HomeMy WebLinkAboutLGS-030-25Staff Report
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Report To: General Government Committee
Date of Meeting: September 8, 2025 Report Number: LGS-030-25
Authored By: Lindsey Turcotte, Committee Coordinator
Submitted By: Rob Maciver, Deputy CAO/Solicitor, Legislative Services
Reviewed By: Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO Resolution#:
File Number: By-law Number:
Report Subject: Appointment to the Accessibility Advisory Committee, Anti-Black Racism
Advisory Committee, Bowmanville Santa Claus Parade Committee, and
Diversity Advisory Committee.
Recommendations:
1.That Report LGS-030-25, and any related delegations or communication items, be
received;
2. That the resignation of Michael Kamstra, from the Accessibility Advisory Committee,
Rochelle Thomas and Dione Valentine from the Anti-Black Racism Advisory,
Jennifer Bheemsingh and Dory Strikwerda from the Bowmanville Santa Claus
Parade Committee, and Rochelle Thomas from the Diversity Advisory Committee,
be received with thanks;
3.That Sandra Kearns be appointed to the Bowmanville Santa Claus Parade
Committee for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed;
4.That the Committee consider the applications, in accordance with the
Board/Committee Management Policy, for appointments to the Accessibility Advisory
Committee, Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee, and Diversity Advisory
Committee, and that the vote be conducted to appoint the citizen representatives for
a term ending December 31, 2025, or until a successor is appointed; and
5.That all interested parties listed in Report LGS-030-25 and any delegations be
advised of Council’s decision.
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Report LGS-030-25
Report Overview
This report is intended to provide background information regarding the vacancies on the
Accessibility Advisory Committee, Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee, Bowmanville
Santa Claus Parade Committee, and Diversity Advisory Committee to assist in the
appointment process.
1. Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC)
1.1 The Accessibility Advisory Committee advises and helps the Municipality develop
strategies toward a barrier-free Clarington for people with disabilities. The goal is to
review Municipal policies, programs, and services to ensure they comply with provincial
accessibility standards. The Committee works to identify, prevent, and remove any
barriers faced by people with disabilities.
1.2 The Accessibility Advisory Committee is comprised of nine voting members appointed
by Council, including:
Eight citizen members; and
One member of Council.
1.3 The Committee requirements are as follows:
The majority of Committee members (at least 50 per cent) shall be persons with
disabilities. If this requirement is not met, the Committee can still meet while
vacancies are being advertised.
Members must be residents of Clarington.
Members must have awareness and knowledge of the Accessibility for Ontarians
with Disabilities Act (AODA) and its standards.
Members must have awareness and knowledge of disability and accessibility
issues.
Members must be familiar with Clarington’s goods, services, and facilities.
1.4 Personal support workers are welcome to attend meetings to provide support to a
person with a disability. However, personal support workers may not participate in
discussions independently and do not have voting rights.
1.5 Michael Kamstra was appointed to the AAC in February 2025, for a term ending
December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. In May 2025, the Clerk’s Division
received notification of their resignation.
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Report LGS-030-25
1.6 Currently, the AAC has 8 voting members; therefore Committee may appoint 1 citizen
for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. The following
have put forward an application for consideration:
Jagmeet Kohli
Valda Christian
2. Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee (ABRAC)
2.1 The role of the Clarington Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee (ABRAC) is to provide
advice to Council on issues related to anti-Black racism in Clarington. ABRAC Members
are responsible for providing strategic advice, feedback, and insight to Council about
the needs of the Black community, including businesses in Clarington, with a lens to
enhance access and inclusion for the Black community, contribute to the dismantling of
anti-Black racism, and support the unique needs of diverse Black communities in
Clarington.
2.2 The Committee shall be comprised of the following 12 voting members, appointed by
Council:
8 citizen members who self-identify as part of the Black community;
1 Youth member, between the ages of 16-24 years who self-identifies as part of
the Black community;
1 Member of Council; and
2 representatives from local organizations.
2.3 Membership will be sought on the basis of broad interest, understanding, and
commitment to identifying and addressing anti-Black racism in the Municipality.
Additional qualifications include:
Citizen and Youth Members shall be residents of Clarington.
Skills, knowledge, and lived experience needed to contribute effectively to the
purpose, mandate and scope of activity for the ABRAC.
Specific expertise and interests related to Black business, culture, education,
employment, health, heritage, and psychological and community safety, among
other areas.
2.4 Rochelle Thomas was appointed to the ABRAC in January 2025, for a term ending
December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. In June 2025, the Clerk’s
Division received notification of their resignation.
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Report LGS-030-25
2.5 Dione Valentine was appointed to the ABRAC in January 2025, for a term ending
December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. In July 2025, the Clerk’s Division
received notification of their resignation.
2.6 Currently, the ABRAC has 10 voting members; therefore, the Committee may appoint 2
citizens for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. The
following have put forward an application for consideration:
Angola Phillips
Dione LaFleur
Olajide Oni
Tosin Soremekun
3. Bowmanville Santa Claus Parade Committee (BSCP)
3.1 The Bowmanville Santa Claus Parade Committee is a Committee of Council,
responsible for organizing and conducting the annual Bowmanville Santa Claus Parade
and ensuring that an inclusive and safe parade event is planned and presented for the
community. The mission of the Committee will be accomplished through the provision of
advice and recommendations on Christmas parade matters, as well as hands-on work.
