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Home My WebLink About2026-01-15If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131 1 Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC) Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 15, 2026 Online via MS Teams Members Present: Councillor Anderson B. Neblett (Chair) A. M. Tesluk B. Gruber D. Watt P. Gunti R. Hooper S. DeGrace S. Paguirian T. Shomar V. Wong Absent: K. Kassirer L. Reyes-Grange Also Present: D. Smith – Clarington Library, Museums and Archives N. Balakumar – Supervisor, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion The Meeting was called to order at 7:10pm. 1. Land Acknowledgement B. Neblett shared a personalized land acknowledgement statement. 2. Declaration of Interest No declaration of interest by members. 3. Review and Approval of December 11, 2025 Meeting Minutes The Committee approved the minutes with one amendment – to remove the community member’s name from the attendance list. 2 Moved by T. Shomar; seconded by V. Wong. That the minutes from the December 11, 2025, DAC meeting be approved with the amendment of removing the community member’s name from the attendance list. Carried. 4. Delegation on Expanding the Municipal Land Acknowledgement The scheduled delegation experienced technical issues and was unable to present. The Committee agreed to revisit her item later in the meeting to see if she would be able to re-connect. 5. Workplan and Priority Working Groups Discussion 5.1 Committee Workplan The Committee reviewed the updated working group selections. Two priority areas will guide committee work for the remainder of the year: Indigenous Initiatives and the Diversity Bursary Program. Members were encouraged to coordinate meetings within their groups and make adjustments as needed. The Staff Liaison confirmed the bursary funding remains the same as the previous years. 5.2 Community Delegation Request The Committee discussed a request from a community member seeking to present on EDI-related training. Members agreed the delegation would be valuable for awareness and community learning. N. Balakumar to respond to the delegation request and coordinate their presentation at a future meeting. 6. DEI Staff Updates The Staff Liaison provided an update in response to earlier concerns about hateful and divisive online activity targeting committee work and concerns around the safety and well-being of volunteers. Staff clarified requirements and procedures for the publication of agendas and minutes. Committee members were informed that online hate has escalated across the public sector, affecting many committees and staff teams. 3 The Municipality continues to monitor and moderate its official channels, follow established social media conduct policies and engage in ongoing regional discussions on this issue. Members discussed the impacts of harmful online behaviour on civic participation and reflected on potential areas for future advocacy. The Staff Liaison provided an update on the Black Vendor Village taking place on February 21, 2026 at Garnet B. Rickard. An opportunity to volunteer was shared with committee members. 7. Councillor Updates 7.1 Community Events and Conversations Councillor Anderson invited committee members to the Regional Black History Month Celebration on February 3, 2026 in Ajax. Committee members were also encouraged to attend upcoming discussions at Council on several community issues, including the waterfront development. 7.2 Concerns Around Misinformation and Islamophobia Councillor Anderson raised concerns regarding circulating online misinformation and harmful commentary targeting a new long-term-care development associated with a Muslim organization. The Committee held a discussion about community safety, Islamophobia, misinformation, the role of municipalities, and opportunities to respond collaboratively with other municipalities. Councillor Anderson will explore preparing a motion in collaboration with a councillor from Whitby. The committee intends to review and potentially endorse the statement once presented at GGC, similar to previous practice with the Elect Respect pledge. 8. Delegation Item Revisited – Land Acknowledgement Review The Committee discussed needing time to review the background materials submitted by the delegation, which included research suggesting the Wendat Peoples should be acknowledged in Clarington’s land acknowledgement. The Committee expressed the need for meaningful Indigenous consultation before making any changes and explored the ideas around broadening the land acknowledgement approach to ensure individualized reflection and ongoing change is captured. 4 The delegation will be invited to present via a hybrid format to ensure equitable participation. 9. Adjournment Moved by S. DeGrave; seconded by B. Grumer That the meeting be adjourned. Carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:22pm Next Meeting: Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 7:00pm (virtual)