Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-01-28Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 28, 2021 C1ffb9Wfi Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee Thursday, January 28, 2021, 7:00 PM Microsoft Teams If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext 2131 Present: Councillor Ron Hooper Sajida Kadri Meera McDonald Lynsday Riddoch Rajeshwari Saharan Laila Shafi Yasmin Shafi Rachel Traore Dione Valentine Also Present: Erica Mittag — Community Development Coordinator Basia Radomski — Communications Manager (until 7:55 p.m.) The meeting called to order at 7:04 p.m. 1. Land Acknowledgement Rachel Traore read the Land Acknowledgement Statement. 2. Welcome and Introductions Rachel welcomed new and returning Committee members. She introduced herself as Chair and then all members shared an introduction. 3. Review of Agenda Moved by Laila Shafi, seconded by Meera McDonald That the agenda of the meeting of January 28, 2021 be approved Carried Page 1 of 6 Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 28, 2021 4. Review of Minutes Moved by Laila Shafi, seconded by Councillor Ron Hooper That the minutes of the meeting of November 26, 2020 be approved. Carried 5. Review Draft Statement on Symbols of Hate On December 14, 2020, in response to the Committee's recommendation, Clarington Council made the following resolution (#GG-469-20): That the Mayor and Members of Council of the Municipality of Clarington, in partnership with Clarington's Diversity Advisory Committee, release an Official Statement condemning the display of symbols of hate in our community; and That the Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee's request to prohibit public display of hate symbols be forwarded to the newly formed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Group at the Region of Durham, for their comments. Basia Radomski, Manager of Communications, was present to hear the thoughts and opinions of the Committee who provided input on the joint statement. The Committee supports the spirit of the statement; however, they would like to see actionable items included to add weight to the message. Members suggested that the intent is critical given the severity of the situation. The statement should address why the statement is being issued and should be action -oriented and include a timeline of activities. Moved by Dione Valentine; seconded by Lyndsay Riddoch That the draft statement that condemns symbols of hate in our community be referred back to Council for further discussion and consideration to include associated action items to support the message such as amending the sign by-law to include the prohibition of symbols of hate. Carried 6. Communications — Received for Information Township of Brock — Addressing Racism and Inequalities — received for information (circulated with the agenda). Durham Regional Police Services — Black History Month — received for information (circulated with the agenda). Page 2 of 6 Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 28, 2021 • Municipality of Clarington — Ward Boundary Review — received for information (circulated with the agenda). • Congress of Black Women — Black History Month — Youth Panel Discussion event — received for information. 7. Council and Community Updates Councillor Ron Hooper shared: Ward Boundary Review — following the recent Ward Boundary Review, Council has voted to retain the existing ward boundary structure at this time. It may be looked at again by a future Council. Council is currently considering the 2021 Budget. It should be ratified on February 8, 2021. There are concerns in the community about erratic driving. Staff are coordinating initiatives to address this concern. Outdoor Rinks — Thank you to volunteers, community members for coming together to make this happen, there are 2 locations for outdoor rinks in Clarington — one in Bowmanville near John M. James School and one in Courtice near Roswell Park. Rules for use of the rink including COVID-19 guidelines are in place and available at each site. Erica Mittag shared: Today, January 28, is Bell Let's Talk Day — This past year has been a challenging one for all of us. Bell Let's Talk Day encourages us to have conversations and check in with people we know, reach out to those who could be struggling. It's ok not to be ok, we're not alone. Clarington Council and Staff shared stories and messages of encouragement on our social media. Social media plan is launching next week to recognize and celebrate Black History Month. Follow Clarington social media for information, resources and links to virtual events that will be shared throughout the month. As well, Clarington's Diversity and Inclusion Staff Team have created a SharePoint site for staff to support their learning and appreciation for Black History Month. Clarington's Communications team has purchased credits for stock images that reflect a greater diversity including people with different abilities, ages and ethnicity. When we can safely gather once again, there may be a return to the discussion about photo shoots to obtain diverse images of our own community and residents. Page 3 of 6 Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 28, 2021 Clarington staff and some Council members are participating in a virtual Indigenous Cultural Awareness program over four weeks in February and March. These sessions have been designed and will be facilitated by the Enwayaang Institute for Professional Learning, Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies, Trent University for the Municipality of Clarington. 