HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-24Clarftwn
Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee
Thursday, September 24, 2020, 7:00 PM
Microsoft Teams
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Present:
Ashfaque Choudhry
Councillor Ron Hooper
Sajida Kadri
Derryck Lamptey
Meera McDonald
Rajeshwari Saharan
Laila Shafi (arrived at 7:30 p.m.)
Rachel Traore
Also Present: Erica Mittag — Community Development Coordinator
Absent: John Sawdon
The meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m.
1. Land Acknowledgement
Rachel Traore read the Land Acknowledgement Statement
3. Review of Agenda
Item number 4 — Committee Elections was moved to the bottom of the agenda to
ensure any late entrants may participate in discussion.
Moved by Meera McDonald, seconded by Sajida Kadri
That the agenda of the meeting of September 24, 2020 be approved as
amended.
Carried
4. Review of Minutes
Moved by Sajida Kadri, seconded by Councillor Ron Hooper.
That the minutes of the meetings of August 27t" be approved.
Carried
5. Communications — Received for Information
Erica Mittag shared a letter for information shared by the Municipality of West
Grey (circulated with the agenda).
6. Update on Anti -Black Racism Subcommittee
Meera McDonald reviewed proceedings of the most recent subcommittee work.
Rachel Traore shared that any work or recommendations made at the
subcommittee level would be brought to the Diversity Advisory Committee for
approval prior to implementation or further recommendation.
7. Durham Black Accountability Coalition Meeting
Rachel Traore reviewed the response and recommendations in the petition
shared by the Durham Black Accountability Coalition (circulated with the
agenda). Members are asked to review in detail and advise which
recommendations should be endorsed or partially endorsed. Provide feedback
to Rachel as soon as possible. Councillor Hooper will confirm with Mayor Foster
if the Region of Durham has endorsed the recommendations within the petition.
8. Diversity and Inclusion Clarington Web Presence
Erica Mittag shared the draft main page of Clarington's new Diversity and
Inclusion engage page. This web presence will work in concert with / alongside
related social media. Erica will share a PDF of the main page for feedback by
Members on the suggested wording.
9. Diversity Lens Update
Erica Mittag advised that no feedback has been received from the Members on
the draft of the Diversity Lens. If there is any additional feedback to share,
please email to Erica. Clarington's Diversity and Inclusion Staff team working
group did give some valuable feedback. Diversity Lens working group will
compile the feedback and continue working on developing the draft.
10. Council and Community Updates
Councillor Ron Hooper shared:
a) Council held its first hybrid (all virtual / some in person attendance)
Council meeting since March.
b) Clarington's Ward Boundary Review is in progress. Read / review /
share feedback is requested. ittps://engageclarington.ca/ward-boundary-
review
c) Conference event at St Paul's United Church for Indigenous communities
had a pre -conference event September 23; conference and month -long
learning begins September 25. Rachel Traore and Derryck Lamptey are
attending on behalf of Clarington's Diversity Advisory Committee and Erica
Mittag is also attending.
Erica Mittag shared:
d) Orange Shirt Day is Wednesday, September 30.
e) Town of Whitby Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee is hosting a
free virtual event for Anti -Black Racism - September 29 at 6:30 p.m.
f) A confidential report addressing the motion regarding prohibiting symbols
of hate is going to General Government Committee at their meeting on
Monday September 28.
11. Funding Update
A recent motion was introduced and subsequently ratified allocating $20,000 to
support Diversity Advisory Committee workplan items, mainly to develop the
strategic plan and the training component. Funds are earmarked for 2020 Fiscal
Year, however, Erica will confirm with Finance Department what the deadlines
are regarding spending the funds. Next steps will be to solicit input via an
expression of interest.
12. Workplan Update
No update at this time. Further information to be discussed at a future meeting.
13. Committee Elections
Members discussed the current terms of Members on the Committee and
discussed the possibility of delaying elections to the first meeting of the new year
(January 2021) when all 8 community members will be in their terms for 2 or 4
years.
Moved by Laila Shafi, seconded by Rachel Traore
That the Staff Liaison will liaise with Clerk's department and determine whether
we can temporarily appoint a Vice Chair and delay elections until January 2021
Carried
14. Other Business
a) Orange Shirt Day is recognized Wednesday, September 30. The Municipality
of Clarington is collaborating with Bawaajigewin Aboriginal Community Circle
who is selling orange shirts. Members would like to take photos in orange
shirts and share messages about commitment to the legacy of residential
schools. Erica Mittag will pick up the shirts on Monday, September 28 and
will coordinate delivery or pick up by Members. Share your photo with Erica
Mittag by Tuesday September 29.
Moved by Laila Shafi, seconded by Meera McDonald
That the Committee purchase orange shirts for Members from their 2020
budget.
Carried
b) Flag raising for Mississauga of Scugog Island First Nations flag in recognition
of Orange Shirt Day being held with COVID protocols in place on Thursday
October 1 at 11:30 a.m. in the cenotaph at the Municipal Administrative
Centre, 40 Temperance Street.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
Moved by Derryck Lamptey, seconded by Laila Shafi
Carried
Next meeting: Thursday, October 22, 2020, 7:00 p.m.
Virtually — Microsoft Teams