THIRD MEETING OF THE

MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE

FOR 2006

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room, Markham Civic Centre

April 3, 2006

 

MINUTES

 

Attendance

 

Members

 

Regrets

Warren Ali

 

Raza Sumar

Linda Stewart, Chair

 

 

Ghulam Sajan

 

Moe Mohammed

Murali Visvalingam

 

Vicki Brar

Jan Godschalk

 

Councillor K. Usman

Councillor E. Shapero

 

 

Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti

 

 

Iris Leung

 

 

Alex Ribeiro

 

 

 

Staff
Chris Raynor, Committee Secretary

J. Ryerson, Director, Varley Art Gallery

H. Guirges, Mid East Curator, Varley Art Gallery

The third meeting of the Markham Race Relations Committee in 2006 convened at

7:35 p.m. with Ms. Linda Stewart in the Chair.

 

1.         MINUTES OF SECOND MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING IN 2006 HELD ON MARCH 6, 2006

 

The Town of Markham Race Relations Committee recommends:

 

That the Minutes of the Town of Markham Race Relations Committee meeting held on March 6, 2006, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

 

2.         PRESENTATION – VARLEY ART GALLERY ACTIVITIES

 

Mr. J. Ryerson, Director, Varley Art Gallery and Mr. H. Guirges, Mid East Curator, Varley Art Gallery provided information on recent and upcoming activities at the Art Gallery.

 

The Committee was advised that the art collection policy was amended in 2005 to include items that are iconic to the community in addition to Canadian art. The Gallery also hopes to engage the community by exporting art either through public art installations or by placing art pieces in community centres. Additionally, it was note that the Gallery and the Museum hope to participate in a five year project with universities and museums in Vancouver, Montreal and the Greater Toronto Area, subject to a grant application.

 

It was suggested that the Gallery might install some art work at the Many Faces of Markham event.

 

 

3.         YORK REGION INCLUSIVITY ACTION PLAN

 

The Committee was advised that York Region is still waiting for confirmation of which elements of the Inclusivity Action Plan will receive funding. Once this is finalized, it will be possible to determine where community groups will fit in.

 

Members were encouraged to become involved with the Awareness Campaign Committee.

 

 

4.         UNESCO COALITION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES
AGAINST DISCRIMINATION AND RACISM

 

There was general discussion about the UNESCO initiative. Members agreed to discuss the matter further at the next meeting, and to determine how the initiative fits with the proposed work plan of the Committee, before deciding on a recommendation to Council.

 

 

5.         SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATES

 

            a)         Events

 

The Committee was advised that the Minister of Youth Services has been secured as guest speaker for the Many Faces of Markham event. The draft program was circulated for comment.

 

            b)         Policy

           

            There was no update from this sub-committee.

 

 

6.         NEW BUSINESS

           

            a)         Composition of the Committee

 

It was requested that the composition of the Committee be an agenda item for the next meeting.

 

7.         ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting closed at 9:15 p.m.