RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE FOR 2010

TOWN OF MARKHAM

 

Ontario Room, Markham Civic Centre

Monday, May 3, 2010
7:15 PM – 9:00 PM

 

MINUTES

 

 

ATTENDANCE:

 

Committee

Councillor L. Kanapathi

Theresa Coulter, Chair

Prashanth Scrichandramohan
Darius Sookram

Liliana Soengas
Shila Desai

Darius Sookram

Carla Crooks

Winnie Wales

Vilvan Gunasingham

 

Staff

Laura Gold, Committee Clerk

 

 

 

Regrets

Cheryl McConney-Wilson, Diversity Specialist

 

 

The fifth meeting of the Race Relations Committee was called to order at 7:18 p.m. with Ms. Theresa Coulter, presiding as Chair.

 

1.                  CHAIR’S OPENING REMARKS

 

The Chair welcomed Mr. Andrew Brouwer, Deputy Town Clerk, to the Race Relations Committee.

 

2.                  PRESENTATION ON DIVERSITY PLANS FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION

 

Mr. Andrew Brouwer, Deputy Town Clerk, provided a presentation regarding the Town’s diversity plan for the 2010 election (see enclosed presentation).  Some of the considerations included:

 

  • Engaging different demographic groups in Markham (e.g. youth, and seniors);
  • Continuing with online voting;
  • Holding information sessions on how to get on the voters list, and on what types of identification is required to vote;
  • Providing information in languages spoken in Markham other than English (e.g. Cantonese, and Tamil);
  • Having voting places that are accessible (note: this is now required by legislation);
  • Providing schools with election learning resources;
  • Utilizing the social media to engage voters (e.g. posting a video on YouTube)
  •  Recruiting different demographic groups to work on election day (e.g. university students, seniors, and persons with disabilities);
  • Using equipment that helps residents vote independently (e.g. individuals that are unable to use their hands may puff into a device to mark the ballot);
  • Partnering with organizations like Mobility Plus, and CNIB to have additional services that will increase voter ease for residents with disabilities(e.g. extended bus services) ;
  • Having translators at voting locations or election officials that speak other languages.

 

Questions and Discussions

 

A Member inquired what the voter turnout was at the 2006 election.  Mr. Brouwer advised that voter turnout was approximately 37%. He also inquired what the Clerk’s Department is doing to increase voter turnout.  Mr. Brouwer advised that the Clerk’s Department’s role is to engage Markham residents to vote, and to ensure that voting is accessible to all Markham residents, rather than increase voter turnout.

 

The Committee asked about the security of online voting.   Mr. Brouwer responded that every voting system has risks, explaining that these risks need to be managed.  He explained that these risks are managed through adding various security features.  Mr. Brouwer advised that the online voting system is also audited by an outside organization, which reviews the integrity of the system before and after the election.  He noted that this is the third time the Town will be offering online voting, and that there is no history of fraudulent behavior.  Mr. Brouwer advised that online voting is only offered for early voting due to limited resources, and to ensure that individuals can vote on voting day if any issues arise.  He reported that online voting will include information in the top 5 non-English languages spoken in Markham.

 

A Member believed it was important to engage young professionals to vote, and wondered how the Town plans to engage this demographic group.  Mr. Brouwer thought that social media may engage young professionals to vote.  Another Member thought it was important to engage residents to vote through their workplace.  Mr. Brouwer noted that larger employers located in the Town have suggested having voting places at their corporate headquarters, recognizing that many take advantage of online voting.  The Committee thought young professionals, and families could be engaged to vote in the following locations: gyms; Montessori’s, community centres, and at work.   There was a suggestion to have organizations appoint a champion to promote its staff to vote.

 

3.         MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 1, MARCH 1, AND APRIL 12, 2010 RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE

 

Moved By Vilvan Gunasingham

Seconded By Liliana Soengas

 

1)   That the Minutes of the Race Relations meeting held on February 1, 2010 be adopted.

CARRIED

 

Moved by Vilvan Gunasingham

Seconded by Winnie Wales

 

2)   That the Minutes of the Race Relations meeting held on March 1, 2010 be adopted.

CARRIED

 

 

Moved by Darius Sookram

Seconded by Theresa Coulter

 

3)   That the Minutes of the Race Relations meeting held on April 12, 2010 be adopted.

CARRIED

 

 

4.         CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

 

Mr. Gunasingham advised that he would like to make a motion under New Business.

 

 

5.         D IVERSITY UPDATE

 

Mr. Gunasingham advised that he and Mr. Srichandramohan attended a presentation on the proposed diversity plan, and provided their suggestion to the Diversity Specialist.  The Race Relations Committee requested that Human Resources provide an update with respect to the diversity plan at the next meeting.  The Committee noted it would like to review the plan before it is presented to Council.

 

 

6.         SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATES

 

6. A.    EVENT SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATE

 

The Chair reported that from this point forward the entire Committee should assist with planning and execution of the Many Faces of Markham event, noting that in the past it has been the responsibility of the event sub-committee.  The Committee agreed that all Members should assist with the event due to the scale of the event.  The Committee Clerk advised that next years Many Faces of Markham event will be held on March 20, 2010.

 

6. B.    POLICY SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATE

 

The Committee discussed activities it could undertake in the next year.  Some of these ideas included:

 

§  Having a booth at the Unionville Festival (to promote awareness of the Committee);

§  Participating in the Rickshaw parade;

§  Having a booth at the Milliken Mills Children’s Festival (to promote awareness about the Committee);

§  Assist the Town in engaging different cultural groups in Markham;

§  Educate ourselves on matters regarding diversity;

§  Improve understanding of the Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (CMARD).

 

The Committee agreed to email their ideas to the Chair before the next meeting.

 

7.         NEW BUSINESS

 

The Committee discussed the importance of having a Town of Markham Councillor be a Champion for CMARD.  Noting this would include being an active member of the Race Relation’s Committee, ensuring that Markham’s CMARD actions are deployed timely, representing the Town of Markham at CMARD conferences, and addressing the media on diversity matters.

 

Moved by Vilvan Gunasingham

Seconded by Lilianna Soengas

 

1)      That the Town of Markham appoint a Councillor to be a Champion for the Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (CMARD); similar to other municipalities in Canada.

CARRIED

 

The Committee noted that all Town literature should have pictures that are representative of the different cultural groups living in Markham.

 

8.         AJOURNMENT

 

The Race Relations Committee adjourned at 8:50 p.m.