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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 8, 2012 City o¢► Minutes/Meeting Summary Advisory Committee on Diversity Thursday, November 8, 2012 PICKERING 7:00 pm Pickering Civic Complex, Main Committee Room Attendees: Kevin Ashe, Councillor, Ward 1 Kirk Mark, Chair - Catherine Reidt, Co-Chair Carlisle Miller, Community Appointee Christy Harper, Pickering Public Library Dave Marlowe, City of Pickering Jody Morris, City of Pickering L. Roberts, Recording Secretary Absent: Jacob Yacoumidis, Community Appointee Devinder Panesar, Community Appointee D. Garland, Aids Committee of Durham Keith Richards, DRPS Preet Panesar, Dunbarton High School • P. Anderson, Aids Committee of Durham Margaret Lazarus, Valley Farm Public School Fred Gibson, Pickering Carib Canadian Cultural Association Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref# (summary of discussion) (include deadline as appropriate) 1.0 Welcome & Introductions Kirk Mark K. Mark welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made around the table for the benefit of the guest in attendance. 2.0 _ Approval of Minutes Approval of agenda Moved by C. Reidt Seconded by C. Harper Carried Moved by C. Harper Seconded by C. Reidt That the minutes of the October 11, 2012 meeting of the Diversity Committee be approved. Carried Page 1 CORP0228-2/02 3.0 Business rising from Minutes Business Arising from Minutes K. Mark informed the Committee he had attended the Caribbean night dinner and dance, which was very well attended. He thanked Councillor Ashe for offering the tickets as he was unable to attend. D. Panesar also attended the event. K. Mark questioned whether there was anything that could be done on a Committee level to support the initiatives of this organization. It was suggested we invite them to attend a meeting in January. J. Morris provided an update on the previous request for a proclamation for Spiritual and Religious Care Awareness. She noted that a response had been received from the Human Rights Commission informing us it was not within their mandate to direct us on a decision in this matter. J. Morris informed the Committee that she had forwarded this back to the Mayor's office and noted they had not approved the proclamation request. 3.1) In Your Words Creative Arts Contest J. Morris provided an update with respect to the Creative Arts Contest. She noted she had confirmed MP Corneliu Chisu, Mike Johnson and Cathy Grant as judges. PRAC has also 0 been confirmed to judge the art submissions. She noted the submission deadline is December 3rd. The judges will be evaluating and choosing the winners on January 17th, 2013. Councillor Ashe questioned whether the labour dispute involving the teachers would negatively impact the contest this year. C. Reidt indicated she could contact two of the principals, both from the Public School Board to touch base with them and inquire about the contest. She noted they are both very supportive of this program. J. Morris noted she would contact the balance of school principals. The Committee felt hopeful that this outreach would be beneficial and that the labour disputes would have a minimal impact on this year's event. K. Mark questioned whether there was a contingency plan in place in the event that submissions are lower this year. J. Page 2 CORP0228-2/02 Morris noted this would not be feasible due to the timeframes with lining up the students. It was also noted that with December being a very busy month, it may not be beneficial to extend the deadline for submissions. J. Morris requested suggestions for speakers. It was the consensus of the Committee to contact Spyder Jones for guest speaker. J. Morris also noted she would contact Pinball J. Morris to action Clements for 2014. The date for the event will be March 20th, 2013 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the Council Chambers. 3.2) Heritage Day J. Morris provided an update on Heritage Day, which will be held on February 23, 2013 at the Pickering Town Centre from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. J. Morris noted that this year she was taking a different approach by contacting all previous performers personally prior to sending out the letters. This should be completed by mid November. She also noted [YOU]nity will have a table as well, and they are working on a Coffee House event possibly for January, 2013. K. Mark questioned whether we could approach various food vendors in the mall to donate vouchers for all participants, J. Morris/Councillor volunteers as well as performers. J. Morris to canvass. Ashe to action Councillor Ashe also noted he could make contacts. This could be a good incentive for participation. 3.3) Survey J. Morris noted that the City Solicitor had approved the survey. They are currently working on having it placed on the website. J. Morris to action She noted she would forward out the link once it has gone live. She has also contacted the News Advertiser. Discussion ensued with respect to a cut off time for the survey. It was suggested it run from mid November through to mid January, 2013. This will enable time for the college students to compile the results. It was also questioned whether a link could remain on the website once the survey deadline has passed, in order to allow feedback on the findings. This could include contact information for the Diversity Committee. It was also noted there should be a reminder go out in January Page 3 CORP0228-2/02 in the paper, as well as posted on the website, facebook and twitter. 4.0 New Business _ 4.1) Human Rights Commission D. Marlowe inquired whether the Committee had any suggestions for a topic for the Human Rights Commission to make a presentation on. He also noted the need to request something specific in order for them to send out a representative. He also explained the Human Rights Commission is more complaint driven. Discussion ensued with respect to various topics, as well as having a public forum which could be held at the Library or in the Council Chambers. It was also suggested the Accessibility Advisory Committee and Pickering Public Library be invited to partner with Diversity on this. A suggested time frame for the forum would be April, 2013. It was also noted that it could be quite helpful to have statistics from the Human Rights Commission regarding the trends over the years on complaints in the area. This would complement nicely with the survey results, and could prove quite helpful. Moved by C. Reidt That an invitation be extended to the Accessibility Advisory Committee as well as the Pickering Public Library to partner D. Marlowe to action with the Diversity Committee in coordinating a public forum with a representative from the Human Rights Commission. Carried 5.0 Correspondence 5.1) J. Morris noted Councillor Ashe had provided her with an J. Morris to action information sheet from Durham Region noting household statistics. She noted she would forward this out to the members. 6.0 Other Business 6.1) Councillor Ashe advised the Committee of the following upcoming events; • City of Pickering is hosting a Chinese delegation tomorrow • Correspondence was presented last month at Council requesting support for Durham Region to be an area in Page 4 CORP0228-2/02 which municipal administration is conducted in both English and French. This was referred to staff for a report. • Remembrance Day observance Sunday, November 11 at 11:00 am • Santa Claus Parade Saturday, November 10 6.2) J. Morris noted the Mayor's office has proclaimed November 13th as Diwali. She also advised she would be meeting with the Mayor's office with respect to upcoming proclamation requests. She also requested that Committee members forward her any additional proclamations that they J. Morris to action would like to see included. She noted she would email the listing out. 6.3) C. Harper requested that the Library be advised of flag J. Morris to action raisings. J. Morris noted she would inform the Mayor's office of this request. Discussion ensued with respect to the inclusion of aboriginal proclamations. K. Mark suggested having a delegation from the aboriginal community attend a meeting prior to June, 2013. C. Reidt noted she had been attempting to contact a delegation and would continue to do so. 6.3) Resident inquired about accessibility issues at the east side of Pickering Town Centre, near the cinemas. Councillor Ashe suggested he send an email to either himself or Councillor O'Connell as she sits on the Accessibility Advisory Committee. 6.4) The following meeting dates were set for 2013: • January 10 • February 14 • March 14 • April 11 • May 9 • June 13 J. Morris to action J. Morris will forward out a calendar with the meeting dates as well as events. 7.0 Next Meeting &Adjournment The next meeting will be held on January 10, 2013 Meeting Adjourned: 8:40 pm Page 5 CORP0228-2/02 Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref# (summary of discussion) (include deadline as appropriate) Copy: City Clerk Page 6 CORP0228-2/02