Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 18, 1997 MINUTES A meeting of the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations and Equity was held in the Pickering Civic Complex on Tuesday,November 18, 1997 at 7:00 p.m. Present: Councillor Dave Ryan(Co-Chair) Roland Rutland, (Co-Chair) Ted Dionne, Durham Regional Police Service Ian Weber, Community Appointee Philip Matsushita, Pine Ridge Secondary School Donna Bovolaneas, Community Appointee. Norm Powers,Durham Board of Education Mobeen Khaja, Community Appointee Lynn Winterstein, Town of Pickering Margaret Donaldson,Recording Secretary Regrets: Jane Kiyonaga,Durham Separate School Board Dr. Phebe-Jane Poole,Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade Fred Gibson, Pickering Carib Canadian Cultural Association Roger Beckett, Community Appointee Jacqui Steer, Durham Board of Education Abou Nabe, Community Appointee Victoria George, Pickering High School Stephen Reynolds, Director of Culture&Recreation 1. WELCOME Councillor Ryan welcomed all in attendance and introduced Mr. Gary Renalli, from the Durham Board of Education. 2. APPROVE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 22, 1997 MEETING Motion: Moved by: Mr. T. Dionne Seconded by: Mr. M. Khaja That the minutes of the October 22, 1997 meeting be accepted. Carried 2 3. BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES Pine Ridge Secondary School event update for 1998 Black History Month Mr. Renalli advised that he had talked to Ms. Speaks in September. The cost per performance would be $800. He stated that these fees are negotiable. If there is a double performance the approximate cost would be $1,200. Mr. Renalli stated it was an excellent opportunity to promote Black History Month. He stated that Pine Ridge Secondary School and Dunbarton High School had already committed to having Ms. Speaks perform. Ms. Bovolaneas stated that she had a strong interest in the event but felt that the Race Relations & Equity Committee should be taking slower steps and that maybe the Committee could possibly look at ways and means of supporting this event by promoting or fundraising support. Mr. Renalli stated that they may possibly look for funding from the community. The dates for the Pickering performance would be February 24/25, 1998. Ms. Winterstein asked if one of the performances could be switched to an evening. Mr. Matshusita stated that if the Committee co-sponsors this event and opens it to the community a change of location may have to be found and if this occurs the schools would have to advise as soon as possible. Councillor Ryan stated that the timing of this event is close to the Race Relations Forum being held in March and the committee should keep focused on the March event. Ms. Bovolaneas agreed with Councillor Ryan and felt that it would be better to offer financial support or promote the event for the schools. She asked if the event was changed to evening performance would there be a charge for admission. Mr. Renalli stated he could not answer this question at this time as originally it was only going to be offered to students in the schools. Mr. Renalli asked Mr. Matshusita if he would ask Mr. Weaver if the school would consider holding an evening event and report back to Mr. Renalli. • 3 4. 1998 RACE RELATIONS FORUM Sub-Committee Report Ms. Bovolaneas distributed copies of the sub-committee minutes to committee members. Ms. Bovolaneas advised that the sub-committee had discussed and decided that the following groups should be contacted, Safe Community, local Sports Associations and Arts & Cultural Groups. Mr. Rutland stated that race relations are for everyone and we should take a lead role to get groups focused and thinking. Mr. Dionne said that diversity represents other issues besides skin colour. A discussion ensued on this item. Ms. Bovolaneas reviewed the event outline as discussed at the October 7th sub-committee meeting. Councillor Ryan gave a brief overview on the first Forum to advise new committee members. He suggested that we recruit speakers from the organizations to see what issues they run into instead of pointing fingers. Mr. Matshusita said race relations issues do occur in all areas and we should build on a pro-active leadership role. Mr. Dionne felt that the committee should make a peace keeping approach. Councillor Ryan stated that recurring theme is youth, maybe we need to address how groups are dealing with their issues. Ms. Bovolaneas suggested the preparation of a book that could be distributed to the audience at the Forum. She asked Mr. Khaja how their group had proceeded with financial support to produce their book. Mr. Khaja advised that the first book that had been printed, the paper had been donated and a grant of$1,000 had been received from MCOD. The art work was prepared by his son. For the second book a grant had been received from the Ministry of Culture. . . • 4 Mr. Dione and Mr. Khaja will investigate any grants available. Further discussion continued with Committee Members offering suggestions and ideas to Ms. Bovolaneas to take back to the sub-committee. 5. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF AJAX-PICKERING The Critical Path-- Defining a Race Relations Strategy for Durham Region Councillor Ryan congratulated Mr. Rutland and the Ajax Race Relations Committee on their Race Relations Policy. Mr. Rutland gave a brief overview of The Critical Path and advised that the purpose of advising the committee was that the Social Development Council was looking for feed back and support. After further discussions on this item Councillor Ryan gave agreement and support in principle of this strategy. 6. NEW BUSINESS Councillor Ryan advised that information on the Urban Alliance had been provided to Committee Members with their Agenda. Mr. Rutland advised that the Town of Ajax had now adopted their new Race Relations Policy. The Social Development Council luncheon of which Roy McMurtry was the guest speaker went very well. Ms. Bovolaneas expressed her thanks on the healthy discussion which took place with regards to the Forum. One concern she had was that there were quite a number of committee members who volunteered to join the sub- committee but only 3 members plus Ms. Winterstein attended the meeting. She stated that we do need to have more commitment for this sub-committee. 7. MEETING ADJOURNED - 9:45 p.m.