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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-06-25Clarftwn Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee Thursday, June 25, 2020, 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 Laila Shafi Rachel Traore Also Present: George Acorn — Director, Community Services Erica Mittag — Community Development Coordinator Lee -Ann Reck — Manager, Client Services Presenters: Reverend Michelle Brotherton Roberta Ransom Lauren Reyes -Grange Regrets: Ashfaque Choudhry Absent: Derryck Lamptey Rajeshwari Saharan John Sawdon The meeting called to order at 7:06 p.m. 1. Land Acknowledgement Rachel Traore read the Land Acknowledgement Statement 2. Presentations a) Reverend Michelle Brotherton and Roberta Ransom presented on behalf of St. Paul's Circle of Indigenous Friends and Advocates. Their group is committed to developing a deeper appreciation for and understanding of Indigenous culture, history and current reality. Their goal is to engage church communities in Clarington and to reach to the broader community. Roberta Ransom shared information about their event this fall: Indigenous Awareness Days. The event will be held virtually with a kick-off event on Friday, September 25 and various speakers and sessions throughout the month of October. b) Lauren Reyes -Grange spoke to the Committee about her experiences as a Clarington resident. Lauren recognized the Committee issued a statement speaking out against anti -Black racism, however felt the timing took too long and lacked urgency. She shared recommendations for visibility on social media. Erica Mittag will share these concerns with the Municipality's Communications Team. Lauren voiced concerns about hate symbols seen in the community. She would like to see a by-law passed to address these symbols. Rachel Traore accepted her concerns on behalf of the Committee and shared that the Committee is working with the Municipality to put anti -Black racism plans in place. 2. Adoption of Agenda Moved by Meera McDonald, seconded by Councillor Ron Hooper That the agenda of the meeting of June 25, 2020 be approved as amended. Carried 3. Adoption of Minutes Moved by Laila Shafi, seconded by Sajida Kadri That the minutes of the meetings of May 28 and June 4, 2020 be approved. Carried 4. Update on Presentation to General Government Committee Rachel Traore provided an update on the presentation she made on behalf of the Committee to General Government Committee on Monday, June 22, 2020. The presentation was well received with supportive comments and questions from Mayor Foster and Members of Council. 5. Council and Community Updates Councillor Ron Hooper shared: a) The Municipality of Clarington approved Report FND-108-20 which includes a $2 million package consisting of a Community Improvement Plan and a Temporary Property Tax Relief Program b) Communications have been received by the Mayor and Councillors' Offices addressing various concerns about racism and suggestions of ways to take action. Should there be communications that require support from the Committee, the Municipality's Communications team could be connected with Rachel Traore and Meera McDonald (Note: Through Erica Mittag, Community Development Coordinator). Upon further discussion, the Committee felt that a subcommittee should be formed (of existing Committee members as well as previous Committee applicants and community members who have reached out) to address this important work and that other members of the community (i.e. past Committee applicants and presenters) could be invited to participate. Representation from the Committee is still to be determined. Moved by Laila Shafi, seconded by Meera McDonald That a subcommittee to focus on anti -Black racism be formed and that anti - Black racism be included in the training strategy that is being developed. Carried c) The Durham Black Accountability Coalition has requested a meeting with Mayor Foster. He would like Rachel as the Chair of the Diversity Advisory Committee to join him at this meeting. d) Regional Chair John Henry has sent out a media release stating a Durham Region Town Hall event will be held later in the summer to discuss anti -Black racism. Dates to be confirmed. e) Chief of Police, Paul Martin of the Durham Regional Police Services issued a statement which included actions the DRPS has committed to in our community to address systemic racism and discrimination. f) The Municipality of Clarington is conducting a Ward Boundary Review. The public is invited to participate. Virtual information sessions are being held and an online survey is available. Visit www.clarington.net/WardBoundarvReview for more information. Erica Mittag shared: g) The Municipality of Clarington approved the Community COVID-19 Relief Program which provides support to non -profits and volunteer organizations. h) Recently and internal staff Diversity and Inclusion Team was approved. Member recruitment is currently underway. The Team will develop an action plan and will work in collaboration and simultaneously with the Diversity Advisory Committee. 6. Anti -Racism Initiatives Rachel Traore shared that the Committee should be looking out for funding programs that support anti -Black racism initiatives. The Federal Government, through the Department of Canadian Heritage recently had an Anti -Racism Action Progran available. Should this come available again, the Committee should ensure they are able to react and apply for funding. 7. Diversity Lens Erica Mittag is working on the template with guidelines to facilitate the development of the framework and content of the aspects of a Diversity Lens. This will be shared by email in the coming weeks. Any Committee Members who would like to assist the Diversity Lens working group will be welcome to do so. 8. Other Business a) Councillor Hooper shared that the Municipality has been contacted by a group looking to organize a rally in support of Black Lives Matter on Sunday, July 5, 2020. The Mayor is scheduled to meet with the organizer. George Acorn shared that the Municipality is not sure how to support the event considering current Provincial Orders that prohibit social gatherings of more than 10 people. George will follow up with Mayor Foster. b) Rachel Traore asked the Committee Members about the opportunity to meet in the summer months. The Members felt a meeting would be needed in July. The next meeting of the Diversity Advisory Committee is now scheduled for July 23, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. Moved by Laila Shafi seconded by Meera McDonald That the meeting be adjourned. Carried Next meeting: Thursday, July 23, 2020, 7:00 p.m. Virtually — Microsoft Teams