HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 5, 2009
caq o¢i Minutes / Meeting Summary
iii AjLh. Pickering Advisory Committee
i in on Race Relations & Equity
PI ERI November 5, 2009
7:00 pm
Main Committee Room
Attendees: Marisa Carpino, City of Pickering
Kirk Mark, Community Appointee
Alma Sandoval, Hispanic Canadian Alliance of Ontario
Jason Amos, Pine Ridge Secondary School, [YOU]nity
Constable Keith Richards, Durham Regional Police
Tanya Taylor, Pickering Public Library
Linda Roberts, Recording Secretary
Absent: Councillor David Pickles, Chair
Raymond George Facey, Community Appointee
Fred Gibson, Pickering Carib Canadian Cultural Association
Chris Gordon, [YOU]nity
Steve Holt, Community Appointee
Philip Howard, Durham District School Board
Devinder Kaur Panesar, Community Appointee
Margaret Lazarus, Altona Forest Public School
Sethu Madhavan, Community Appointee
Sylvie Morel-Foster; Durham Catholic District School Board
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Item / Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items /Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as,
appropriate)
1. Welcome MC
M.Carpino welcomed members to the meeting and
introductions were made. Agenda action items were
reviewed and the October 1, 2009 minutes were approved.
2.0 Review and Approval
M. Carpino reviewed the agenda action items as follows:
• In Your Words & Expressions contest - invitations have
now gone out to the Montessori schools in addition to both
school boards.
• Noted new publication by the Region of Durham "the
Citizen" which is a multi-cultural information newsletter.
The submission for In Your Words & Expressions contest
was included on the front page of this new publication
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which also included some of the winning pictures.
• K. Richards noted the Region of Durham has initiated a
portal in which to access all public facilities - this is a
website for newcomers. M. Carpino mentioned that she is
also participating in this initiative.
• Location of meetings - M. Carpino noted she will try to set
u our December meeting in the Devi Mandir location.
3. Updates All
3.1) Heritage Day Celebration
M. Carpino provided a brief overview of the Heritage Day
celebrations which are held in February. She noted the
location has been booked in the Pickering Town Centre,
invitations have gone out as of November 2nd with a deadline
date of January 8, 2010.for participants. Advertising will also
appear in the Wednesday edition of the News Advertiser,
Media Release and Website.
3.2) Coffee House
M. Carpino explained the Coffee House is.an annual event
hosted by [YOU]nity. J. Amos provided the Committee with
an update on this event;
• Library has been booked for December 7 & 8 for
auditions - aiming for 17 performers
Event is open to the public
• December 18 is booked for the event, which is held in
the Auditorium at the Pickering Public Library
• Doors will open at 6:00 pm, with the event running
from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
• Still deciding on one of two themes - Winter
Wonderland or Around the World
• OPG has requested a form be completed for donation
purposes - they will be donating funds for the
purchase of shirts
• M. Carpino suggested the electronic form be J. Amos to action
forwarded to her and she would assist them in
completing it
• Unsure of the process for ordering the shirts J. Amos to involve B.
George of the
Pickering Public
Library who will work
with M. Carpino on
this.
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• M. Carpino also noted that she can forward the J. Amos to provide to
information for the press release as soon as possible, B. George or M.
and she will look after this as well Carpino
• J. Amos noted that Famous Players have donated
movie passes for the participants
• M. Carpino noted there is money in the budget to help
out with food and drinks
• M. Carpino encouraged, committee members to attend
in support of this event
• Still trying to determine which charity to support
3.3) 2010 Race Relations Forum
M. Carpino explained the format for this evening, noting it is
held in March, around the date for the International Day for
the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. She noted that last
year was the first year that the creative arts was added, and
that this would be included again this year.
M. Carpino shared the results from the email survey she had
forwarded to the Committee members for guest speakers.
She requested that we decide on a short list of potential
guest speakers tonight. The Committee decided to have Dr.
Jean Augustine as first choice and Farley Flex as second
choice.
M. Carpino noted that in P. Howard's email he had cautioned M. Carpino to confirm
that the Committee not choose someone solely based on Guest Speaker
popularity and visibility in the community. They should also
be well versed in diversity issues and had involvement in the
community as well.
3.4) Holiday Banners & Proclamation
M. Carpino advised the Committee that the process for the
banners in the Lobby of the Pickering Civic Complex has
been initiated. This stays up for the month of December.
She noted that a request to proclaim cultural celebrations
during November and December had been submitted for
consideration at the November meeting of Council.
She also noted that proclamations for Heritage Day and
Hispanic Heritage Month would also be going forward. K.
Mark cautioned the Committee about the use of the work
"Hispanic" There is some controversy over this wording.
M. Carpino asked that this be placed on the December
agenda for discussion M. Carpino to action
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4.0 Other Business
4.1) K. Mark informed the Committee that the Minister of
Education, Kathleen Wynn has undertaken a review of the
policies promoting safe and healthy relationship in schools.
He provided an overview of the findings from their research
and recommendations. He noted all schools must have an
equity policy in place by September, 2010.
4.2) K. Richards informed the Committee that the Police
Services has created a Language Identification Card. This is
a valuable resource tool as it allows citizens to indicate their
language, thereby enabling an interpreter to be available in a
timely manner. He noted that once the second phase has
been implemented, this will be posted at every point of
contact within the police services. K. Mark brought forward
concerns about the categories listed on the card. K. Mark
rovided an overview to the timeline and value of the project.
5 Adjournment/Next Meeting All
Next meeting to take place on December 3, 2009. Location to
be determined.
Meeting Adjourned: 8:35 pm
Copy: City Clerk
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