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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 9, 2023 Page 1 of 7 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. Page 2 of 7 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 Page 3 of 7 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 Page 4 of 7 Item/ Ref # 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; Page 5 of 7 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 Page 6 of 7 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 "[Click here and type Subject]" Page 7 of 7 "[Click here and type date]"