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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO 08-25Report to Council Report Number: CAO 08-25 Date: May 26, 2025 From: Marisa Carpino Chief Administrative Officer Subject: Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce 2024 Year End Report and Proposed 2025 Workplan File: A-1440 Recommendation: 1.That Report CAO 08-25 regarding the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce 2024 Year End Report and Proposed 2025 Workplan be received for information; 2.That Council approve the 2025 3rd Annual Community event in celebration of the International Day for People of African Descent, 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 Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce-led 2025 Black Joy Holiday Market event, 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. Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to provide the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce (PABRT) 2024 Year End Report and 2025 Workplan to Council. The report also seeks Council’s endorsement of PABRT-led signature events, including the 2025 Black Joy Holiday Market event and the 2025 3rd Annual Community event in celebration of the International Day for People of African Descent. Additionally, it requests authorization for staff to issue a park permit in Esplanade Park for the 3rd Annual Community event. 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) outlines 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. CAO 08-25 May 26, 2025 Subject: Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Page 2 Relationship to the Pickering Strategic Plan: The recommendations in this report respond to the Pickering Strategic Plan Priority of Advocate for an Inclusive, Welcoming, Safe & Healthy Community; and Foster an Engaged & Informed Community. Financial Implications: For 2025, PABRT has an approved operating budget of $85,000. These funds will be allocated to the action area 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) $10,000 Contingency For unanticipated expenses $2,500 TOTAL $85,000 Discussion: The following list provides a summary of initiatives and activities that PABRT members have engaged in 2024. A. 2024 Year End Report: Together We Rise Durham: Black History, Intersectionality and Joy (February 1, 2024): The 2024 Together We Rise Durham: Black History, Intersectionality and Joy 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, Congress of Black Women Whitby/Oshawa, DurhamONE, Lakeridge Health, Municipality of Clarington, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, PABRT, The Township of Brock, Town of Ajax and Town of Whitby. The celebration took place at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex, bringing communities across Durham Region together for an uplifting evening of music, dance and a panel discussion featuring Debbie Miles -Senior, Dr. Andrew Bernard Thomas, Liza Arnason, and Shellene Drakes -Tull. Cultural Expressions 17th Annual Black History Month Celebration (February 3, 2024): PABRT partnered with Cultural Expressions Art Gallery to host the 17th 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. CAO 08-25 May 26, 2025 Subject: Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Page 3 Pride Durham Annual Pride Parade & Festival (June 2, 2024): PABRT members and the City of Pickering were proud partners in the 2024 Pride Durham Annual Pride Parade hosted in the Town of Ajax. With support from more than 15 City staff members from various departments, volunteer community members, family and friends, the City of Pickering was well represented while walking alongside the community. International Day for People of African Descent Community Celebration (August 31, 2024): PABRT hosted the 2nd Annual International Day for People of African Descent Community Celebration in partnership with Durham Family Cultural Centre (DFCC), Durham One, and Ifarada Centre for Excellence in Pickering’s Esplanade Park. The day included a Vendor Market with over 25 Black-Owned local businesses, a community Basketball tournament, cultural games and activities, and a painting workshop with local artist, Lois on Canvas. Durham Region Municipal DEI Symposium (October 26, 2024): Members of PABRT participated in the Durham Region Municipal DEI Symposium, hosted by the Durham Region Anti-Racism Taskforce in partnership with the Municipality of Clarington, City of Oshawa, City of Pickering, and Town of Ajax. Local committees, taskforces and working groups joined for a day of connecting, collaborating, and strategizing to share goals, plan for longer term sustainability and success, and work to collaborate more intentionally. 3rd Annual Black Joy Holiday Market and Afro-Caribbean Food Basket Initiative (November 15, 23, 24, 2024): PABRT partnered with the DFCC to join the City of Pickering’s first night of Winter Nights, City Lights Festival and Santa Claus Parade weekend, bringing the Black Joy Holiday Market to the community as a 3-day initiative beginning on November 15 and concluding with an independent wee kend on November 23 and 24 at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex. Open to all community members, the holiday pop -up market included over 90 Black-owned local businesses, artists, and performers, and had more than 4,000 people attend over its three days. The event coincided with a holiday food basket drive that provided Black families with culturally significant, Afro-Caribbean diasporic food baskets. A total of 340 food baskets were distributed to families experiencing financial hardship and/or food insecurity in the Durham Region. Community Presentations and Consultations: The Taskforce welcomed several community partners throughout the year to deliver presentations about various community initiatives and engage in consultation. These included: City of Pickering - Community Services Department (public art installations, museum exhibits, etc.), Ifarada Institute (Programs and Initiatives for Black Communities), PFLAG Canada, Durham Region (Programs and Events), and Cultural Expressions Art Gallery (Black History Month). Several of these presentations resulted in community collaborations, including the work plan. B. 2025 Workplan PABRT members have developed a new work plan for 2025 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 CAO 08-25 May 26, 2025 Subject: Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Page 4 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 Strategic visioning surrounding anti- black racism initiatives and impacts in the community. • Initiate and develop a final report with recommendations to address Anti-Black racism and anti-oppression in Pickering, for Council’s consideration. • Conduct community engagement and consultation with residents, organizations, and municipal leaders. 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, Ifarada, Durham One 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), 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. 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. CAO 08-25 May 26, 2025 Subject: Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Page 5 While discussions with PABRT are still ongoing to finalize event participation, and Council approval is required before these events can officially proceed. 3rd Annual Community Celebration for the International Day for People of African Descent Date: August, 2025 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, in partnership with the City of Pickering, 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 will also be used to advance PABRT’s strategic visioning initiative. 4th Annual Black Joy Holiday Market Date: November 14 &15, 2025 Location: Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex Budget allocation: $6,000 Description: In collaboration with the DFCC, PABRT will host its third annual Black Joy Holiday Market as a holiday pop-up market that showcases local Black-owned businesses. Following last year’s success, the event will be integrated into the existing “Winter Nights, City Lights” community festival hosted by the City of Pickering. This event will coincide with a holiday food basket drive coordinated by the DFCC 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 • adherence to the City’s Emergency Weather Standard Operating Procedure • hiring of site security and police officers to monitor event operations (if applicable) City of Pickering Events: PABRT will participate in the City of Pickering’s community events for Artfest (May 24 & 25, 2025) and Cultural Fusion (September 13, 2025) by providing information booths with small interactive activities to engage event attendees and raise community awareness around the PABRT initiatives. CAO 08-25 May 26, 2025 Subject: Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce Page 6 Attachment: None. Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By: Justine Wallace, Ph.D(c) Mark Guinto (Acting) Supervisor, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Division Head, Public Affairs and Corporate Communications MG:jw Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council Marisa Carpino, M.A. Chief Administrative Officer Original Signed By:Original Signed By: Original Signed By: