Why Pickering Needs to Rethink Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs: A Call for Common Sense

Why Pickering Needs to Rethink Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Programs: A Call for Common Sense By Lisa Robinson At the May 6th, 2024 Executive Meeting, I stood alone in voting against forcing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and policies on the City of Pickering. At the time, I cautioned my fellow council members and city staff that DEI was facing bans in some U.S. states due to its divisive nature and inefficiency. Now, just months later, my concerns have proven valid. DEI programs have spiraled into a bureaucratic nightmare—wasting taxpayer dollars, sowing division, and replacing practical governance with ideological agendas. While I stood firm in opposing these policies, all three of my colleagues present at that meeting were actively pushing to accelerate the implementation of the DEI program. Meanwhile, some of the world’s largest and most successful companies like McDonald’s, Walmart, Boeing, Molson-Coors, Ford, Jack Daniel’s, John Deere, Lowe’s, Harley-Davidson, Meta, and Amazon, are abandoning DEI initiatives. Why? Because these programs don’t work. They create division, invite lawsuits, alienate customers, and fuel tensions among employees. If industry giants with global operations recognize the harm caused by DEI, why is Pickering still embracing it? The slogan “go woke, go broke” has become more than a catchy phrase—it’s a reality. Time and again, businesses and organizations that prioritize ideological agendas over quality, fairness, and merit end up facing backlash from consumers and stakeholders. Just look at the numerous companies that have lost market share, tarnished their reputations, or faced significant public criticism for going too far with divisive DEI initiatives. DEI is not the cure-all it was once marketed as; instead, it is a framework that too often prioritizes optics over outcomes and division over unity. In Pickering, we’re already seeing the cracks. DEI policies don’t just fail to address the root causes of inequality—they create new problems. By categorizing people based on their identity rather than their character or qualifications, these programs foster resentment and suspicion. No one should be hired based on the color of their skin, their religious beliefs, or their sexual preferences. When you board a plane or go into surgery, do you want to be wondering if the pilot or surgeon was hired because of DEI quotas, or because they were the best person for the job? Competence and merit should always come first. These policies also breed inefficiency. The introduction of costly DEI officers, training sessions, and consultants eats away at our city budget, diverting funds that could be spent on tangible improvements for our residents. Do we want a city that prioritizes ideological box-checking over fixing our roads, supporting small businesses, and investing in public safety? Residents are already stretched thin by rising costs of living. They deserve to see their hard-earned tax dollars go toward initiatives that make Pickering a better, safer, and more prosperous place—not divisive policies that sow confusion and mistrust. Let’s be clear not to twist my words. I’m not advocating for the exclusion of anyone. What I’m saying is that we should be focusing on unity and inclusion through fairness and common sense—not through bureaucratic, expensive programs that polarize our community. A city should serve its residents by providing effective services and fostering real opportunities for everyone, not by lecturing and training them on identity politics. Following our January 27th virtual council meeting, I will give notice of a notice of motion to halt DEI programs and policies in Pickering and block using your tax dollars to hire a nearly One Hundred Thousand Dollar a year DEI officer. It’s time we prioritize fiscal responsibility and practical governance over ideological fads. The divisive nature of DEI is clear, and the evidence from the corporate world shows us that it doesn’t lead to success—it leads to failure. Time to focus on real issues like homelessness, rebuilding infrastructure, fostering economic growth, lowering property taxes, the reckless spending of your tax dollars, and ensuring the safety of our neighborhoods, to name a few. These are the issues that matter to Pickering residents, not divisive and expensive programs that pit people against one another. Time to learn from the mistakes of others. The corporate world is moving away from DEI because it has proven to be a failure. It’s time for Pickering to follow suit and focus on what truly matters. The people of Pickering. By redirecting our resources and efforts, we can build a city that works for everyone—not just those pushing ideological agendas. I encourage you to review the May 6th meeting on Youtube yourself to see where I stood on this issue. The link is provided for full transparency. I am Lisa Robinson, the People’s Councillor, and I remain committed to advocating for policies and change that serve our city and its people—not empty agendas that divide and control us. Time to rebuild trust in our community. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iokQOZP4ezs