SIXTH MEETING OF THE

RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE FOR 2008

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room, Markham Civic Centre

Monday, September 8, 2008 – 7:30 p.m.

MINUTES

ATTENDANCE: Committee Jobson Easow, Chair Vilvan Gunasingham Aisha Manji Winnie Wales Javaid Khan Staff Laura Gold, Committee Clerk Sharon Laing, Director of Human Resources Nancy Marchant, Senior Human Resources Consultant Guest Dr. Gurmeet Bambrah

Regrets Kevin Koo Heather Christian-Simmonds Councillor L. Kanapathi June Veecock Rochelle Bowmile, Vice Chair Nisha Mehta Theresa Coulter Regional Councillor T. Wong

The seventh meeting of Markham Race Relations Committee convened at 7:30 PM with Jobson Easow presiding as Chair without quorum.

1. CHAIRS OPENING REMARKS

Jobson Easow, Chair, welcomed the Committee back from the summer break. He welcomed Dr. Gurmeet Bambrah, Chief Operating Officer, Council for Access to the Profession of Engineering (CAPE).

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

This item was deferred to the next meeting, as there was no quorum.

3. CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

Javaid Khan, Committee Member, requested that the meeting start time be added to the next agenda. He requested that the Committee consider starting meetings at 7:00 p.m. rather than 7:30 p.m.

4. COUNCIL FOR ACCESS TO THE PROFESSION OF ENGINEERING (CAPE)

Vilvan Gunasingham, formally introduced Dr. Gurmeet Bambrah, Chief Operating Officer, Council for Access to the Profession of Engineering (CAPE). Dr. Bambrah provided a presentation on improving employment standards for immigrants with an engineering background.

She provided a profile of the immigrants living in Markham with an engineering background, explaining that only 0.32% of Markham’s population has an equivalent level of education and only 15 % of these immigrants are employed in engineering. She explained that 60-70% of foreign trained engineers that take the exams to acquire their license pass, noting that only 1 out of 5 graduates from Canadian engineering programs actually apply for their license. Ms. Gunasingham believed that the problem was with the hiring practices.

Dr. Bambrah explained that organizations need to focus on attracting and retaining knowledgeable workers. Advising that CAPE has developed a database compiling key skills of foreign trained engineers, and has created an employment support tool kit to help employers evaluate the skills of foreign trained engineers. Cape is doing this by establishing community partnerships. She advised that CAPE favours employee engagement over foreign evaluation of credentials.

5. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

a) Deputation to the General Committee

The Committee was advised that Mr. Gunasingham and Mr. Easow made a deputation to the General Committee presenting the motion passed at the June 2, 2008 Markham Race Relations Committee meeting requesting that the Town join the UNESCO Collation Against Racism & Discrimination. They advised that Council refereed the matter to staff. The Committee inquired when an update by the Town may be provided.

Sharon Laing, Director of Human Resources, advised that the Diversity Advisory Committee would need to review its proposed diversity plan to see if there is any overlay with the UNESCO Collation Against Racism & Discrimination and to determine where gaps exist. She believed at this time they would have a better idea of what is required of the Town if it were to join the Collation, and thought that an update could be provided at this time. She noted that some of the areas covered by the Collation are not under the Town’s jurisdiction, as the Town is a lower tiered municipality, and services like policing and affordable housing fall under the jurisdiction of York Region. Mr. Gunasingham advised that the Race Relations Committee would like to extend a helping hand to the Diversity Advisory Committee with respect to the research that is entailed to join the Collation.

6. SUB – COMMITTEE UPDATES

The Committee requested that sub-committees be formulated at the next meeting.

7. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.