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Home My WebLink AboutLGS-023-26Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: May 4, 2026 Report Number: LGS-023-26 Authored By: Laura Preston, Temporary 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 and the Diversity Advisory Committee Recommendations: 1.That Report LGS-023-26, and any related delegations or communication items, be received; 2. That the resignation of Hawa Mire and Beatrice Kraayenhof from the Accessibility Advisory Committee and Lauren Reyes Grange from the Diversity Advisory Committee, be received with thanks; 3.That all interested parties listed in Report LGS-023-26 and any delegations be advised of Council’s decision. GG-094-26 Municipality of Clarington Page 2 Report LGS-023-26 Report Overview This report is intended to provide background information, regarding the vacancies on the Accessibility Advisory Committee and the 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 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 Hawa Mire was appointed to the AAC Committee in January 2023, for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. In February 2026, the Clerk’s Division received notification of their resignation. 1.6 Beatrice Kraayenhof was appointed to the AAC Committee in January 2023, for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. In April 2026, the Clerk’s Division received notification of their resignation. As a result of the vacancy, and what would be the required time to readvertise this vacancy will remain open for the remainder of the Council term. Municipality of Clarington Page 3 Report LGS-023-26 1.6 Currently, the AAC Committee has 7 voting members, therefore Committee may appoint 2 citizens for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. 1.7 Only one application was received from Gregory James who Committee may appoint. If Committee chooses not to appoint at this time, the vacancies will remain open for the remainder of this term of Council as there is no time to readvertise. 2. Diversity Advisory Committee 2.1 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. 2.2 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. 2.3 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 2.4 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. 2.5 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. •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. Municipality of Clarington Page 4 Report LGS-023-26 2.6 Lauren Reyes Grange was appointed to the DAC in January 2023, for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. In March 2026, the Clerk’s Division received notification of their resignation. 2.7 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. 2.8 Only one application was received from Maryam Irshad who Committee may appoint. If Committee chooses not to appoint at this time, the vacancy will remain open for the remainder of this term of Council as there is no time to readvertise. 3. Advertising and Applications 3.1 The Municipal Clerk’s Division placed an advertisement in the local paper and on the Municipality’s website, www.clarington.net/Commitees, to fill the vacancy on the Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Diversity Advisory Committee. 3.2 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 and the Diversity Advisory Committee were listed on the Clarington Volunteers website. 3.3 In accordance with the “Board/Committee Management Policy”, a confidential application package has been attached, as Attachment 1. 4. Financial Considerations Not Applicable. 5. Strategic Plan L.4.1: Increase opportunities for civic engagement and public participation. 6. Concurrence Not Applicable. 7. Conclusion It is respectfully recommended that Committee consider the appointments to the Accessibility Advisory Committee and Diversity Advisory Committee for a term ending December 31, 2026 or until a successor is appointed. Staff Contact: Laura Preston, Temporary Committee Coordinator, 905-623-3379 ext. 2106 or LPreston@clarington.net. Municipality of Clarington Page 5 Report LGS-023-26 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 Diversity Advisory Committee