IDEA Projects

For more information on an overview of the IAG’s 2024 community impact refer to the December 2024 Report to the District’s Finance and Corporate Services Committee.

Diversity and Inclusion Training for Small Employers

In 2024 the IAG sponsored training for small employers in Muskoka to help promote diversity and inclusion within their teams and business model. The goal of this initiative was to ensure workplaces in Muskoka are free from discrimination. There were six virtual workshops offered between Sept 10 and Nov 14 on Indigenous Awareness, Safer Spaces 2S-LGBTQ+ Awareness and Bystander Intervention. In total, 182 participants and 31 small employers were involved.

IDEA Community Grants

The purpose of the IDEA Community Grant Program is to amplify the efforts of the IAG in creating opportunities for community engagement and public education around the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-hate. In total, 13 grants were awarded. Funded projects are underway now and will be concluded by the end of 2026.

Community Murals

In 2024, two Community IDEA Murals were created. These community murals promote the importance of the IDEA principles, and in particular, encourage a #HateFreeMuskoka. The two murals are connected not only by style and imagery, but also by theme. One is located in the Muskoka Lumber Community Centre in Bracebridge and one is located on 205 Muskoka Road South facing Hotchkiss Street.

IDEA Community Grants

In 2023 the IAG launched the IDEA Community Grant program to amplify the efforts of the IAG in creating opportunities for community engagement and public education around the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-hate. In total, 23 eligible applications were received and evaluated and nine projects were funded, including the Hate Has No Place Here sign campaign in partnership with Muskoka Pride. For more information on the funded projects and community impact refer to the April 17 2023 Report to District Council.

IDEA Advisory Group Recruitment 

The IAG completed a comprehensive recruitment process and onboarded new members to join as either a Partner or Champion (members with lived experience of discrimination). To see a full list of IAG members, including partner agencies, please see the IAG Member Profile.

Muskoka District Council Declares Muskoka a Hate Free Community

As a result of the 2022 Hate Free Muskoka Symposium hosted by the IAG, District Council declared Muskoka a hate free community on March 2023. For more information see the Report to District Council. 

Strategic Action Plan 2022 - 2026

In late 2021 and early 2022, the IAG held strategic planning workshops to look at how IDEA could best impact the community, business, public and private organizations and become an effective advisory body to Muskoka District Council. In March 2022 District Council approved the IAG’s multi-year Strategic Action Plan. For more information on the IDEA Advisory Group Strategic Action Plan 2022-2026.

Hate Free Muskoka Symposium

Recognizing that anti-hate is a unifying theme for all equity-deserving populations, the IAG hosted a one-day event to prevent hate. The event was officially called Hate Free Muskoka: Recognize and Respond to Hate in Our Community and was held on November 5, 2022, at the Rene M Caisse Theatre in Bracebridge. In total there were approximately 100 participants at the symposium, including volunteers, committee members and speakers / panelists. For more information see the Report to District Council. 

Learn more about the event here.