HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 20, 1996 MINUTES
A meeting of the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations and Equity was
held in the Pickering Civic Complex on Tuesday,August 20, 1996 at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Councillor David Ryan(Co-Chair)
Roland Rutland, Social Development(Co-Chair)
Staff Sergeant Gord McKechnie, Durham Regional Police
Jane Kiyonaga, Durham Separate School Board
Abou Nabe, Community Appointee
Donna Bovolaneas, Community Appointee
Fred Gibson, Community Appointee
Olivia Rose, St. Mary High School
Victoria George, Pickering High School
Stephen Reynolds, Town of Pickering
Margaret Donaldson, Recording Secretary
Regrets: Jack Gardner, Durham Board of Education
Donna Bovolaneas will try to join the meeting later in the evening
Roger Beckett
Ian Weber, Community Appointee
Dr. Khan
1. WELCOME
Councillor Dave Ryan welcomed all in attendance.
2. APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
MOTION:
Moved by Staff Sergeant Gord McKechnie
Seconded by Abou Nabe
That the Minutes of the May 21, 1996 Meeting be accepted as presented.
Carried
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3. BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES
Board of Trade Representation
Ms. Lesley Whyte has confirmed that she will be joining the committee as the
representative for the Board of Trade, but apologized for not being in
attendance this evening due to a prior commitment.
Roger Beckett(Durham Free Net)
Roger Beckett apologized that he could not attend due to work and advised he
would like to do a presentation of the Website at the next meeting.
Gord McKechnie asked if anyone had viewed the website. He suggested
committee members try to view it so that they could comment or any potential
changes at the next meeting.
Developing a Database
Steve Reynolds advised that Donna Bovolaneas has been working on this
project. She has contacted Joan Skelton of the Social Development Council
and was advised that Karla Rhodie's contract has been extended. Donna will
contact Karla and provide an update of data available from Community
Profiles at the September meeting.
Distributing Brochures through Schools
Jayne Kiyonaga advised that the Separate School Board is willing to
distribute copies of the "Harassment With Us All" brochure in September, to
all Pickering students.
Steve Reynolds commented that Jack Gardner had advised that the Durham
Board of Education is also willing to distribute the brochure to all their
students.
After various discussions it was decided that the brochures will be printed in
black and white and forwarded to the School Boards for distribution. If the
Boards want to copy them and distribute on a wider range the committee did
not have a problem with this.
Councillor Ryan thought the suggestion of forwarding 2 original copies to
each school for display and 2 copies to Parent/Teacher associations with a
letter asking for comments was an excellent idea.
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Steve Reynolds will compose a letter for review by Jane and Jack for brochure
distribution through the School Principals.
Councillor Ryan asked if committee members could put some thought into
how we can promote to the community at large. He suggested contacting the
book industry to see if we could produce a book mark.
GTA Race Relations Committee Correspondence
Various committee members felt that this GTA Race Relations Committee
appears to be a watchdog committee.
Abou Nabe advised that he had spoke to Ron Rock and he was advised that
originally the GTA committee was established as an advisory committee.
They do not have an mandate for action across the GTA.
Roland Rutland and Abou Nabe stated that they will still attend these
meetings.
4. IMPLICATIONS OF THE LOSS OF THE PROVINCIAL SENIOR
ADVISOR ON COMMUNITY AFFAIR'S POSITION.
It was suggested that a representative from the Ministry be invited to attend
the October meeting to review Ministry changes and priorities and the impact
on our municipality. Steve Reynolds will arrange.
Roland Rutland advised that the Ministry have now appointed a field
consultant for the Durham Region for Race Relations and Culture.
5. NEW BUSINESS
Roland Rutland advised that the Social Development Council have received a
$20,000 Grant from Levi Strauss for Race Relation in Durham. The Taking A
Stand Speakers Bureau is now winding down (copies attached to minutes).
The MECCA project has now come to an end. It has had a lot impact on the
community.
Roland also advised that there was an excellent display of chronicle 10 years
of Work in Durham in place in the foyer of the Pickering Recreation Complex.
The display will be moving to the Ajax Community Centre on August 21,
1996. Roland also advised that he attended the Town of Pickering Youth
Summer Drop in Program for youth ages 13-19 years old last week and played
the Race Relations Interaction Game. The youth were very motivated and the
game appealed to them. They had a lot of interesting questions.
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Jayne Kiyonaga advised that an Anti Racial Camp will be hosted by the
Oshawa Knights of Columbus. She will keep the committee posted.
Fred Gibson commended the Town of Pickering for the front cover of the
recent Town Brochure. It was an excellent representation of the Pickering
community.0
Donna Bovolaneas stated that the display at the Complex was fabulous and
very professional. Roland should be commended.
Donna Bovolaneas apologized for arriving late but asked if we could advise
her on the GTA Race Relations Committee discussion. Councillor Ryan gave
her an overview.
Donna then asked if she could read a report she had prepared and asked if a
copy could be distributed with the Minutes for members to review (please see
attached).
6. NEXT MEETING
Tuesday, September 17, 1996 - 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 22, 1996 - 7:00 p.m.
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