City council voted Monday to begin the process of recruiting eight community members to sit on the new inclusivity advisory committee the city is creating.

In addition to approving the committee’s terms of reference Monday, council also instructed administration to begin the application process for membership on the committee.

Members of council asked at its meeting last week whether specific criteria or metrics will be used to to select committee members, says the administrative report prepared for council.

“Administration noted that a broad lens will be used to select members for the committee which is intended to bring forward perspectives and experience and to represent a diversity of views, rather than seeking members that formally represent any whole groups or specific associations or organizations,” says the report.

It says the terms of reference for the committee notes the importance of committee members bringing to the table the perspective of seniors, elders, women and youth.

Under the advisory committee bylaw, says the report, council committees are expected to represent a balance of gender, culture, youth and older adults.

The draft terms of reference says the purpose of the committee is to promote inclusivity by identifying opportunities for the city to increase inclusivity through its programs and policies.

The committee is to examine and make recommendations on inclusivity issues, and to hear and respond to individuals and non-government organizations on select topics.

As part of its work, the committee will advise council on the implementation of toolkits and resources available through the national Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities, of which the city is a member, says the administrative report.

Administrative support for the committee has been estimated at $100,000 annually for one staff person to be shared with the new housing and land advisory committee.

Depending on the workplan and recommendations of the committee, an additional $80,000 to $100,000 is estimated for potential consulting fees, says the administrative report.

The terms of reference identifies that the purpose of the committee is to promote inclusivity in the city by:

• Identifying opportunities to increase inclusivity through city bylaws, policies and programs;

• Advising council on the implementation of the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities toolkits and resources;

• Reporting to council on strategic policy issues for achieving progress on inclusivity;

• On select topics, to hear and respond to representatives from community and cultural groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individuals;

• Provide recommendations on how to improve engagement with community stakeholders; and

• Examine any inclusivity issue that council refers to the committee for consideration.