RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE FOR 2010

TOWN OF MARKHAM

 

Ontario Room, Markham Civic Centre

Monday, February 1, 2010
7:15 PM – 9:00 PM

 

MINUTES

 

 

ATTENDANCE:

 

Committee

Winnie Wales

Vilvan Gunasingham

Prashanth Scrichandramohan
Liliana Soengas
Shila Desai

Carla Crooks

Darius Sookram

 

Staff

Laura Gold, Committee Clerk

Cheryl McConney-Wilson, Diversity Specialist

 

 

 

Regrets

Councillor L. Kanapathi

Theresa Coulter

 

 

The second meeting of the Race Relations Committee convened at 7:30 p.m. with Winnie Wales presiding as Chair.

 

1.         CHAIRS OPENING REMARKS

 

The Chair thanked Jobson Easow for his past role of Chair of the Markham Race Relations Committee.

 

The Committee welcomed Darius Sookram to the Markham Race Relations Committee.

 

2.         MINUTES OF THE RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE HELD ON JANUARY 4, 2010

 

The following was added to section 6.0 of the January 4, 2010 Race Relations Committee Minutes:

 

Ms. Carla Crooks will help with the 2010 Many Faces of Markham judging of the writing contest.

 

Moved by Liliana Soengas

Seconded by Prashanth Scrichandramohan

 

That the Minutes of the January 4, 2010 Race Relations Committee be adopted as amended.

 

 

3.         DIVERSITY UPDATE

 

Ms. Cheryl McConney-Wilson, Diversity Specialist, spoke about various fundraising events being hosted by the cultural community to raise funds for the Haiti earthquake disaster fund.    She spoke about the Markham Miracle, a communitywide initiative to help build Haiti’s future (a joint fundraising initiative with the Free the Children Organization).

 

The Committee discussed when it would be an appropriate time to make an announcement to the community regarding the Town joining the Canadian Municipality Against Racism and Discrimination (CMARD).   There was discussion regarding incorporating the announcement into the 2010 Many Faces of Markham event. The Committee agreed that it would be a great opportunity to make the announcement, and believed that it may attract more media coverage to the event.

 

                          

Mr. Vilvan Gunasingham and the Diversity Specialist spoke about a conference they attended at York University regarding ending racial discrimination.   They advised that there were various members of CMARD at the conference.  Mr. Gunasingham spoke about a Thunder Bay Councillor who is a champion of the CMARD program in her community, advising that her efforts had greatly increased the percentage (32%) of .aboriginal employees working for the township.   It was explained that CMARD is an Umbrella organization leading all municipalities in matters regarding antiracism and discrimination.  Mr. Gunasingham spoke about how the City of Toronto has an anti-discrimination policy for all businesses it conducts business with. The new Members requested that the Committee Clerk circulate by email more information regarding CMARD.  The new Members were advised that the Race Relations Committee had requested that Council join CMARD in 2008. 

 

4.         SUB COMMITTEE UPDATE

 

4. A.    EVENT SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATE

 

The Committee discussed the 2010 Many Faces of Markham Concert.  The new Members were advised that the concert is held once a year to celebrate the diversity of Markham.  It was explained that the concert includes an art and writing competition for Markham school aged children and a speech by the Mayor.  Committee Members were advised that their assistance would be needed on March 27 (the day of the Many Faces of Markham event), and on February 28 for the judging of the art and writing contest.

 

 

4. B.     POLICY SUB-COMMITTEE

 

The Committee request that a CMARD Sub-Committee be created.

 

 

Moved by Liliana Soengas

Seconded by Carla Crooks

 

1)                  That a community announcement regarding the Town joining CMARD be incorporated into the 2010 Many Faces of Markham event.

 

CARRIED

Moved by Liliana Soengas

Seconded Vilvan Gunasingham

 

1)                  That a CMARD Sub-Committee be established.

 

 

5.         NEW BUSINESS

 

The Committee was advised that a celebration of Black History Month would be held on Feb 22, 2010 in the Council Chamber.  The Committee Clerk was requested to send an email to confirm the date and time of the Black History celebrations.  She was also requested to leave at Information Markham name tags for the Committee Members to wear on the day of the event.

 

The second meeting of the Race Relations Committee convened at 8:50 PM