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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-27Clarftwn Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee Thursday, August 27, 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 Derryck Lamptey Meera McDonald Rajeshwari Saharan John Sawdon Rachel Traore Also Present: Erica Mittag — Community Development Coordinator Regrets: Ashfaque Choudhry Laila Shafi The meeting called to order at 7:03 p.m. 1. Land Acknowledgement Rachel Traore read the Land Acknowledgement Statement 2. Adoption of Agenda Moved by Meera McDonald, seconded by Sajida Kadri That the agenda of the meeting of August 27, 2020 be approved. Carried The Committee discussed whether meetings in person will be resumed. Erica to share information with the Committee once an update is provided. 3. Adoption of Minutes Moved by Councillor Ron Hooper, seconded by John Sawdon That the minutes of the meetings of July 23, 2020 be approved. Carried 4. Update on the Anti -black Racism Sub -Committee Meera provided update on the work of the Anti -Black Racism Subcommittee. The subcommittee met August 12; they discussed the priorities of their work being social media campaign development, policy review and development, training for municipal staff, Council, community. From subcommittee will come a plan that DAC will need to vote on. The subcommittee meets again on Wednesday, September 16 at 6:00 p.m. The subcommittee does not have any voting power; any recommendations made by the subcommittee will be shared with this Committee for decision making. Councillor Ron Hooper asked about whether information about the ongoing activities may be disseminated, so that the community may be aware. Rachel Traore commented that communications will be aligned with the Municipality's Communications division. 5. Diversity and Anti -Racism Clarington Web Presence. Erica Mittag shared that the Municipality's Communication division discussed the proposed relaunch of the Community Diversity Survey for updated feedback. Communications is suggesting the development of a webpage contained within Engage Claringtor dedicated to Diversity in Clarington which would highlight (among others) the work of the Diversity Advisory Committee, the Anti -Black Racism Subcommittee, the Community Diversity Survey and other relevant topics on which to interact with the community. Clarington Social media strategy would include ways to drive traffic to the Engage Clarington resource. Communication representative will also be attending the subcommittee meeting of September 16. 6. Council and Community Updates Councillor Ron Hooper shared: a) Pathways to Awareness offered (virtually) by St Paul's Church. Friday September 25 at 7:00 p.m. through to October 28, 2020. b) Black Lives Matter event held Saturday, August 22 at the outside space at the Town Hall (40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville). DAC members should be invited to / consider attending events like this to raise awareness of our efforts. c) Council has not met during the summer, but several meetings have been taking place. d) Municipality is still working on bringing in rural broadband over the next year. e) Durham Region Transit (bus services) are being restructured to be more "on - demand" instead of scheduled stops. Erica Mittag shared: g) Mayor Foster is hosting a Facebook event with residents on September 11 at 3:30 p.m. See Municipality of Clarington Facebook page for more details. h) Metrolinks looking for feedback by September 1. Erica Mittag will send out information. This was later confirmed as being consultation occurring outside of the Region of Durham. i) Clarington's Diversity and Inclusion Staff Team will be recognizing Orange Shirt Day which occurs September 30, 2020. There will be a flag raising ceremony, proclamation and story sharing. Erica Mittag will send out information as it becomes available. The Committee suggested complementing the planned activities with sharing of livestreams or videos of documentaries related to Orange Shirt Day on the Municipality's social media. Erica Mittag will share the idea with the Orange Shirt Day Working Group. The Committee discussed wearing orange shirts and take a picture showing our support. Erica Mittag will share the t-shirt ordering link with the Committee once available. j) Rachel Traore asked Erica Mittag if there was an update from the Municipal Solicitor on the status of the motion regarding symbols of hate. Erica will follow up and report back at the next meeting. 7. Diversity Lens Update — Initial Draft. Councillor Ron Hooper recently joined the Diversity Lens working group with Erica, Laila and Sajida. The City of Ottawa Equity and Inclusion Lens has been provided for editing and sharing, if the City of Ottawa and the City for All Women Initiative are cited. This full lens will be adapted for Clarington's use. Initial draft revisions were reviewed by the Committee and will be sent out to Members for feedback. Share thoughts and feedback with Erica Mittag by end of day Monday, September 21. Once the draft is finalized, a test of the tool with members of Clarington's staff team will be done and the feedback will be shared with the DAC. Once the final tool is available, the Diversity Advisory Committee can recommend it to Council for a wider launch. 8. Workplan Update The workplan needs to be reviewed by Members to see which pieces members can take responsibility for. Erica Mittag will re -share the workplan; Members are to review and provide feedback to Erica Mittag (who will compile) by end of day Monday, September 21, 2020. 8. Other Business a) Councillor Hooper shared his experience at a recent meeting of a residential association. Rachel Traore offered to provide support and the two will connect to discuss the matter further. b) Indigenous Event 2020 — Pathways to Awareness, Understanding and Right Relations presented virtually by St. Paul's Circle of Indigenous Friends and Advocates is occurring September 25 to October 28, 2020. Moved by Councillor Ron Hooper; seconded by Meera McDonald That the Diversity Advisory Committee will cover the cost of two attendees to represent the Committee at the event. Carried Members are asked to review the information email from Erica Mittag and confirm their desire to participate. c) Rachel Traore shared that she attended a meeting with Mayor Foster, Councillor Hooper and Erica Mittag to discuss the work and progress of the Diversity Advisory Committee earlier in August. Funding for upcoming planning and initiatives for the Committee was discussed. A motion will be going to Council at an upcoming meeting for consideration. The meeting was adjourned at 8:38 p.m. Moved by John Sawdon; seconded by Derryck Lamptey. That the meeting be adjourned. Carried Next meeting: Thursday, September 24, 2020, 7:00 p.m. Virtually — Microsoft Teams