8. Update on Anti -Black Racism Subcommittee Meera McDonald shared this update on the work of the Anti -Black Racism Subcommittee: Social Media Plan • Completed the Social Media Campaign map of events/activities • Have the approval from the Diversity Advisory Committee to proceed with the plan • Information has been shared with the Communications department • The plan includes sharing stories of racism and discrimination on the Engage Clarington page. If anyone is comfortable sharing, please do so on the page. • One of the items from the Social Media Plan is to organize a virtual event. — Wednesday, March 31 st Training Policy Draft for the Expression of Interest has been created The subcommittee provided our feedback during our December meeting Anti -racism policy has been drafted and has been shared with the sub committee for feedback/comments Anti -black racism strategy was created for feedback There are 2 items that we need this committee's support on 1. Funding for Virtual Event -- $500 2. Approval to continue to work on allyship and anti -racism that are highlighted on the editorial calendar we created Moved by Meera McDonald; seconded by Rachel Traore That $500 be allocated to the Anti -Black Racism Subcommittee for the purposes of hosting a virtual event. Carried Page 4 of 6 Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 28, 2021 9. Community Support, Multiculturalism and Anti -Racism Initiatives Program Erica shared that an application was submitted by the Municipality to the Community Support, Multiculturalism and Anti -Racism Initiatives Program — Project Stream through the Department of Canadian Heritage for the purposes of developing a local network that will be engaged and consult on the creation of tools and training sessions that promote and engage in discussions on multiculturalism, diversity, racism and discrimination in our community. These training tools will be intended for use by municipal staff, community organizations and our community in general. There was great support from various community organizations who will be involved to consult on the project and participate in the future networking group. 10. LEAD Initiative Leading Equitable and Accessible Delivery. The Municipality of Clarington is collaborating with Abilities Centre to go through the LEAD process. The process looks to embed accessibility and inclusion into organization's policies, processes, strategy and culture. Currently forming a LEAD Working Group. Two members of Council — Councillor Jones and Councillor Hooper (as Council Liaisons to Accessibility Advisory and Diversity Advisory Committees) will participate in the LEAD Working Group. We are looking for a member of the Diversity Advisory Committee to join the LEAD Working Group to share their perspective towards the process as a resident; someone who accesses programs and services offered by the municipality and who is open to sharing their thoughts to help develop an action plan to move this initiative forward. The commitment includes two half days sessions in late March / early April, with another approximately 2-hour meeting in late April or May to review the recommendations. Dione shared that she is interested in representing the Diversity Advisory Committee on the LEAD Working Group. Erica will share further information with Dione, with thanks. 11. Committee Elections The Committee held an election for positions for the term of 2020-2021. Dione Valentine nominated herself for Chair. Meera McDonald nominated herself for Chair. No other nominations received. Meera McDonald is the Chair of the Diversity Advisory Committee for 2020 to 2021. Page 5 of 6 Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 28, 2021 Dione Valentine nominated herself for Vice -Chair. Rachel Traore nominated herself for Vice -Chair. No other nominations received. Rachel Traore is the Vice -Chair of the Diversity Advisory Committee for 2020 to 2021. Lyndsay Riddoch nominated herself for Secretary. No other nominations received. Lyndsay Riddoch is the Secretary of the Diversity Advisory Committee for 2020 to 2021. Carried 12. Other Business Moved by Councillor Hooper; Seconded by Rachel Traore That members whose terms have ended be thanked for their participation and contributions to Clarington's Diversity Advisory Committee. Carried The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Moved by Rajeshwari Saharan, seconded by Dione Valentine Carried Next meeting: Thursday, February 25, 2021, 7:00 p.m. Virtually — Microsoft Teams Page 6 of 6