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9 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,S eptem ber 2,2021 insidehalton.com Reliable wireless home internet with unlimited data. Stream, surf and make stress-free video calls at the speed you need and no overage fees on Canada's most reliable network**. Offer subject to change without notice. Rogers wireless home Internet 25 is delivered over the Rogers wireless network. Eligibility is limited by region and address and will be confirmed onsite by a technician if the address is deemed serviceable. Data usage subject to Rogers Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policy (see rogers.com/terms). *Taxes extra. The credit will be applied monthly off the current price for the duration of the promotional period. The current price is subject to any applicable rate increase during or after the promotional period. A one-time Ignite Express Setup fee of $15.70 applies to activate your service on the Rogers network and a one-time Pro Install Add-on fee of $44.29 applies for professional installation. ** Rogers was ranked first in the umlaut Mobile Data Performance audit in Q2, 2021. Visit https://www.umlaut.com/en/benchmarking/canada. 1 Actual speeds experienced will vary based on various factors, including network system availability and capacity, traffic management practices, customer's equipment, signal strength, topography and environmental conditions. See Acceptable Use Policy at rogers.com/terms. Limited number of spots available. Register here: rogers.com/wireless-home-internet. after a credit of $10/mo. for 12 months. Currently $99.99/mo. Prices subject to rate increase. One time installation fee of $59.99 applies. With up to 25Mbps download speed1. Get Rogers Internet 25 Unlimited $8999/mo.* demr finoe cl blid wns aserddd ann aoigey rd betimis ly itilibigil. Ekrowtes nseleris wregoe Rhr tevd oereviles d5 it 2enretne Imos hseleris wrego. Recitot nuohtie wgnaho ct tcejbur se ffO tidere ch. Tartxs eexaT. *)smret/moc.sregoe resy (ciloe Pse Ulbatpeccd Ane acivref Ss omres Tregoo Rt tcejbue sgasa uta. Delbaecivred semees ds iserdde ahf tn iaicinhcey a te btisno Metroland's Halton newspapers reached out to members of their Halton Advisory Council to share their views on local issues in conjunction with the federal election. Here's the second part of a three-part series. In June, I wrote about the importance of Pride and acknowledging that the 2SLGBTQ+ communi- ty exists every day. While that statement still stands strong, we must also be mindful of how we can continue to create a momen- tous celebration of the diver- sity within Halton. As the region's popula- tion continues to grow, we need to provide space and platforms for marginalized communities to actively participate in the conver- sations and opportunities that are given to those with privilege. According to the 2020 Community Safety and Well-Being Population Level Indicator Report, 72 percent of Halton residents aged 12 and over felt a very, or somewhat strong, sense of community belonging. Although this could be interpreted as a positive, high percentage, I have to wonder which identities are included within it. This is especially con- cerning given that in Feb- ruary of this year, the Hal- ton Police Board stated that the number of report- ed hate-related incidents in the region increased by 160 per cent in 2020. This increase indicates a growing number of rea- sons why residents would not feel safe, or that they belong, within our neigh- bourhoods. As residents' concerns continue to arise -- such as anti-Black racism, homo- phobia or transphobia -- continuous and momen- tous changes and shifts in behaviour are needed. When consulting with communities and provid- ing opportunities for en- gagement, especially when focusing on diversity and inclusion, it needs to be done in a way that embrac- es, empowers and empha- sizes diverse and intersec- tional identities. We need to ensure that these communities are in- cluded every step of the way with every initiative, as it is truly the only way to include lived experiences and hear directly from them what changes need to be made so that we can in- crease that sense of com- munity belonging. For example, we cannot create inclusive spaces within our region without consulting directly with our 2SLGBTQ+ communi- ty, nor can we ground our work in decolonization and reconciliation without having direct input and feedback from our Indige- nous community. We must be intentional with the work and practices that we do, both personally and professionally. Diversi- ty and inclusion matter be- cause our communities should feel comfortable, safe and represented across the region. Let's strive to use our privilege to provide equal opportunities for those who are often left out, and then we can begin to make inclusive, sustain- able and impactful changes that will hopefully help our residents feel like they be- long in Halton. Matthew Conroy is the 2SLGBTQ+ youth drop-in co-ordinator for Positive Space Network, affiliated with the Reach Out Centre for Kids (ROCK). He can be reached at mat- thewc@rockonline.ca. LET'S AMPLIFY ALL VOICES IN OUR COMMUNITIES OPINION EQUALITY AND INCLUSION MUST BE OUR MANDATE THROUGHOUT HALTON, WRITES MATTHEW CONROY MATTHEW CONROY Column SCAN THIS CODE FOR THE FIRST IN THIS ELECTION COLUMN SERIES. "As resident concerns continue to arise, such as anti-Black racism, homophobia or transphobia, continuous and momentous changes and shifts in behaviour are needed." insidehalton.com/vote2021