HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO 05-26
Report to
Executive Committee
Report Number: CAO 05-26
Date: May 4, 2026
From: Marisa Carpino
Chief Administrative Officer
Subject:
Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce
2025 Year End Report and Proposed 2026 Work Plan
File: A-1440
Recommendation:
1. That Report CAO 05-26 regarding the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce 2025 Year
End Report and Proposed 2026 Work Plan be received for information;
2. That Council approve the 2026 4th Annual Community event in celebration of the
International Day for People of African Descent, proposed for August 28, 2026, per ADM
040 Committees and Taskforces of Council Policy, and on terms and conditions
satisfactory to the Director, Community Services and the Chief Administrative Officer;
3. That Council authorize staff to issue a park permit to the Pickering Anti-Black Racism
Taskforce for the use of Esplanade Park, per CUL 070 Community Festivals and Events
Policy, for the Community Event in celebration of the International Day for People of African
Descent; and,
4. That Council approve the 5th Annual Black Joy Holiday Market event on November 13 and
14, 2026, per ADM 040 Committees and Taskforces of Council Policy, and on terms and
conditions satisfactory to the Director, Community Services and the Chief Administrative
Officer.
1.0 Executive Summary:
The purpose of this report is to provide the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce (PABRT)
2025 Year End Report and Proposed 2026 Work Plan to Council. The report also seeks
Council’s endorsement of PABRT’s signature events, including the 4th Annual Community
event in celebration of the International Day for People of African Descent and the 5th Annual
Black Joy Holiday Market. Additionally, it requests authorization for staff to issue a park permit
in Esplanade Park for the International Day for People of African Descent Community Event.
A key component of the 2026 work plan is the development of a comprehensive Anti-Black
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Racism Action Plan, to be undertaken in collaboration with external consultants, Azmi and
Warner Consulting. This process will include community engagement and consultation key
informants identified by PABRT members, City staff and the consultants, and will serve as a
foundational strategic priority guiding the Taskforce’s work.
The Committees and Taskforces of Council Policy (ADM 040) requires that PABRT seek
Council approval to hold public events. Per Section 04.03 and 18.01 of ADM 040, this report
includes information about the month in which the event will be held, the purpose of the event,
budget and any other confirmed details.
Additionally, the Community Festivals and Events Policy (CUL 070) outline the criteria,
guidelines and processes by which requests to host events in City parks are received and
considered for approval. Per section 04.01 of CUL 070, as a “Signature Park”, community
event requests for Esplanade Park must be approved by Council.
2.0 Relationship to the Pickering Strategic Plan:
The recommendations in this report respond to the Pickering Strategic Plan Priorities of:
Advocate for an Inclusive, Welcoming, Safe & Healthy Community; Strengthen Existing & Build
New Partnerships; and Foster an Engaged & Informed Community.
3.0 Financial Implications:
For 2026, PABRT has an approved operating budget of $85,000. These funds will be allocated
to the action areas indicated below.
Action Area Description Budget
Consultation Strategic visioning around the anti-Black racism
initiatives and impacts in the community
$60,000
Community
engagement, events,
and partnerships
Collaborations with community partners through
events, meetings, and other initiatives
$12,500
Marketing and
promotions
Supplies and materials to support and promote
community engagements (e.g., signage, literature,
reports, printing)
$8,500
Contingency For unanticipated expenses (e.g., related to the
Consultation process)
$4,000
TOTAL $85,000
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4.0 Discussion:
The purpose of this report is to provide the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce 2025 Year
End Report and Proposed 2026 Work Plan to Council and to seek Council’s endorsement to
hold public events and permit Esplanade Park.
4.1 2025 Year End Report
Cultural Expressions 18th Annual Black History Month Celebration (February 1, 2025):
PABRT partnered with Cultural Expressions Art Gallery to host the 18th Annual Durham Black
History Month celebration at J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate in Ajax, celebrating the beauty of
Black culture and the diversity of the Black experience in Durham Region. PABRT provided an
information table as part of the community networking portion of the event to engage event
attendees and raise awareness about PABRT.
Together we Rise Durham: Resistance, Resilience, Possibility (February 5, 2025): The
2025 Together We Rise Durham: Resistance, Resilience, Possibility Black History Month
celebration was hosted by the Region of Durham, in partnership with Durham Regional Police
Service, Canadian Jamaican Club of Oshawa, City of Oshawa, City of Pickering, DurhamOne,
Lakeridge Health, Municipality of Clarington, Ontario Shores, Pickering Anti-Black Racism
Taskforce, Town of Ajax, Town of Whitby, Township of Brock and Township of Uxbridge. The
celebration took place at the Audley Recreation Centre, bringing communities across Durham
Region together for an uplifting evening featuring keynote speaker, Dr. Andrew B. Campbell,
performances and a celebration of champions, including awards for and recognition of
community members.
Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary International Women’s Day Celebration (March
30, 2025): The International Women’s Day Celebration hosted by the Royal Canadian Legion
Ladies Auxiliary took place in Pickering’s Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex to
bring together community members, thought leaders, and professionals across various fields
to highlight women’s achievements and empower women from all walks of life. PABRT was
invited to host an information table and the PABRT Chair, Denise David was invited to sit on
the discussion panel.
Pride Durham Annual Pride Parade and Festival (June 7, 2025): The City of Pickering and
PABRT Members represented the City of Pickering in the 2025 Pride Durham Annual Pride
Parade and Festival hosted by the Town of Ajax to walk alongside community members from
across the Durham Region.
Region of Durham Emancipation Day Celebration (July 30 2025): The 2025 Rooted in
Resilience: Embracing Empowerment Emancipation Day Celebration was hosted by the
CAO 05-26 May 4, 2026
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Region of Durham in partnership with the City of Pickering, Pickering Anti-Black Racism
Taskforce, City of Oshawa, Municipality of Clarington, Town of Whitby, Town of Ajax, Ajax
Anti-Racism Taskforce, Canadian Jamaican Club of Oshawa, Women’s Multicultural Resource
and Counselling Centre, Durham Family Cultural Centre, Ifarada Centre for Excellence,
Durham Community Health Centre, Cultural Expressions for Change, and Kenyan Women in
Canada Association. This family-friendly event took place in Esplanade Park, featuring live
performances from local talent and Black-owned local business vendors and community
organizations. This celebration was an opportunity to address anti-Black racism through
education on Emancipation Day and create an avenue for community members to connect and
learn in a welcoming and engaging environment.
Durham Opening Celebration Ceremony – Emancipation Day Freedom Train Ride (July
31, 2025): Durham Region’s first annual coordinated participation in the 12th annual
Emancipation Day Underground Free Train Ride was hosted by the Durham Family Cultural
Centre in partnership with the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce, Ajax Anti-Racism
Taskforce, and Blackhurst Cultural Centre. The opening celebration took place at the Durham
Family Cultural Centre Head Office, followed by chartered transportation to the Blackhurst
Cultural Centre’s Emancipation Day Underground Free Train Ride at Vaughan Metropolitan
Centre, to honour the abolition of slavery in the British Empire and the legacy of the
Underground Railroad in Canada.
International Day for People of African Descent Community Celebration and Movie Night
(August 27, 2025): PABRT hosted the 3rd Annual International Day for People of African
Descent Community Celebration in partnership with the Pickering Public Library's Anti-Black
Racism Working Group, Durham Family Cultural Centre (DFCC), DurhamOne, and in
Pickering’s Esplanade Park. The day included a resource village of local community
organizations, performances and cultural activities for all ages, concluding with a movie
screening in the Park of Drumline.
4th Annual Black Joy Holiday Market and Afro-Caribbean Food Basket Initiative
(November 14 and 15, 2025): PABRT partnered with the DFCC to join the City of Pickering’s
Winter Nights City Lights Festival, bringing the 4th Annual Black Joy Holiday Market to the
community as a 2-day initiative at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex. Open
to all community members, the holiday pop-up market included over 85 Black-owned local
businesses, youth entrepreneurs, artists, and performers, and had more than 3000 people
attended over its two days. The event coincided with a holiday food basket drive that provided
Black families with culturally significant, Afro-Caribbean diasporic food baskets, distributed to
families experiencing financial hardship and/or food insecurity in the Durham Region.
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4.2 2026 Work Plan
In 2026, a key priority of PABRT will be the development of a comprehensive Anti-Black
Racism Action Plan to guide its work moving forward. Following a competitive procurement
process, Council authorized the award of Request for Proposal No. RFP2025-1 to external
consultants Azmi and Warner Consulting on January 26, 2026 (Resolution #925/26).
The Action Plan will serve as a strategic roadmap to support the Taskforce, as a Committee of
Council, in advancing its mandate to address systemic and institutional anti-Black racism
within the City of Pickering. The development process will include research, community
engagement, and strategic planning to identify key priorities, recommended actions, and
measurable outcomes. The Action Plan is anticipated to be completed by January 2027 and
presented to Council for consideration.
This initiative represents a significant and foundational undertaking for the Taskforce and will
be the primary focus of its work in 2026. Key components of this work will include:
a. engagement with Azmi and Warner Consulting to establish a project framework,
timelines, and engagement strategy;
b. participate in facilitated sessions, workshops, and strategic planning exercises led by
the consultants;
c. support and promote community engagement activities, including consultations with
Black residents, community organizations, and equity-deserving communities;
d. provide input and feedback throughout the development of the Action Plan to ensure
alignment with community needs and the Taskforce mandate; and,
e. identify opportunities for ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and accountability mechanisms
within the Action Plan.
