HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 3, 2004
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Minutes I Meeting Summary
PICKERING ADVISORY COMMITTEE
ON RACE RELATIONS & EQUITY
June 3, 2004
7:00 PM
Chair - Councillor Pickles
Attendees:
Councillor David Pickles
Joe Mitschang, Durham Regional Police Services
Kirk Mark, Community Appointee
Marisa Carpino, City of Pickering
Debbie Kearns, Committee Coordinator
Guests:
Sam Agu
Ida Fogo
Greta Rutty
Jennifer St. Aubyn
Alvin Adams
Regrets:
Jacqueline Moriarty
Item / Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items / Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
1. Welcome & Introductions
Councillor Pickles welcomed members and guests to the
meeting of the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race
Relations & Equity Committee.
2. Collaborative Opportunities
a) Canadian Tapestry Event
Laura Drake, Chair, Pickering Museum Village Advisory
Committee provided the background and an update on the
joint venture of the Pickering Museum Village Advisory
Committee and the Advisory Committee on Race Relations
and Equity entitled 'Canadian Tapestry - Weaving the
World Together. She advised that volunteers are required
for greeting at the entrances and to MC the events at the
bandstand.
b) Essav Writinq Competition
Councillor Pickles provided an outline of an Essay Writing
Competition event in conjunction with schools. This
competition would encourage students to write an essay on
the overall subject of discrimination with various topics for
students to chose from.
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Item / Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items / Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline 8S
appropriate)
The launching of this competition would take place in
October and would finish in mid January. An adjudication
committee would then review, over the next month, the
essays submitted and a presentation would be made to the
winnerlwinners at the March 21st "International Day for the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination" event.
3. Review of Committee Literature
Councillor Pickles advised of his intent to prepare a Report to Councillor Pickles to
Council on the activities and successes of the Race Relations & prepare report.
Equity Committee.
A lengthy discussion took place concerning the Mandate,
Terms of Reference, and Race Relations Policy. The following
are comments and suggestions put forward by Committee
members:
Kirk suggested that demographics of the community are
needed to properly address issues and identify who is being
employed and where they are coming from.
Kirk expressed the need for Council's presence at events and
their personal involvement.
A number of sources were suggested for acquiring information
and demographics:
;
a) Ted Shaw, Ontario Human Rights Commission - how many
complaints of racial discrimination over past year, past two
years, past five years. What actions have been taken on
hate crimes.
b) Urban Alliance on Race Relations - Current statistics.
c) North York, Scarborough, etc. - get a copy of their Annual Marisa to acquire.
Report .
d) Canadian Race Relations Foundation - Unequal Access
Report-2000.
4. Possible Event Opportunities
a) Kirk made the following suggests with respect to a youth
forum:
}r- a one day event from 9 am to 3 pm
}r- food and drinks would be provided
)r the event would consist of speakers and workshops
}r- who can be identified as leaders in the schools and
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Item I Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items I Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
community
Joe will gather information on other forums.
5. Other Business
a) Joe will contact Alvin with information concerning '0 Joe to contact Alvin
Tolerance' - Safe School Act.
b) Kirk commented on the new infusion of money to the school
boards and questioned what the Durham Regional Schools
are doing to address students at risk.
c) Alvin asked for the list of diversity trainers employed by the Marisa to provide
City for new staff.
6. Next Meeting
July 8th, 2004 - To be confirmed
Meeting Adjourned: 9:30 PM
Copy: 1. J. Quinn, Chief Administrative Officer
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