship, civic engagement and a healthy democracy.
Surrey Major Events
Surrey works alongside an Indigenous consultant and organizer for Party for the Planet, Surrey Canada Day and Surrey Fusion Festival to ensure ample Indigenous representation at Surrey’s major events, aligning with the values of the All Our Relations Social Innovation Strategy. Surrey Fusion Festival’s decision-making is also guided by cultural pavilion organizers from within the community who advise on opportunities to improve the festival, including regarding diversity and inclusion.
Diversity at City Hall
Taking a lead role in the success of our diverse community not only demonstrates the City’s values, it is also a reflection of the people who work here. We are a caring and compassionate city that learns about and supports its residents of all backgrounds, demographics and life experiences.