In addition, through key partnerships, events, and initiatives, PABRT will also work to build on
existing successes and advance their mandate to: enhance the shared experience and
opportunities of Black residents; implement tangible and sustainable actions to support the
prevention, reduction, and response to systemic and institutional anti-Black racism in
Pickering; foster transparency and accountability in identifying and addressing systemic and
institutional anti-Black racism within Pickering; identify and coordinate opportunities for
community engagement; and, celebrate, conserve, and promote the Black community and
Black culture, heritage, and history.
Action Area Description Deliverables
Consultation and
Co-design
Strategic visioning
surrounding anti-Black
racism initiatives and
• Co-design, review and endorse a final
report with recommendations to address
Anti-Black racism and anti-oppression in
Pickering, for Council’s consideration,
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Page 6
impacts in the
community
including a current state report, action
plan and implementation plan.
• Conduct community engagement and
consultation with key informants identified
by the PABRT members, City staff, and
the consultants.
Community
engagements,
events, and
partnerships
Collaborations with
community partners
through events,
meetings, and other
initiatives
• Nurture and develop new partnerships
with City of Pickering, Region of
Durham, Cultural Expressions,
Durham Family Cultural Centre,
DurhamOne and other municipalities
and service organizations.
• Plan and implement signature events:
Annual Community event in
celebration of the International Day for
People of African Descent and Black
Joy Holiday Market.
• Continued partnership in community
events such as those in support of
Black History Month (i.e. Together We
Rise Annual Black History Month
Celebration and Cultural Expressions
Black History Month Celebration),
International Women’s Day,
Emancipation Day and City of
Pickering events (i.e. Artfest, Cultural
Fusion, Winter Nights City Lights).
Marketing and
promotions
Supplies and materials
to support and
promote community
engagements
• Event signage, educational resources,
and other promotional and printed
materials.
• Event supplies for activations and
information tables at community events.
4.3 2026 Event & Permit Approvals
Per section 04.03 and 11.01 of the Committees and Taskforces of Council Policy (ADM 040),
“taskforces must seek Council approval to hold an event and each request to Council must
include the complete details of the event (e.g., budget, approximate number of staff required,
month the event would be held in, and purpose of the event).” The policy also requires that the
proposed event is in accordance with the Terms of Reference and mandate of the group.
While discussions with PABRT are still ongoing to finalize event details, Council approval is
required before these events can officially proceed. The following events and initiatives are
proposed and require Council approval for 2026.
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4th Annual Community Celebration for the International Day for People of African
Descent
Date: August 28, 2026
Location: Esplanade Park
Budget allocation: $4,000
Description: The International Day for People of African Descent commemorates the adoption
of the first declaration of the rights of people of African descent on August 31,1920, in New
York. In celebration of this historic milestone, PABRT, with the support of approximately 4 City
staff, will host a community gathering in Esplanade Park. The event will provide a platform for
Anti-Black racism community groups and Black-led service organizations to network and
engage with community members around programs, service and other initiatives. It may also
be used to advance PABRT’s strategic visioning and action plan initiative.
5th Annual Black Joy Holiday Market
Date: November 13 &14, 2026
Location: Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex
Budget allocation: $6,000
Description: In collaboration with the DFCC, PABRT will host its 5th annual Black Joy Holiday
Market within the existing “Winter Nights, City Lights” community festival hosted by the City of
Pickering. This event is an opportunity to uplift and economically support Black-owned
businesses and vendors, while creating an inclusive and celebratory space that centers Black
culture, entrepreneurship, and community connection during the holiday season. Building on
the strong community engagement the market attracts, the event will also coincide with a
holiday food basket drive coordinated by the DFCC with PABRT support, to address food
insecurity, alleviate financial hardship, and promote Black culture through the provision of
culturally relevant items.
City of Pickering staff from applicable departments support the events, in principle, subject to
various event requirements being met by PABRT during the event planning process. The
requirements may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• permit for rental facility (if applicable);
• proof of liability insurance (if applicable);
• rentals of event equipment and supplies;
• submission of site plan and emergency response plan;
• pre-registration that does not exceed capacity; and,
• adherence to the City’s Emergency Weather Standard Operating Procedure
hiring of site security and police officers to monitor event operations (if applicable).
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City of Pickering Events: PABRT will participate in the City of Pickering’s community events
for Artfest (May 23 & 24, 2026) and Cultural Fusion (September 12, 2026) by providing
information booths with small interactive activities to engage event attendees and raise
community awareness around the PABRT initiatives.
Attachment: None.
Prepared By: Deja Machado-Yew Woon, Community Engagement Coordinator, Equity,
Diversity and Inclusion
Approved/Endorsed By: Mark Guinto, Division Head, Public Affairs & Corporate
Communications
Approved/Endorsed By: Marisa Carpino, Chief Administrative Officer
Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council By:
Marisa Carpino, M.A.
Chief Administrative Officer