SEVENTH MEETING OF THE

RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE FOR 2007

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room, Markham Civic Centre

Monday, October 1, 2007 – 7:30 p.m.

 

MINUTES

 

 

ATTENDANCE:

 

Committee

 

Rochelle Bowmile
Heather Christian-Simmonds
Jan Godschalk
Vilvan Gunasingham

Aisha Manji
Linda Stewart, Chair

Gordon To

Regional Councillor T. Wong

Ghulam A. Sajan

Nisha Mehta

 

Staff

A. Tari, Committee Clerk
J. Tsien, Mayor Youth Task Force

Sharon Laing, Director Human Resources

 

 

 

Regrets

 

Warren Ali
Councillor Erin Shapero
Jobson Easow

Kevin Koo

Councillor L. Kanapathi

 

 

 

 

The seventh meeting of the Markham Race Relations Committee in 2007 convened at 7:35 p.m. with Linda Stewart in the Chair.

 

1.   CHAIR OPENING REMARKS

 

The Chair welcomed Sharon Laing, Director Human Resources to the Markham Race Relation Committee. 

 

2.   MINUTES OF THE JUNE 4, 2007 MEETING OF THE RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE HELD IN 2007

 

The Committee identified the following corrections:

 

Vivian Gunasingham be corrected to Vilvan Gunasingham.  Add Nisha Mehta to under “Committee Attendance”. Adjust the numbering of items discussed.  The last sentence under Chair Opening Remarks should read “The members introduced themselves and provided a brief explanation.”

 

The Committee also suggested that the minutes should reflect that members were asked to submit names of potential keynote speakers for the Many Faces of Markham Event  2008. 

 

The Committee stated concerns regarding the current level of Councillor participation at Committee meetings.

 

Moved by Vilvan Gunasingham
Seconded by Regional Councillor Tony Wong

 

That the Minutes of the Town of Markham Race Relations Committee meeting held on September 10, 2007, be adopted as amended.

 

CARRIED

 

3.         PEACE PARKS ACROSS CANADA

 

The Committee discussed the General Committee resolution from the September 10, 2007 meeting which states “the potential for Markham to dedicate a park to peace” and requested that the Committee Clerk provide more detailed information on this resolution at November 5, 2007 Race Relations Committee meeting.  The Committee also requested that the Committee Clerk e-mail any background information that was tabled at the General Committee meeting on this issue.

 

 

4.         SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATES

 

a) Event Sub-Committee

 

Linda Stewart advised the Committee that on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 Event Sub-Committee was held.  The Sub-Committee discussed doing something new for the 2008 10th Anniversary Event.  One possible Sub-Committee suggestion was to hold a contest with an award of $1,000.00 to the winner who in turn will choreograph the Event.  The Committee suggested having the $1,000.00 prize structured like a contract to attract more qualified individuals. The Committee also suggested having the Town of Markham’s Recreation Department assist in drafting up contest rules.  At the next Sub-Committee, members will finalize the Event’s theme, keynote speaker and invitation list.

 

Moved by Ghulam A. Sajan

Seconded by Vilvan Gunasingham

 

 

 

The Race Relations Committee recommends:

 

That Council be requested to provide an additional $2,000.00 in funding for the tenth anniversary of the Many Faces Event to be held on April 13, 2008, in support of additional special events such as cross cultural performances.

CARRIED

 

The Committee reported that they would like to have a member of the Mayor’s Youth Task Force serve as the Master of Ceremony for the Many Faces Event.  It was suggested that Ms. Stewart attend the next Mayor’s Youth Task Force meeting to talk about the Event and to recruit volunteers.

 

b)         Policy

 

As only two members attended the Policy Sub-Committee meeting, Ms. Stewart suggested another meeting be scheduled.

 

5.         NEW BUSINESS

 

The Committee requested that background information for items like Peace Parks Across Canada be circulated to members prior to meetings to ensure the Committee is able to have informed deliberations on matters.

 

The Committee asked about the status of the Race Relations Committee’s mission, vision and value statement and requested the Committee Clerk report back with this information at the November meeting.

 

The Committee requested that “Selection Process for Chair and Vice Chair” be added to the November agenda. 

 

 

6.         DATE OF NEXT MEETING

 

The next meeting of Race Relations Committee is scheduled for Monday, November 5, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ontario Room.

 

 

6.         ADJOURNMENT

 

The Markham Race Relations Committee meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.