HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-07-13Clarftmn
Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee
Thursday, July 13, 2023, 7:00 PM
Via Microsoft Teams
If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility
Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext 2131
Present: Councillor Granville Anderson
Pranay Gunti
Ron Hooper (until 8:15 p.m.)
Lyndsay Riddoch
Aaliyah Ruddock
Andaleeb Shafi
Yasmin Shafi
Tenzin Shomar
Also Present: Erica Mittag — IDEA Officer
Regrets: Meera McDonald
Lauren Reyes -Grange
Dione Valentine
The meeting called to order at 7:05 p.m.
1. Land Acknowledgment Statement
• Aaliyah shared Clarington's Land Acknowledgment Statement.
2. Declarations of Interest
• There were no declarations of interest shared by members.
3. Review and Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Pranay Gunti, seconded by Lyndsay Riddoch
That the agenda of the meeting of July 13, 2023, be approved.
Carried
4. Adoption of Minutes
Moved by Pranay Gunti, seconded by Ron Hooper
That the minutes of the meeting of May 25, 2023, be approved.
Carried
5. Council Updates
• Council on summer recess until September.
• Reggae concert was offered to community which had approximately 1,500
participants.
• Cricket pitch going in Memorial Park Courtice.
• As more and more diverse events and activities are offered in the community,
hearing concerns from residents.
• Emancipation Day event Tuesday, August 1, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00
p.m. at Audley Recreation Centre in Ajax. Offered by the Region of Durham,
municipal partners, and community organizations.
6. Community Updates
• Kickstart Program open to a wider audience — eligibility has been expanded to
reach more people by August 31, 2023. Includes free access to fitness,
swimming and skating; women's only swim July 21, activity loan kits.
www.clarington.net/kickstart
• Throughout the month of June, Clarington & Library, Museums, and Archives
staff collected food and clothing donations for Durham Alliance Outreach which
provides a food pantry and clothing closet for people to shop in safety for items
they need.
• Staff also held a donut fundraiser, raising $90 for PFLAG Canada Durham
Region.
• Jack Saddleback event has been rescheduled to September. Information will be
shared with Members who may like to join.
• Drag Queen Story Time at Clarington Public Library in June was a success with
a good turnout from the community and support from staff counterparts from Ajax
Public Library.
• Preparing for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
• Partnering with Durham Community Health Centre (formerly Carea Community
Health Centre) to offer a Big Drum Social in Clarington at Garnet B. Rickard
Recreation Complex on Saturday, October 21, 2023.
7. Committee Terms of Reference Update
• Clerks Department is reviewing and updating all terms of reference for
Committees and Boards of Council for consistency and to include Land
Acknowledgment provision.
• Revisions are being considered by Council in September; would be a good idea
for Members to support the revisions.
• Members updated language to include meeting would occur without quorum after
15 minutes but no business decisions made; updates only provided.
• Question remains about quorum numbers — wording seems ambiguous.
Moved by Yasmin Shafi, seconded by Pranay Gunti
That the updated Terms of Reference are supported by the Diversity Advisory
Committee.
Carried
8. Anti -Black Racism Task Force
• Vacancies identified within Task Force. Applications received from community.
• Number of positions was discussed.
Moved by Lyndsay Riddoch, seconded by Councillor Anderson
That the Task Force membership be increased to nine members.
Moved by Ron Hooper, seconded by Pranay Gunti
That Carlene Honigan, Nadia Nembhard-Hunt, and Omobolanle Adesanya be
appointed to the Anti -Black Racism Task Force.
Moved by Yasmin Shafi, seconded by Aaliyah Ruddock
That the existing members, Lauren Reyes -Grange, Angela Todd -Anderson and
Hawa Mire, be appointed to the Task Force
10. Clarington Anti -Racism and Discrimination Strategy
• Public engagement occurred between May 23 to June 30, 2023
• Over 350 recorded responses received; thank you to Committee members for
sharing out with your networks.
• Three focus groups were held with 24 individuals representing 12 community
organizations or agencies that provide programs or services to Clarington
residents.
• Next steps include data review, develop action plan recommendations, bring
drafts back to Anti -Black Racism Task Force, Diversity Advisory Committee and
community for concurrence.
• Share with Council for their endorsement later in 2023.
• Working group meeting Thursday, July 27 at 11:00 a.m. (virtually). Committee
Members are welcome to be involved in the next steps. Tenzin Shomar and
Yasmin Shafi will be included. Pranay is representing the Anti -Black Racism
Task Force.
11. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Webpage Overview
• Yasmin provided an overview of the webpage that is being developed.
• Page provides resources to support the identification and actions to take when
experiencing racism.
• Feedback was received by the Task Force. Committee members added
providing Durham Region resource for immediate support in crisis, and provide a
quick summary of material, look at incorporating technology to provide audio /
video of the material. This information could then be utilized by schools and
other organizations to support their staff, volunteers, and participants / students.
12. Workplan
• Members reviewed the draft 2023/2024 workplan and provided additional details
for workplan items.
13.Other Business
• Diversity Advisory Committee will not meet in August and will reconvene on
Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
• Event Booths — would the Committee like a booth at upcoming events:
o Emancipation Day, Tuesday, August 1, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at
Audley Recreation Centre, Ajax.
o Applefest, Saturday, October 14, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(Bowmanville)
Moved by Aaliyah Ruddock, seconded by Pranay Gunti
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Next meeting: Thursday, September 14, 2023, at 7:00 PM
Hybrid — in -person and / or via Teams