HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-08-27Clarftwn
Clarington Diversity Advisory Committee
Thursday, August 27, 2020, 7:00 PM
Microsoft Teams
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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.
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