HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 9, 2023
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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce
February 9, 2023
Electronic Meeting
7:00 pm
Attendees: Z. Adatia
A. Fraser
E. Gittens
O. Grignon
K. Hanson
F. Heath
J. Heath
N. Hepburn
K. Lopez
Sacha Singh, President & CEO, D&S Group
Stephen Mak
Melissa Reid
Aisha Heywood
Councillor M. Brenner
A. Gallagher, Conservator, Museum Operations
C. Addo-Bekoe, Manager, People and Culture, Pickering Public Library (Staff
Liaison)
J. San Antonio, Senior Advisor, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (Staff Liaison)
D. YewWoon, Community Engagement Coordinator, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
A. MacGillivray, Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
Absent: C. Farinha
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
1. Welcome and Call to Order
F. Heath welcomed everyone to the meeting and
called the meeting to order.
2. Review and Approval of Agenda
Moved by Z. Adatia
Seconded by O. Grignon
That the February 9, 2023 Meeting agenda of the
Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce be
approved.
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
Carried
3. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
4. Approval of Minutes
Moved by Z. Adatia
Seconded by O. Grignon
That the January 5, 2023 Meeting Minutes of the
Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce be
approved.
Carried
5. Presentations
5.1 Amanda Gallagher, Conservator, Museum
Operations Re: Project update on “Roots to
Rebellion”
Amanda Gallagher, Conservator, Museum
Operations provided an update regarding the
Roots to Rebellion Exhibit. Through the aid of a
PowerPoint, Ms. Gallagher provided an overview
of the exhibit’s background, objectives, themes,
and scope. She spoke to the rehabilitation of the
Log Barn and the outdoor amenities proposed
as part of the project. Ms. Gallagher spoke to the
proposed augmented reality features as part of
the Log House, the online component of the
exhibit and next steps involved regarding this
project.
Discussion ensued between Members and Ms.
Gallagher regarding:
• the accessible and easy-to-use nature of the
community feedback survey;
• the consultation efforts to date, and the
importance of compensation as part of the
process;
• how the exhibit will be marketed to the
schools, parents, and educators; and,
• the Taskforce’s general support for this project.
5.2 Sacha Singh, President & CEO, D&S Group
Stephen Mak
Melissa Reid
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
Aisha Heywood
Re: African Caribbean Long Term Care Home
Sacha Singh, President & CEO, D&S Group
provided introductory remarks, a comprehensive
overview of the process undertaken to date for
the proposed project and clarification regarding:
• the consultation of the First Nations of the
Williams Treaty, including Mississaugas of
Scugog Island, through the Envision
Durham Process;
• the developer’s request to the
Mississaugas of Scugog Island for further
consultation;
• the Carruthers Creek Watershed Plan
(CCWP), and the potential impacts and
mitigation measures identified with regard
to development within the Carruthers
Creek Headwaters;
• the subject land’s proximity to roads and
access to water; and,
• the cost of municipal sewer or septic
connection to be covered by the
developer.
F. Heath clarified that the intent of the discussion
was not to challenge the decision of Council
made on January 23, 2023 regarding this matter,
but rather to fulfill the Taskforce’s responsibilities
to provide input and action on matters relating to
the provision of Anti-Black racist initiatives within
the community. He further stated that the
discussion was not an endorsement for the
developer, but rather a conversation on a topic
brought to the Taskforce by members of
Pickering’s Black community.
Aisha Heywood provided introductory remarks
and spoke to statistics regarding racialized
individuals experiencing poor outcomes in
mainstream long-term care settings. She stated
the importance of culturally appropriate care in
improving outcomes for racialized individuals in
these homes, and spoke to the other ethnic long-
term care facilities that already exist in Ontario.
Ms. Heywood spoke to being a Pickering
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Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
resident, her experience caring for her aging
father, and the positive feedback received from
the community regarding the project. She
explained that further community consultation
would be occurring in a future phase of the
project, and spoke to the community’s overall
need and anticipation for this project.
Melissa Reid provided introductory remarks and
spoke to her certifications and experience in the
healthcare industry. She spoke to the Province’s
existing culturally-centred care facilities, the long
waitlists for these facilities, and the lack of any
Arfo-Caribbean homes or units in Ontario. Ms.
Reid stated that families often avoid placing their
loved ones in long-term care facilities because of
the lack of culturally appropriate care, and
explained the Province’s funding and bed
provisions for the project.
A question and answer period ensued between
Taskforce Members, Councillor Brenner, Mr. Singh,
Mr. Mak, Ms. Heywood, and Ms. Reid regarding:
• the Black population in Ontario, and whether
more Afro-Caribbean long-term care facilities
were planned elsewhere;
• the approximately 30% of proposed beds
being provisioned for the Afro-Caribbean
population, and whether this proposed facility
will truly be an Afro-Caribbean long-term care
facility given that not 100% of the beds will be
provisioned for Afro-Caribbean residents;
• whether the Black community was surveyed or
consulted regarding the planning and
development of the proposed facility to date;
• caution around the way that the Black
community is engaged around this proposed
project;
• whether the applicant would be willing to
withdraw the MZO request and perform more
community consultation;
• concerns around the funding timelines
associated with the project;
• concerns regarding the location of the
proposed facility, and lack of access to
adequate transportation and municipal
services;
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
• why the applicant did not propose the facility to
be built on municipally serviced land;
• concerns around funding for culturally
appropriate food and services for the proposed
facility;
• concerns regarding the visual renderings of
this proposed project in comparison to the
renderings of the proposed project at 2465
Brock Rd;
• concerns around the perception that the
applicant may be using the Black community
to advance the proposed project;
• clarification regarding the gifting of the land at
3060 Highway 7 for no upfront cost with a
lease back, and the inability for such an
arrangement at 2465 Brock Rd.;
• clarification regarding the proximity of other
developments and transportation services to
3060 Highway 7;
• the schematic and preliminary nature of the
visual renderings of the proposed project due
to the project’s timelines;
• the applicant’s willingness to work with the City
and the community regarding the proposed
project moving forward; and,
• whether services and supports should be
considered to assist the Black community to
age in place.
6. Delegations
There were no delegations.
7. General Business
Items 7.1 – 7.9 under General Business were not
considered, and were deferred to the March 2, 2023
Meeting for consideration.
See the Motion that was carried later in the Meeting.
8. Correspondence
There were no items of correspondence
9. Other Business
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
O. Grignon reminded Taskforce Members of the
application deadline of February 26, 2023 for the
currently underway for the next term of the PABRT.
O. Grignon provided an update on the Taskforce’s
Work Plan, and solicited Taskforce Members to
provide their input.
Discussion ensued with Taskforce Members
discussing:
• whether it is appropriate for the current
Members to be preparing a Work Plan for the
newly appointed Taskforce;
• concerns around the transition and continuity
of the Taskforce into the new term;
• opportunities to explore ways that former
members can be involved in the transition into
the new term;
• the feedback provided to City to address the
Taskforce’s needs as part of the ADM 040
Policy Review; and,
• the planned orientation to be provided to new
Members of the Taskforce in the new term.
Moved by O. Grignon
Seconded by N. Hepburn
That Items 7.1 through 7.9 under General Business
be deferred to the March 2, 2023 Meeting.
Carried
10. Next Meeting – March 2, 2023
The next meeting is scheduled for March 2, 2023.
11. Adjournment
Moved by Z. Adatia
Seconded by J. Heath
That the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
Meeting Adjourned: 9:33 pm
Minutes/Meeting Summary
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