HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 6, 2022
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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Pickering Anti Black Racism Taskforce
October 6, 2022
Electronic Meeting
7:00 pm
Attendees: Z. Adatia
C. Farinha
A. Fraser
E. Gittens
O. Grignon
K. Hanson
F. Heath
J-D. Heath
K. Lopez
B. Elrington, Graduation Coach for Black Students, Durham District School Board
C. Addo-Bekoe, Manager, People and Culture, Pickering Public Library (Staff
Liaison)
J. San Antonio, Senior Advisor, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (Staff Liaison)
D. YewWoon, Community Engagement Coordinator, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
A. MacGillivray, Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
Absent: N. Hepburn
N. Sinclair
Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
1. Welcome and Call to Order
F. Heath welcomed everyone to the meeting and
called the meeting to order.
2. Review and Approval of Agenda
F. Heath brought forward an amendment to the
agenda to include discussion regarding an incident
the occurred to a racialized municipal election
candidate.
Moved by Z. Adatia
Seconded by K. Hanson
That the addition of a new agenda item to discuss
an incident that occurred to a racialized municipal
election candidate be approved.
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
Carried
Moved by O. Grignon
Seconded by K. Hanson
That the agenda for the October 6, 2022 Meeting of
the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce, as
amended be approved.
Carried
3. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
4. Approval of Minutes – September 8, 2022
Moved by O. Grignon
Seconded by K. Hanson
That the Minutes of the September 8, 2022 Meeting
of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce be
approved.
Carried
5. Presentations
5.1 Lucas Cabral, Coordinator, Public Art, City
of Pickering
J. San Antonio informed the Taskforce that Lucas
Cabral was not available to attend the meeting, and
that he would like to present at a future Taskforce
meeting.
5.2 Brian Elrington, Graduation Coach for Black
Students, Durham District School Board
Brian Elrington provided an overview of the
Graduation Coach Pilot Program for Black students
at the Durham District School Board.
Brian Elrington and members of the Taskforce
discussed:
• the Conference on the Future of Black Youth
Participatory Research Project, including the
project’s various themes, the facilitation of
focus groups, and the aim to influence policy
changes to improve the lives of Black youth;
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
• Taskforce members’ experience regarding the
use of a racial slur, and how use of this racial
slur can be discouraged amongst Black Youth
and the broader community;
• why only select schools have a Graduation
Coach for Black students;
• the similarities and differences between a
Graduation Coach and a Guidance Counsellor;
• what metrics are used to measure the impact
of the Black Graduation Coach Pilot Program;
• concerns regarding students losing exam-
taking skills as a result of COVID-19
disruptions;
• Toronto District School Board statistics
regarding suspension, graduation, and
academic performance and why Graduation
Coaches specific to Black students are
necessary; and,
• Promotion of the Taskforce’s upcoming Youth
Event on November 13th regarding resources
and supports for Black students applying to
post-secondary studies.
6. Delegations
There were no delegations.
7. General Business
Election Sign Vandalism Incident
O. Grignon provided information to the Taskforce
regarding a report that election signs of a racialized
candidate were vandalized in a potentially hate-
motivated nature, and the candidate’s experience
with the City and the Durham Regional Police Service
(DRPS) in trying to resolve the matter. She further
explained that the candidate reached out to the
Taskforce to see if there were any additional steps
that can be taken to address the issue.
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
Mayor Ryan provided an overview of the City’s
response, with the Taskforce discussing:
• the Mayor’s communication with the DRPS to
encourage the start of an investigation and
issuing of public communication regarding the
illegality of damaging election signs;
• the City’s inability to enforce criminal matters;
• the importance of the Taskforce in helping the
community navigate and address issues of this
nature;
• the City’s ongoing commitment to EDI ;
• whether there is an opportunity to improve
processes at the DRPS to ensure incidents of
this nature are handled with more sensitivity in
the future;
• the need to facilitate a relationship between
the Taskforce and the DRPS;
• the City’s intent to issue a communication
regarding vandalism to election signs; and,
• whether the City can solicit feedback from
candidates regarding their experience
following the election.
The Mayor expressed his thanks to Members of the
Taskforce for their work.
7.1 Community & Civic Engagement
Subcommittee
A. Fraser provided an update informing the Taskforce
that there may potentially be an event organized
around the holidays highlighting Black small business
owners.
7.2 Inclusive Governance Subcommittee
Mayor Ryan will reach out to
the DRPS Board to start the
conversation between the
Taskforce and the DRPS.
Mayor Ryan suggested the
Taskforce identify a
designated contact to liaise
with the DRPS.
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
F. Heath provided an update to the Terms of
Reference work and noted that Members will be
contacted for their feedback.
7.3 Youth Subcommittee
J-D. Heath provided an update regarding the
Taskforce’s upcoming event on November 13, 2022
regarding resources and supports for Black students
applying to post-secondary studies.
Members were asked to help promote the event in
their respective networks.
7.4 Communications Subcommittee
K. Hanson provided an update regarding the work of
the Communications Subcommittee including the
promotion of the upcoming Youth event, News
Advertiser Photo Day, and the billboards placed
around the City.
7.5 Powerfully Informed (Draft Report)
F. Heath provided an update regarding the Powerfully
Informed Draft Report and informed Members that it
has been sent to them by email for review.
Discussion ensued with Members discussing:
• the need to conduct the draw stipulated in the
survey and determine an effective and
transparent method of doing so; and,
• the six key areas identified in the report where
anti-Black racism is apparent in Pickering
including affordable housing, community
connectedness, education, healthcare,
policing, and youth.
7.6 Work Plan Update / Holiday Market
O. Grignon provided an update regarding the
Taskforce’s Work Plan with Members discussing:
• how most of the action items for 2022 were
accomplished;
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Item/
Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status
(include deadline as
appropriate)
• the future events approved by Council
including the Reaching Higher Youth Initiative
and the Black Joy Holiday Experience; and,
• feedback from community stakeholders for the
upcoming Work Plan.
7.7 Treasurer Update: Budget Approval Items
O. Grignon provided an update regarding the
Taskforce’s budget including:
• the amount spent overall from the Taskforces’
budget being $15,636.31; and,
• the request to the City’s Finance Department
to provide an update regarding the status of
the Taskforce’s budget.
8. Correspondence
9. Other Business
10. Next Meeting – November 3, 2022
11. Adjournment
Moved by K. Hanson
Seconded by Z. Adatia
That meeting was adjourned.
Meeting Adjourned: 9:10 pm