FIFTH MEETING OF THE
RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE FOR 2008
TOWN OF
Ontario Room,
MINUTES
|
ATTENDANCE: Committee Jobson Easow, Chair Rochelle Bowmile, Vice Chair Aisha Manji Theresa Coulter Councillor L. Kanapathi Regional Councillor T.
Wong Staff Laura Gold, Committee Clerk Sharon Laing, Director of Human Resources |
Regrets Kevin Koo |
The fifth meeting of the
1. CHAIRS OPENING REMARKS
Jobson Easow, Chair, advised the
Committee that the tenth anniversary of the “Many Face of Markham” event held
on
2.
MINUTES OF
THE
MOVED BY: VILVAN
GUNASINGHAM
SECONDED BY: JAVAID KHAN
“That the Minutes of
the Town of
CARRIED
3.
ADDITIONS/CHANGES
TO THE AGENDA
The Committee requested the following items be added to future agendas:
1) Diversity Initiative
2) Business Arising from the Minutes
4.
SUB-COMMITTEE
MEMBERSHIP
Laura Gold, Committee Clerk, was requested to update the sub-committee membership list to include outside members. Jobson Easow, Chair, will provide Ms. Gold with a list of the outside members.
5. UNESCO’S
COALITION OF MUNICIPALITIES AGAINST RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
Regional Councillor Tony Wong advised the Committee it is an advisory committee of Council. He explained the role of an advisory committee is to provide advice to Council by either making a recommendation to Council or asking permission for the Committee to participate in a specified policy initiative or event. He believed that before the Committee makes a request to Council it should consider the importance of the request, the scope of the project, and the Committee’s commitment to the request.
Regional Councillor Tony Wong advised the Committee that the Town has not joined the UNECO’s Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (UCMARD). He noted a request has not been made to Council. He explained a recommendation requesting Council consider joining the UCMARD is an example of the type of request the Committee could make to Council and would involve creating a proposal and making a deputation to Council.
The Committee agreed to review the UCMARD booklet and learn more about what would be required of the Town if it were to join the coalition. The Committee felt the first step was to find out more about what the Town is doing to manage diversity and requested that a Member from the Diversity Advisory Committee present its ideas and strategies to the Committee. Sharon Laing, Director of Human Resources, advised the Committee she would arrange for Committee Members from the Diversity Advisory Committee to provide a presentation on its multi year plan at the next meeting. She noted she will email an executive summary of the Diversity Advisory Committee’s strategy to Committee Members. The Committee advised her they would like an update on the status of the diversity focus groups. The Committee demonstrated its interest in what other municipalities were doing in regards to combating racism and discrimination.
6. BRAINSTORMING SESSION
The Committee briefly discussed the importance of brainstorming. They believed it would be beneficial to have 3 or 4 brainstorming sessions. The following ideas were brought forward by the Committee through a brief brainstorming session:
· Host a significant cultural event (with a policy theme, like employment equity);
· Make a recommendation to Council regarding UNESCO’s Coalition Against Racism;
· Make a recommendation to Council regarding employment equity;
· Make a recommendation to Council regarding immigration integration and settlement services;
· Review Click with Markham results and pick 1 or 2 items indicated as being an issue within the Town and make a recommendation regarding the issue to Council;
· Benchmark ideas from organizations like the York Region Police Services that have effectively increased the number of visual minorities working within its workforce and make a proposal to Council based on best practices;
Sharon Laing, Director of Human Resources, was requested to provide a short presentation on employment equity at a future committee meeting. The Committee selected 3 topics of its interest to discuss at a brainstorming session, including: 1) UNESCO’S Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination; 2) Mayor’s diversity initiative; and 3) employment equity. Regional Councillor Tony Wong recommended the Committee consider meetings outside of the regular meeting schedule to host a visioning session.
7. SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATES
7. A. EVENT SUB-COMMITTEE
MOVED BY: NISHA MEHTA
SECONDED BY: JAVAID KHAN
“That the
CARRIED
7. B. POLICY SUB COMMITTEE
The following Committee Members were assigned the role of Policy Sub-Committee Lead:
· Rochelle Bowmile – Committee Member Lead
· Councillor Logon Kanapathi – Councillor Lead
8. NEW BUSINESS
The Committee briefly discussed the Council for Access to
Profession of Engineering (CAPE). The Committee
was advised
Vilvan Gunashinham was requested by
the Committee to contact
9. ADJOURNMENT
The fifth meeting of the