HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 7, 2010
caq o¢~ Minutes
Pickering Advisory Committee
i i on Race Relations & Equity
PICKERING January 7, 2010
7:00 pm
Main Committee Room
Attendees: Councillor David Pickles, Chair
Steve Holt, Community Appointee
Devinder Kaur Panesar, Community Appointee
Kirk Mark, Community Appointee
Jason Amos, Pine Ridge Secondary School, [YOU]nity
Chris Gordon, [YOU]nity
Margaret Lazarus, Altona Forest Public School
Constable Keith Richards, Durham Regional Police
Tanya Taylor, Pickering Public Library
Marisa Carpino, City of Pickering
Linda Roberts, Recording Secretary
Absent: Raymond George Facey, Community Appointee
Alma Sandoval, Hispanic Canadian Alliance of Ontario
Sethu Madhavan, Community Appointee
Fred Gibson, Pickering Carib Canadian Cultural Association
Philip Howard, Durham District School Board
Sylvie Morel-Foster, Durham Catholic District School Board
Item / Details &'Discussion ' & Conclusion Action Items/ Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
1.0 Welcome MC
Councillor Pickles welcomed members and guests to the
meeting and introductions were made.
2.0 Guests
Councillor Pickles informed the Committee that guests were
in attendance from William Dunbar Public School to promote
their outreach project Destination Imagination.
Debra Davis, a teacher at William Dunbar Public School
informed the Committee she was the coordinator for
Destination Imagination and indicated her attendance tonight
was in support of the students.
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Students from William Dunbar Public School introduced
themselves and provided the committee with an overview of
Destination Imagination;
• Chose multiculturalism as their outreach project
• To raise awareness and acceptance of
multiculturalism
• Have connected with two schools globally - China and
Africa to help raise awareness
• Community partners will play a large role
The students indicated the Race Relations Committee could
possibly assist by;
• attending a school assembly
• advise on the City's perspective
• provide information on statistics relating to
multiculturalism
• hold events
• provide contact information
A question and answer period ensued
C. Gordon made note of the March break camp which the
Race Relations subcommittee [YOU]nity hosts. M. Carpino
explained the work of high school students and [YOU]nity.
She noted the diversity of Pickering and the involvement of
the various groups stating they could also provide very useful M. Carpino to action
information. She will forward contact information for these
groups as well as statistics on multiculturalism along with a
summary of activities.
Councillor Pickles noted the essay contest., explaining the
format for the evening. He will forward a copy of the
publication to the group. He also extended an invitation to
the various events hosted by the Race Relations Committee.
M. Carpino requested DI provide her with details of the
events and the role of the Committee and also to let us know
when dates have been set. She noted these events could be
posted on our website link.
DI will be participating in the Ontario Championship on April
10, 2010 and will be representing Canada at the Global
presentation as well. They are the only team in Canada
addressing these issues.
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3.0 Review and "Approval
M. Carpino reviewed the agenda action items and the
December 3, 2009 minutes were approved.
Discussion ensued with respect to requests for
proclamations. It was the consensus of the Committee to
submit requests for proclamations on an individual basis
which would provide more focus on the individual event.
It was requested that a list of proclamations to be recognized M. Carpino to action
for the upcoming year be available at the next meeting.
Councillor Pickles suggested the location of the Mosque on M. Carpino to action-
Brock Road for our next meeting or possibly just a tour.
Councillor Pickles noted recent media reports about the
matter of the scattering of ashes. He also noted that this
matter was raised by the Devi Mandir at the Committee tour.
Councillor Pickles provided an update noting the Province
approved the scattering of ashes on Crown land. This matter
has been the subject of some confusion in recent media
reports and resident inquiries. Clarification is being sought
by the Province and TRCA regarding the scattering of ashes
in certain locations including Duffins Creek. The City will
review the matter further once it has further information. The
Committee asked to be updated
4.0 Durham International Festival All
M. Carpino provided an overview of the discussion which was
held at the December meeting. A number of issues were
raised and it was decided more information was required
prior to committing.
The Committee expressed a general interest in the concept,
and it was the general consensus that the Committee M. Carpino to action
participate subject to obtaining further information regarding
the logisitics of the events.
Discussion ensued and M. Carpino noted she would request
further information with respect to the proposed events prior
to the Committee making any commitments.
5.0 Update
Coffee House
C. Gordon provided an update with respect to the Coffee
House event. This was held on December 18th and was a
huge success. The time of year worked out well with
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$185.00 being raised. Famous Players had also provided
donations for this event. The funds will go to the Refuge, a
Christian Centre that works with youth. The event was also
covered by Pickering News Advertiser. Due to the large
turnout this year, it was suggested a new location would be
needed for next year. Two possibilities noted were the
Petticoat Creek Community Centre as well as the Council
Chambers in the Civic Complex.
C. Gordon inquired about items which were purchased for
this event and M. Carpino indicated he could contact B.
George at the Pickering Library for the storage of these
items.
Receipts from the event were given to M. Carpino. C.
Gordon noted [YOU]nity was looking into having one more
youth focused event during the year, possibly a film contest.
Suggestions were offered for this such as an improv or a
speakers corner.
M. Carpino requested C. Gordon to provide her with the C. Gordon to action
preliminary information for the March Break camp as soon
as possible.
Heritage Day
C. Gordon noted he had a performer wanting to participate
and will provide M. Carpino with the information.
M. Carpino informed the Committee she had received
information from A. Sandoval from the Hispanic Alliance of
Ontario expressing their interest in having an information
booth at Heritage Day. She also noted other artists which
were interested in performing. M. Carpino has the contact
information and will notify them accordingly.
M. Carpino noted the event would take place in the Centre
Court at the Pickering Town Centre on February 20th from
11:00 am to approximately 4:00 pm with opening ceremonies
at 1:30 pm.
A brief discussion took place with respect to the location and
the displaying of booths.
Members were encouraged to come out and participate and
help man the booth.
Race Relations Forum
M. Car ino provided an update on the Race Relations Forum
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to be held on March 24 at 7:00 pm She noted a total of 122
written submissions, 39 creative arts and 2 media clips have
been received. She noted the lack of judges for the media
clips and S. Holt indicated he could possibly provide M. Carpino/S. Holt to
assistance with this. M. Carpino will provide the 2 media clip action
submissions to him.
M. Carpino noted this year submissions have been received
from the Durham Catholic District School Board as well.
Judging will take place on January 13 for the creative arts
segment and January 22nd for the written submissions.
Letters will then be sent out to the winners the following
week.
M. Carpino requested clarification on compensation for the
guest speaker. The consensus was to provide an
honorarium the same as in the past.
Councillor Pickles invited Committee members to join him in
speaking as well on the night of the event and K. Mark and C.
Gordon offered to assist with this.
K. Mark offered to introduce the guest speaker.
6.0 AdjournmentlNext Meeting All
The next meeting will be held February 4t", 2010..
Meeting Adjourned: 9:10 pm
Copy: City Clerk
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