HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 12, 2026
Community Safety and Well-Being
Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Electronic Meeting
February 12, 2026 - 07:00 PM
Present:
L. Appelbohm
C. Bamford
M. Kenworthy
J. Larendowicz
D. Magagna
A. Muhammad
C. Paxton
A. Rizvi
M. Eskins, DARS Inc.
J. Kamalanathan, Durham Region
Councillor S. Butt
E. Knox, Community Safety and Well Being Advisor
J. Currie, Legislative Coordinator
Regrets:
K. Hamilton
P. Patel
Land Acknowledgement
E. Knox read the Indigenous Land Acknowledgment Statement.
Review and Approval of Agenda
Moved By C. Bamford
That the agenda for the February 12, 2026, Community Safety and Well Being Advisory
Committee Meeting be approved.
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Carried
Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
Approval of Minutes
November 13, 2025, Meeting Minutes
Moved By A. Muhammad
That the Minutes of the November 13, 2025, Meeting of the Community Safety &
Well Being Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
Delegations/Presentations
There were no delegations.
New Business
Homelessness Subcommittee Updates
M. Eskins provided a brief overview of the DARS, This is Home Documentary event,
noting that it was well attended and that feedback suggested the event may be
better suited as an evening event.
C. Paxton provided an update regarding events supported by the Committee in
2025 and and encouraged the Committee to continue supporting these initiatives.
C. Paxton invited Committee Members to offer suggestions for potential 2026
events.
A brief discussion ensued between Committee Members regarding:
holding events during the month of April, prior to the summer break;•
the high impact and positive reception of the Whiskers and Wellness event;
and,
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organizing a World Homeless Day event at the DARS Farmhouse in 2026,
independent of the Durham Region event.
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Moved By C. Bamford
That the Community Safety and Well-Being Advisory Committee endorses the
Homelessness Subcommittee's support of This is Home Documentary evening
screening, Whiskers and Wellness and World Homelessness Day Pickering event
in 2026.
Carried
Coldest Night of the Year 2026
Re: Raising Funds for Pickering – Durham Youth Services
E. Knox provided a brief overview of the City's involvement with the 2026 Coldest
Night of the Year event, highlighting fundraising and expanding the walking team by
inviting City staff to walk and donate. E. Knox invited members to volunteer by
joining the walking team or making a donation.
A brief question and answer period ensued between Committee Members and staff
regarding whether there were alternate volunteer opportunities in addition to
walking in the Coldest Night of the Year event.
DRAFT 2025 Year End Report and 2026 Work Plan
E. Knox presented the draft 2025 report and 2026 work plan noting that this was a
high level overview of the accomplishments of the last year and a pathway for the
work plan in 2026, and that it would be circulated for the Committee's review and
feedback.
A brief discussion ensued between Committee Members and staff regarding when
the report would be going to Council and the opportunity for Committee Members to
provide a delegation.
Moved By A. Muhammad
That the Community Safety and Well-Being Advisory Committee endorses the 2025
Year End Report and 2026 Work Plan.
Carried
Traffic Calming and Speed Enforcement Updates
E. Knox provided an overview of information received from N. Emery, Coordinator,
Traffic Programs & Operations, Engineering Services, regarding current traffic
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safety programs and initiatives.
A discussion ensued between Committee members and Staff regarding:
whether residents were following posted speed limits, noting that Council
recently approved developing a Pickering traffic calming policy in consultation
with an engineering firm;
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opportunities for the City to partner with local schools to deliver an education
program for parents related to traffic safety;
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the process for approving City bike lanes, including the criteria and factors
considered during evaluation; and,
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the potential for launching an education campaign regarding the safe use of e-
scooters.
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Training and Education
E. Knox provided a summary of various training opportunities that had been
supported by the Community Safety and Well-Being Advisory Committee,
highlighting the Egale Canada Workplace Inclusion Training, Workplace Inclusion
for Staff, Workplace Inclusion for Leaders, and Dementia Friendly Communities
Lunch and Learn.
Events and Programs
E. Knox provided an update regarding upcoming events and programs including a
community safety meeting for home and auto safety and the 24 hour street
outreach team.
E. Knox proved information pertaining to a community safety themed town hall
focused on engagement and situational awareness.
Discussion between Committee Members and staff ensued regarding whether the
situational awareness program could be offered to youth groups and ensuring
partnerships with the Region, DRPS, and other organizations to avoid duplication of
work.
Durham Region CSWB Updates
J. Kamalanathan, Durham Region, provided a summary of the new Durham Region
Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, outlining the historical background of the
initiative and noting that the updated Plan continues to build on the seven
established priority risk factors.
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Other Business
Councillor Butt emphasized the importance of increasing awareness of the Community
Safety and Well-Being Advisory Committee's events and programs among both new and
existing residents of the City of Pickering.
Councillor Butt further acknowledged the recent school shooting tragedy in British
Columbia and expressed concerns regarding mental health awareness and supports within
local schools.
M. Eskins provided the Alex Monaghan Foundation as a community resource offering
youth programming related to mental health in the City of Pickering.
M. Eskins raised concerns regarding the banning of individuals experiencing
homelessness from City properties due to behaviours that may be linked to mental health
challenges. M. Eskins noted an opportunity to develope guidelines and educational
materials to help individuals understand behaviours that could result in being restricted
from City properties.
Next Meeting - April 9, 2026
Adjournment
Moved By J. Larendowicz
That the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
The meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.
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