FIFTH MEETING OF THE
RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE FOR 2007
TOWN OF MARKHAM
Ontario Room, Markham Civic Centre
Monday, May 7, 2007 – 7:30 p.m.
MINUTES
|
ATTENDANCE: Committee Jan Godschalk Councillor L. Kanapathi Aisha Manji Linda Stewart, Chair
Gordon To Staff L. Gold, Assistant to Committee/Council |
Regrets Warren Ali Kevin Koo Jobson Easow Councillor Erin Shapero |
The fifth meeting of the Markham Race Relations Committee in 2007 convened at 7:35 p.m. with Linda Stewart in the Chair.
1. MINUTES OF THE APRIL 2, 2007 MEETING OF THE RACE RELATIONS
COMMITTEE HELD IN 2007
THE TOWN OF MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDS:
That the Minutes of the Town of Markham Race Relations Committee meeting held on April 2, 2007, be adopted.
CARRIED
2. DISCUSSION
OF HR PRESENTATION
The
Committee agreed the Town’s Human Resources Department had many wonderful ideas
and policies, but questioned what metrics were in place to measure the Town’s
success in achieving its stated goals and objectives. The Committee also
expressed an interest in becoming involved with the sustainability and
community outreach aspects of the Town’s initiatives.
THE TOWN OF MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDS:
THAT
Linda Stewart and Gordon To follow up with the Town’s Human Resources
Department with questions and report back to the Committee.
CARRIED
3. RESIGNATION
OF COMMITTEE MEMBER
Linda Stewart advised the Committee of Carina
Mahendrarajah’s resignation.
THE TOWN OF MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDS:
THAT the resignation of Carina Mahendrarajah be accepted; And that the position be declared vacant and a replacement member be appointed.
CARRIED
4. SUB-COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
A brief overview of the events and policy
committee was provided. Both Gordon To
and Aisha Manji demonstrated an interest in the Events Sub-Committee.
THE TOWN OF MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDS:
THAT Gordon To and Aisha Manji be appointed to
the Events Sub- Committee.
CARRIED
5. COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION
A brief discussion involving committee
composition and structure was held. It
was felt the diversity of Markham would be better represented if the Terms of
Reference were changed from appointing members from specific areas of Markham
to a system that has at least one representative from each ward. The Committee
believes this type of structure would also improve the connection of members
with their Councillors. It was also noted
that the Milliken area was not well represented on the Committee at this time.
THE TOWN OF MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDS:
THAT Linda Stewart update the Terms of
Reference and distribute it to Committee members by email for review and
comment and that a resolution be passed at the next meeting.
CARRIED
6. abcGTA-
THE MAYTREE FOUNDATION
The
Committee briefly discussed the Maytree Foundation, a foundation that addresses
the imbalances between immigrants and visible minorities on boards and
committees in the Greater Toronto Area.
Members were encouraged to register with the Foundation and attend some
of its workshops. It was noted that the
Foundation plans to hold some of their future workshops in Markham.
The
York Region Police Board was applauded for recently winning
an honorable mention in the Maytree Foundation Diversity in Governance Awards
2007 for their Recruiting with Vision Strategy and Recruit
Community Insight Program
initiatives. Linda Stewart indicated she
would write a letter congratulating the Board on behalf of the Committee.
Discussion
of the Foundation prompted frustrations regarding the number of barriers
foreign trained workers face entering the Ontario labour force. It was suggested that this may be an area of
interest for the policy team.
There
was an exchange of ideas regarding Bill 124, a new provincial policy geared
toward providing fair access to regulated professions. Gordon To advised the Committee that he would
find out more about Bill 124 and report back at the next meeting.
THE TOWN OF MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDS:
THAT
the Committee invite a spokesperson from the Maytree Foundation to present more
information on the Foundation.
CARRIED
7. SUB-COMMITTEE
UPDATES
a) Events
Many Faces of Markham
It
was reported that the Many Faces of Markham event held on April 15, 2007 was a
great success. People came from all over the Greater Toronto Area. Jean Augustine, the Fairness Commissioner of
Ontario, was featured as the keynote speaker. The Committee thanked the Event
Committee for their hard work and for the successful planning and
implementation of the event.
It
was noted that 10 out of 50 contest winners did not attend the event, something
that has not occurred in previous years.
Some parents were concerned by the number of performers that were not
from Markham.
The
Committee was informed that next year will be the tenth anniversary of the Many
Faces of Markham event and felt this was an opportunity to do something
special. Linda Stewart indicated she had
already booked Markham Theatre for a Sunday in April of next year and will
provide the date to the Committee at the next meeting. She further suggested the Committee start
early with the planning of the event.
Lecture Series
The
Committee reported they were working with the Markham Museum to develop a
series of lectures to be held at the Museum.
Larger Event
There
was some discussion of a potential larger event that would involve vendors,
food, and entertainment reflecting the different cultures of Markham. This may also be held at Markham Museum and
would require resources and Council approval.
b) Policy
No report was provided
on this item.
8. NEW
BUSINESS
No report was provided
from on item.
9. DATE
OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of Committee is scheduled for Monday, June 4, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ontario Room.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The Markham Race Relations Committee meeting adjourned at 8: 55 p.m.