3.2 The Committee shall be comprised of the following 11 voting members, appointed by
Council:
10 citizen members; and
1 Member(s) of Council
3.3 Members appointed to the Committee shall demonstrate commitment to, and interest in,
the Clarington community; and be residents of the Municipality of Clarington, work in the
Municipality of Clarington, or have a place of business in the Municipality.
3.4 Jennifer Bheemsingh was appointed to the BSCP Committee in February 2025, for a
term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. In May 2025, the
Clerk’s Division received notification of their resignation.
3.5 Dory Strikwerda was appointed to the BSCP Committee in March 2024, for a term
ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. In July 2025, the Clerk’s
Division received notification of their resignation.
3.6 Mia Mansi was removed from the BSCP Committee at the June 23, 2025, Council
meeting (Resolution #C-153-25).
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Report LGS-030-25
3.7 Currently, the BSCP Committee has 8 voting members (of 11 required); therefore, the
BSCP Committee has 3 vacancies for a term ending December 31, 2026. The
Committee may appoint the following applicant or direct Staff to continue to advertise for
all three vacancies. If the Committee chooses to appoint the following applicant, Staff
will re-advertise for the two remaining vacancies.
Sandra Kearns
3.8 Staff received an additional application; however, they do not meet the age requirement
of 18 years old as outlined in Section 5.9 of the Board/Committee Management Policy.
The applicant is 14 years old, and as a result, the applicant is not being recommended
for appointment.
4. Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC)
4.1 The role of the Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC) is to provide advice to
Council on issues related to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism (IDEA),
specifically looking at ways to foster awareness, reduce barriers, promote inclusion and
engage residents.
4.2 DAC Members are responsible for providing strategic advice, feedback, and insight to
Council about the unique and diverse needs of the community, including businesses in
Clarington, with a lens to enhance access and inclusion and contribute to the
dismantling of discrimination and racism in Clarington.
4.3 The Committee shall be comprised of 13 voting members, appointed by Council:
9 citizen members;
1 youth member (16 to 24 years);
1 Member of Council; and
2 representatives from organizations
4.4 The Committee aims to represent a broad cross-section of underserved and equity-
deserving groups. This includes but is not limited to Indigenous Peoples; racialized
people; Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning,
Intersex, Asexual (2SLGBTQQIA+), and additional ways in which people choose to
identify; people of diverse ethnic or cultural origin; newcomers, or new Canadians.
4.5 Membership will be sought on the basis of broad interest, understanding, and
commitment to identifying and addressing inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism
issues. Additional qualifications include:
Citizen and Youth Members shall be residents of Clarington.
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Report LGS-030-25
Skills, knowledge, and lived experience needed to contribute effectively to the
purpose, mandate, and scope of activity for the DAC.
Commitment as a change-agent in inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism
matters in the community.
4.6 Rochelle Thomas was appointed to the DAC in March 2024, for a term ending
December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. In June 2025, the Clerk’s
Division received notification of their resignation.
4.7 Currently, the DAC has 12 voting members therefore, Committee may appoint 1 citizen
for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. The following
have put forward an application for consideration:
Ann Michelle Tesluk
Babajide Oresanya
Georgia Young
Kathy Lashley
Latanya Farquharson
Matthew McCready
Pankaj Panchal
Sienna Ragbar
5. Advertising and Applications
5.1 The Municipal Clerk’s Division placed an advertisement in local papers and on the
Municipality’s website, www.clarington.net/Commitees, to fill the vacancy on the
Accessibility Advisory Committee, Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee, Bowmanville
Santa Claus Parade Committee, and Diversity Advisory Committee.
5.2 To extend the reach of our advertisements for vacancies, the Clerk’s Division has
created a profile on the www.claringtonvolunteers.ca website. Vacancies on the
Accessibility Advisory Committee, Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee, Bowmanville
Santa Claus Parade Committee, and Diversity Advisory Committee were listed on the
Clarington Volunteers website.
5.3 In accordance with the “Board/Committee Management Policy”, a confidential
application package has been attached as Attachment 1.
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Report LGS-030-25
6. Financial Considerations
Not Applicable.
7. Strategic Plan
L.4.1: Increase opportunities for civic engagement and public participation.
8. Concurrence
Not Applicable.
9. Conclusion
It is respectfully recommended that Committee consider the vote to make the
appointments to the Accessibility Advisory Committee, Anti-Black Racism Advisory
Committee, Bowmanville Santa Claus Parade Committee, and Diversity Advisory
Committee, for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed.
Staff Contact: Lindsey Turcotte, Committee Coordinator, 905-623-3379 ext. 2106 or
LTurcotte@clarington.net.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Confidential Application Package (Distributed Under Separate Cover)
Interested Parties:
The following interested parties will be notified of Council's decision:
All Applicants
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee
Bowmanville Santa Claus Parade Committee
Diversity Advisory Committee