Inclusive Networking & Support for Public Officials in Rural Environments (INSPIRE) aims to better support racialized local elected officials across Canada. This three-year project, a collaboration between CCG and The Foundation for a Path Forward, is funded by the Law Foundation of British Columbia.
INSPIRE follows the journey of racialized local elected officials from campaign trail to public office as they navigate online harassment, racism, disinformation, exclusion, and limited institutional support. Grounded in evidence, lived experience, and community knowledge, the INSPIRE pilot project conducted a province-wide survey of local elected officials, in-depth interviews with racialized officials, comparative perspectives from non-racialized officials, and continued engagement.
Drawing on the findings of the phase one pilot project, we are developing research reports, policy briefs, resources, toolkits, networks and more to better support racialized local electeds and allies across Canada.
Our Resources:
The report finds that online harms and systemic racism reinforce one another. The findings document high levels of online harassment, targeted social media attacks, disinformation, explicit racial hate speech, and systemic racism.
The toolkit turns the findings into practical support. The toolkit responds to the gaps identified in our Pilot Project by offering concrete guidance for officials facing online harassment, including how to prepare, document, respond, report, recover, advocate for reform, and connect with peer networks.
Mental Health and Legal Supports
To get involved, or for more information about the INSPIRE project, please contact hello@ccg.eco
