SECOND MEETING OF THE
RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE FOR 2007
TOWN OF
Ontario Room,
Monday, February 5, 2007 – 7:30 p.m.
MINUTES
|
ATTENDANCE: Committee Linda Stewart, Chair Ghulam A. Sajan Warren Ali Kevin Koo Jobson Easow Regional Councillor T. Wong Councillor L. Kanapathi Staff J. Kee, Committee Clerk |
Regrets Jan Godschalk AbsentCarina Mahendra Guests Staff Sergeant Ricky
Veerappan, York Regional Police |
The second meeting of the Markham Race Relations Committee in 2007 convened at 7:40 p.m. with Ms. Linda Stewart in the Chair.
1. INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE
The Chair welcomed two of the new Council Members to the Committee, and asked all around the table to introduce themselves.
2. MINUTES OF THE SEVENTH MEETING OF THE RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE HELD ON JANUARY 8, 2007
The
Town of
The Minutes of the Town of
CARRIED
3. COMMENTS
FROM REGIONAL COUNCILLOR TONY WONG
Regional
Councillor Tony Wong advised that he looked forward to working with the
Committee, and noted that a third Council appointment is to be made to the Race
Relations Committee within the next two weeks.
He
raised the matter of the proposed changes to the Committee membership, which
had been considered at the November 6th, 2006 meeting, and advised
that these will be kept in mind when the Councillors are reviewing the
applications for the current vacancies.
Further discussion relating to Committee membership will take place at
the next meeting of the Race Relations Committee.
It
was noted that The Many Faces of Markham event is scheduled for Sunday, April
15, 2007 at the Markham Theatre, and it is hoped that the Governor General is
able to attend. Regional Councillor Wong
suggested that Councillor Kanapathi may wish to be involved with the Events
Sub-Committee this term.
4. SGT.
RICKY VEERAPPAN,
At
the last meeting, Members discussed the feasibility of hosting a
lecture/workshop series, and it had been suggested that Staff Sergeant Ricky
Veerappan, Diversity and Cultural Resources Bureau, York Regional Police, be
invited to speak to Committee regarding the Bureau’s work with the Region of
York’s diverse communities to foster understanding.
Sgt.
Veerappan explained that the Bureau, established in 2001, liaises with
community groups, monitors hate/bias crime investigations and is responsible
for the creation and maintenance of initiatives to build bridges and enhance
partnerships between the Police Department and the cultural, ethnic and
religious communities. This is done
through community networking; training and education of police officer and the
public; community outreach programs, monitoring of hate crimes and racial
profiling; and participation on various committees.
A
major event organized by the Department is International Day for the
Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is being held at
He
advised that the Bureau has established many diversity initiatives to help in
the battle against the many forms of discrimination, including: programs geared
towards diversity, anti-racism and anti-hate; a speaker series, such as PACES
(Police and Community Education Seminars); and involvement in an advisory
committee that focuses on ensuring that the workplace is inclusive. Details of the PACES seminars will also be
forwarded to Members for their information.
Sgt.
Veerappan noted that he would be pleased to forward a list of speakers
representing the various communities to the Chair for reference with respect to
the Committee’s proposed lecture/workshop series.
In
response to a query from Committee regarding anti-racism policies within the
York Regional Police force, Sgt. Veerappan advised that there is a procedure in
place on racism which is based on the “Policing Standards Manual” of the
Committee queried the involvement of York Regional Police in the
Province’s initiative to combat hate crimes, and Sgt. Veerappan advised that he
is a member of the Hate Crime Extremism Investigative Team, which provides
specialized support to police on matters of hate propaganda and hate-motivated
crimes. He noted that the most common
type of hate crime is vandalism of property.
There are many anti-Semitic crimes within the Jewish community, as well
as a rise in Islamaphobia, and many hate crimes are driven by international
events. Other causes include: historical
animosity; neighbourhood demographics, media and publicity, and
thrill-seeking. Most incidents of hate
crimes are carried out on the spur of the moment. Mr. Ghulam Sajan, Member, advised that he
would obtain a copy of the Attorney General’s report entitled: “Addressing Hate
Crime in
A
question was raised regarding how guilt is determined in a hate crime, and
Members were advised that this is determined by The Criminal Code. A person committing a regular assault
receives 6 months in jail, whereas a person committing a hate assault receives
a harsher sentence, such as 18 months in jail.
In
response to a query regarding programs for victims, Sgt. Veerappan advised that
“Victim Services of York Region” is available in various municipalities where
many people volunteer their time.
Training related to the challenges and opportunities involved is offered
by York Regional Police.
The
Chair thanked Sgt. Veerappan for attending the meeting this evening, noting
that the information presented had been most helpful to the Members. She advised that the Committee will be in
touch with him to further discuss their plans to establish a lecture/workshop
series at the
5. SUB-COMMITTEE
UPDATES
Events – Mr. Warren Ali updated Members on the activities of the Events
Sub-Committee, and noted that the recent performance of Aladdin had been very
good, and he hoped to provide a video for Members to view. Mr. Jobson Easow reported on other potential
performers, and the Chair advised that planning is well under way. Letters have been forwarded to the local
schools inviting them to participate in an arts and writing competition. Regional Councillor Tony Wong’s Assistant has
been working with Committee on this event.
Policy – There was no report this date.
6. NEW
BUSINESS
a) Committee
Relationship with Council
Committee noted that
the Terms of Reference/Membership have been reviewed, and expressed some
concern with respect to the lack of communication between the Race Relations
Committee and Council, and the lack of any action, and suggested that this
matter be addressed at the Council level.
Councillor Kanapathi acknowledged the importance of the Committee, and
advised that he looks forward to working with Members to discuss the issues
raised. The Committee wishes to have a more proactive role.
It was agreed that
“Membership of the Committee” would be placed on the next agenda to provide an
opportunity to discuss the Committee’s composition.
b) Committee
Membership
Concern
was expressed regarding the continued absence of a Member of Committee, and the
Chair advised that she will contact the Member to determine continued interest
in serving.
c) Chinese
New Year Event
Members
were advised that a Chinese New Year event is being held at Times Square (
d) Invitation
to Staff to Attend
Committee
briefly discussed the training of Town staff in areas related to diversity, and
it was suggested that a representative from the Human Resources Department be
invited to attend a future meeting to provide information to Committee on the
Town’s current training programs.
7. DATE
OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of Committee is scheduled for Monday, March 5, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ontario Room.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Markham Race Relations Committee adjourned at 9:05 p.m.