SIXTH MEETING OF THE

RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE FOR 2008

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room, Markham Civic Centre

Monday, June 2, 2008 – 7:30 p.m.

MINUTES

ATTENDANCE: Committee Jobson Easow, Chair Rochelle Bowmile, Vice Chair Vilvan Gunasingham Aisha Manji Theresa Coulter Winnie Wales Regional Councillor T. Wong Nisha Mehta Javaid Khan Staff Laura Gold, Committee Clerk Sharon Laing, Director of Human Resources Nadine Daley, Manager of Human Resources Tahmena Bokhari, Diversity Consultant

Regrets Kevin Koo Heather Christian-Simmonds Councillor L. Kanapathi June Veecock

The sixth meeting of Markham Race Relations Committee convened at 7:30 PM with Jobson Easow presiding as Chair.

1. CHAIRS OPENING REMARKS

Jobson Easow, Chair, advised the Committee that this was the last meeting before the Committee breaks for the summer. He welcomed Nadine Daley, Manager of Human Resources, and Tahmena Bokhari, Diversity Consultant.

2. MINUTES OF THE MAY 5, 2008 MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE HELD IN 2008

MOVED BY: VILVAN GUNASINGHAM
SECONDED BY: ROCHELLE BOWMAN

“That the Minutes of the Town of Markham Race Relations Committee meeting held on May 5, 2008 be adopted”.

CARRIED

3. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

Vilvan Gunasingham, Committee Member, requested that the name of the Committee Member speaking be referred to in the discussion section of future meeting minutes.

4. DIVERSITY INITIATIVE PRESENTATION

Nadine Daley, Manager of Human Resources, and Tahmena Bokhari, Diversity Consultant, provided a presentation on the Town of Markham’s Diversity Initiative. They reviewed the Mayor’s commitment to diversity, the Town’s issue statement on diversity, and Council’s areas of focus including: ethno-cultural groups, youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities. A review of the proposed Diversity Plan was provided, including the proposed areas of focus, what has been done so far, what to expect, and the critical success factors. It was noted that the staff and Mayor’s diversity initiatives have been merged, and that the name of the Diversity Advisory Committee has been changed to the Inclusitivity Advisory Committee.

Ms. Bokhari advised the Committee of the process in regards to a municipality joining the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (CMARD). Rochelle Bowman, Committee Member, inquired if the Town is planning on joining the CMARD. Ms. Daley explained the possibility is being considered, but noted the Town is currently in the data collection stage of its diversity initiative and that at this stage in the process there is a lot of activity and little concrete plans.

Vilvan Gunasingham, Committee Member, inquired if the Town has a vision statement in addition to an issue statement. He also demonstrated the importance of the diversity plan being staff driven (bottom up) rather than senior management driven (top down). Ms. Bokhari explained a vision statement is in the process of being created by the Town’s senior management. Ms. Daley advised the Committee that Town staff are being engaged through hosting staff focus groups, and by having every Town employee complete a diversity survey. She also noted that senior staff recognizes the importance of staff buying into the plan.

Mr. Gunasingham inquired if the Town has set deadlines in regards to the completion of the Diversity Plan. Regional Councillor Tony Wong explained there are tentative deadlines in place. Mr. Gunasingham recommended that a flow chart be added to the presentation on the Town’s diversity initiative, which displays all the stakeholders involved in the process, such as the Race Relations Committee.

5. SUB COMMITTEE REPORT

5. A. Event Sub-Committee

The Committee briefly reviewed the report “Many Faces of Markham 2008, Final Meeting Summary Report” by Linda Stewart, Past Chair.

MOVED BY: VILVAN GUNASINGHAM,

SECONDED BY: JAVID KHAN

That the report “Many Faces of Markham 2008, Final Meeting Summary Report” by Linda Stewart be received.

5. B. Policy Sub –Committee

The policy sub-committee recommended that the Race Relations Committee make a recommendation to Council that the Town join the UNESCO’s Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination. The Committee questioned if they had done enough research in regards to what type of commitment and resources would be required by the Town to join the coalition. It was decided the timing was right and that the recommendation should be made at this time. Jobson Easow, Chair, and Vilvan Gunasingham, Committee Member, will make a deputation to Council at a General Committee meeting in June, or September. Laura Gold, Committee Clerk, advised them they would have 5 minutes to present on this matter.

MOVED BY: ROCHELLE BOWMAN

SECONDED BY: VILVAN GUNASINGHAM

That the Markham Race Relations Committee recommend that the Town of Markham join the UNESCO’s Coalition Against Racism and Discrimination.

6. CONFIRM 3 TOPICS/ SET DATE FOR BRIAN STORMING SESSION

The Committee agreed it would be appropriate to discuss foreign credentials at the September 8, 2008 Race Relations Committee meeting, as a representative from the Council for Access to the Profession of Engineering (CAPE) is coming to the meeting to discuss this matter.

Sharon Laing, Director of Human Resources, will provide a presentation on employment equity at the October 6, 2008 Race Relations Committee meeting. The Committee agreed the brain storming topic for that meeting should also be employment equity.

The Committee agreed 15 min per meeting should be devoted to the diversity initiative. Ms. Laing believed Tahmena Bokhari, Diversity Coordinator, and Nadine Daley, Manager of Human Resources, would be able to attend future meetings and provide the diversity update in person.

7. NEW BUSINESS

7. A. EXTERNAL REQUEST EVALUATION PROCESS

Mr. Gunasingham distributed an external request evaluation process map, which he proposed the Committee should follow. The Committee reviewed the map and committed to following of the map in principle

7. B. CULTURAL ACCESS PASS

Ms. Bowman distributed an email regarding a cultural access pass (a free pass to a number of Toronto attractions for 1 year) for new Canadian citizens. Javid Khan, Committee Member, will advise the Canada Day Committee about the cultural access pass and recommend it be provided to immigrants being sworn in as Canadian Citizens at the Canada Day celebrations “Citizenship Ceremony”.

7. C. MEETING TIME

Mr. Khan requested the Committee consider changing its meeting time from 7:30 PM to 7:00 PM. This item was requested to be added to the next agenda.

8. ADJOURNMENT

The Markham Race Relations Committee adjourned at 9:05 PM.