HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 8, 2024 Page 1 of 7
Minutes/Meeting Summary
Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce
February 8, 2024
Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm
Attendees: C. Canzius
A. Fraser
O. Grignon B. Loiseau P. Martin V. Shaw
K. Hanson
D. David D. Dill K. Petrolo S. Mascoll
Z. Donaldson Mayor K. Ashe Councillor M. Brenner Councillor M. Nagy
Councillor L. Cook
J. Mariampillai, Government & Stakeholder Relations Specialist J. San Antonio, Senior Advisor, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (Staff Liaison) C. Addo-Bekoe, Manager, People and Culture (Staff Liaison) D. YewWoon, Community Engagement Coordinator, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
A. MacGillivray, Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
Absent: C. Russell
Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Welcome and Call to Order
O. Grignon called the meeting to order and read the Land Acknowledgement.
2. Review and Approval of Agenda
O. Grignon solicited feedback on the Meeting Agenda and suggested that Item 7.1, Black History Month
Update should be deferred to the March 7, 2024 Meeting and that a discussion around the “It Is Not Black and White” Opinion Editorial by Councillor L. Robinson should take the place of Item 7.1.
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)
Moved by K. Petrolo Seconded by P. Martin That the February 8, 2024 Meeting agenda of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce be approved, as amended.
Carried
3. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
4. Approval of Minutes
Moved by K. Hanson
Seconded by S. Mascoll
That the January 11, 2024 Meeting Minutes of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce be approved.
Carried
5. Presentations
5.1 J. San Antonio, Senior Advisor, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion & C. Addo-Bekoe, Manager, People & Culture
Re: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy Update J. San Antonio, Senior Advisor, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and C. Addo-Bekoe, Manager,
People & Culture provided an update regarding
the City’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy speaking to:
• the background events that have led to the
creation of the City’s EDI Strategy;
• the staff team working on the EDI Strategy;
• the key milestones in the process of
developing the EDI Strategy;
• the key learnings and themes uncovered through community consultations;
• the vision, mission, and the priority areas of
focus for the City’s EDI strategy; and,
• an overview of the next steps in the EDI Strategy process.
Discussion ensued between Taskforce Members and J. San Antonio and C. Addo-Bekoe
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)
regarding the key contributions that the Taskforce has made to the City’s EDI strategy and the need to continue the work.
C. Addo-Bekoe also announced that the February meeting would be her last attendance at monthly Taskforce meetings. She will continue to support the Taskforce and the
ongoing work with the rollout and implementation of the EDI Strategy. 6. Delegations
There were no delegations.
7. General Business 7.1 “It Is Not Black and White” Opinion Editorial by Councillor L. Robinson
O. Grignon provided a brief background regarding the “It Is Not Black and White” Opinion
Editorial by Councillor L. Robinson and indicated
that there was notable concerns from the public.
Mayor K. Ashe, Councillor M. Brenner, Councillor L. Cook, and Councillor M. Nagy commented on the Opinion Editorial by Councillor Robinson,
discussed potential courses of action, and
indicated that they stood behind the Taskforce in honouring Black History Month and their continued work in the community.
Discussion ensued amongst Taskforce Members,
Mayor Ashe, Councillor Brenner, Councillor Cook, and Councillor Nagy regarding the history of Black History Month in Canada and whether Members of Council can provide the Taskforce a
future update regarding potential courses of
action. O. Grignon concluded the discussion indicating that the Taskforce was currently considering their
options to respond to the Opinion Editorial.
7.2 Stipend & Project Work
Mayor Ashe and Councillor Brenner, Councillor Cook, and Councillor Nagy
indicated that they would keep the Taskforce appraised of any updates pertaining to the potential courses of action discussed.
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)
J. San Antonio provided an overview of the procedures for stipends that Taskforce Members may receive for attending Taskforce meetings and
undertaking approved project work.
Discussion ensued amongst Taskforce Members regarding whether stipends for project work undertaken in December 2023 had already been processed and clarification regarding how project
work is approved by the Taskforce. 7.3 2024 Work Plan O. Grignon provided an update regarding the
Taskforce Work Plan including:
• the proposed budget of up to $60,000.00 of additional funds from the City for the Consultation Action Plan Co-Design Project
Proposal;
• the consensus that the Taskforce would like to undertake the Consultation Action Plan Co-Design Project;
• the need for the Taskforce to identify the specific goals of objectives of the project; and,
• clarification that the Taskforce would like to
maintain their existing $25,000.00 budget for other initiatives within their Work Plan. Moved by S. Mascoll Seconded by A. Fraser
That the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce approve the following initiatives to be included in the Taskforce’s 2024 Work Plan:
a) Consultation Action Plan Co-Design Project;
b) Community Partnerships and Events, with a budget allocation of $12,500.00;
c) Marketing and Promotional Materials for the Taskforce, with a budget allocation of $10,000.00;
d) A Contingency Fund of $2,500.00.
Carried
J. San Antonio indicated that she would prepare the 2023 Year End Report and 2024
Work Plan document for the Taskforce’s review.
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)
7.4 2024 Executive Team Nominations J. San Antonio provided an overview of the
Executive roles on the Taskforce. Appointment of the Chair Members were invited to put forward nominations
for the position of Chair. O. Grignon nominated herself for the position of Chair.
Seeing no other nominations for the position of Chair, the nominations were closed. Moved by K. Petrolo Seconded by V. Shaw
That O. Grignon be appointed to the position of Chair of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce.
Carried O. Grignon provided remarks pertaining to her appointment.
Appointment of the Vice Chair
Members were invited to put forward nominations for the position of Vice Chair. D. David nominated herself for the position of Vice
Chair. Seeing no other nominations for the position of Vice
Chair, the nominations were closed.
Moved by D. David Seconded by K. Petrolo
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)
That D. David be appointed to the position of Vice Chair of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce.
Carried D. David provided remarks pertaining to her appointment.
Appointment of the Secretary The appointment of the Secretary was deferred
until further notice.
Appointment of the Treasurer Members were invited to put forward nominations
for the position of Treasurer.
S. Mascoll nominated herself for the position of Vice Chair.
Seeing no other nominations for the position of Vice Chair, the nominations were closed. Moved by D. Dill
Seconded by K. Hanson
That S. Mascoll be appointed to the position of Treasurer of the Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce.
Carried S. Mascoll provided remarks pertaining to her appointment.
Striking of the Community Partnership Subcommittee
Moved by C. Canzius
Seconded by K. Hanson 1. That the Taskforce strike the Community Partnership Subcommittee; and,
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)
2. That A. Fraser be appointed to the position of Chair of the Community Partnership Subcommittee.
Carried Striking of the Marketing & Promotion Subcommittee
Moved by D. Dill Seconded by D. David 1. That the Taskforce strike the Marketing &
Promotion Subcommittee; and, 2. That C. Canzius be appointed to the position of Chair of the Marketing & Promotions Subcommittee.
Carried
8. Correspondence
There was no correspondence.
9. Other Business
There was no other business.
10. Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for March 7, 2024 at 7:00pm in an electronic format.
11. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned.
Meeting Adjourned: 9:04 pm