TENTH MEETING OF THE

RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE FOR 2010

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room, Markham Civic Centre

Monday, January 10, 2011 - 7:15 p.m.

 

MINUTES

ATTENDANCE:

Committee
Theresa Coulter, Chair

Councillor L. Kanapathi

Prashanth Scrichandramohan
Liliana Soengas
Winnie Wales

Vilvan Gunasingham

 

Staff

Cheryl McConney-Wilson, Diversity Specialist

Darshika Patel – Committee Clerk

 

Regrets

Shila Desai

Carla Crooks
Darius Sookram

Jason Tsien

 

 

The tenth meeting of the Race Relations Committee was called to order at 7:25 p.m. with Ms. Theresa Coulter, presiding as Chair.

 

 

1.                  CHAIRS OPENING REMARKS

 

2.                  MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE MEETINGS HELD ON NOVEMBER 1, 2010.                                                                              

 

Moved by Vilvan Gunasingham

Seconded by Winnie Wales

CARRIED

 

                  THE TOWN OF MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

                  THAT THE MINUTES OF THE TOWN OF MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE MEETINGS HELD NOVEMBER 1, 2010 BE ADOPTED.

 

 

3.                  CHANGES OR ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

 

There were no changes or additions to the agenda.  

 

 

 

 

 

4.         MARKHAM HUMAN RESOURCES UPDATE

 

There were no new updates.  

 

 

5.         SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATES

 

The Many Faces of Markham subcommittee met on Jan. 10, 2010 at 6:00pm. Ms. Winnie Wales updated the committee on the progress of this year’s event “Waving Flags - United We Are”. Thus far, invitations and packages have been sent to schools in the region to inform them of the 13th annual Many Faces of Markham show. This year, a video contest has been added alongside the writing and art contest to engage older students in participating in the annual competitions. The winning video will be showcased at the event. Furthermore, the deadline for performers to sign-up is January 14, 2011. Auditions will be held later this month. In addition, it was suggested that for future events, more effort can be taken to reach out to special need children and schools.

 

6.         NEW BUISNESS

 

Committee members inquired about the future course of the Race Relations Committee. The committee discussed the importance of having a Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination (CMARD) representation that will liaise on behalf of this committee. This request is pending and staff will query about any new updates. The committee is interested in having the CMARD conference in Markham.

 

In the previous meeting, the committee discussed the job description for the recruitment of new committee members. More specification is required for the development of the job description. This topic remains open and will be discussed at the next meeting.

 

In addition, the committee seeks to track the implementation of the Diversity Action Plan in the Town of Markham. Ms. Cheryl McConney-Wilson suggested that the committee develop an understanding of this plan and affirm goals from 2010 to 2014 in order to observe the progress of this plan. It will be important to track the short-term and long-term goals. If you note the recommendations for the first 5 years, changes can already be observed in the community including in recreation facilities and the library.

 

7.         NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of the Race Relations Committee will be held on February 7, 2011 at 7:15 PM.

 

8.         ADJOURNMENT

 

The Race Relations Committee adjourned at 8:30 p.m.