FIFTH MEETING OF THE

RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE FOR 2006

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room, Markham Civic Centre

June 5, 2006

 

MINUTES

 

Attendance

 

Members                                                        Regrets

Linda Stewart, Chair                                         Raza Sumar

Ghulam A. Sajan                                              Vicki Brar

Murali Visalingam                                             Basith Khan

Alex Ribeiro                                                     Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti

Warren Ali                                                       Councillor E. Shapero

Jan Godschalk                                                  Councillor K. Usman

Jobson Easow

Kevin Koo

Carina Mahendra

 

Staff

Pamela Cook, Committee Secretary

 

The fifth meeting of the Markham Race Relations Committee in 2006 convened at 7:39 p.m. with Ms. Linda Stewart in the Chair.

 

 

1.      WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS AND CURRENT

      COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEE

 

a.      Welcome to New Members

Ms. Stewart welcomed the three new appointed members of the Race Relations Committee, Jobson Easow from Markham, Kevin Koo from Unionville, Carina Mahendra from Markham and invited each of them to give a brief comment on themselves and their interests.

 

 

b.      Current Composition of Committee

The Committee reviewed the Membership for the Markham Race Relations Committee as at June 1, 2006.  The Chair reported that Iris Leung has completed her term and Vicki Brar had resigned for personal reasons on June 5th.  Council will be asked to appoint another member from their list of applicants.  Ms. Stewart will work with Pam and the Clerks Department to ensure that a personal letter of appreciation from the Committee is sent out.

 

 

2.      PRESENTATION WOMEN’S SUPPORT NETWORK OF YORK REGION

Ms Stewart introduced Ms Ertha Taggar, Program Coordinator for the Women’s Support Network of York Region, formerly called the Rape Crisis Centre for York Region.  Ms Taggar explained that there are satellite branches in Georgina, Sutton, Richmond Hill and Markham, as well as outreach to twelve York Region high schools.  The Women’s Support Network currently has the resources to support a twenty-four hour help hotline in twelve languages, but there is a definite need to expand. 

 

Ms Taggar reported that the Women’s Support Network is a lead agency in Take Back the Night, taking place September 23rd at Fairy Lake in Newmarket.  An invitation was extended to Committee members, especially male to attend and a flyer with more information will be provided to the Committee. 

 

 

3.      MINUTES OF THE FOURTH MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING IN 2006 HELD ON MAY 1, 2006

 

The Town of Markham Race Relations Committee recommends:

 

The Minutes of the Town of Markham Race Relations Committee meeting held on May 2, 2006, be adopted.

CARRIED

 

 

4.      UNESCO COALITION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES AGAINST DISCRIMINAL AND RACISM

 

The Chair tabled a Policy Sub-Committee Report dated June 5, 2006 which reviewed in detail the potential for overlap of UNESCO and Markham Race Relations Committee Vision and Action Plans.  The Sub-Committee felt that a number of UNESCO initiatives overlap with both the Markham Race Relations Committee and many other groups in Markham.  As a result of the extensive review and discussion, the Markham Race Relations Committee recommends:

 

      THAT the Town of Markham defer membership with UNESCO at this time, and

 

Further, that the Town of Markham and the Race Relations Committee consider the UNESCO document as a framework for future development documents.

 

CARRIED

 

5.      SUB-COMMITTEE UPDATES

 

a.      Events

 

The Chair reported that the Markham Theatre was not available for March 25th, 2007 for the Many Faces of Markham.  Tuesday, March 20th and Sunday April 15th are being tentatively held.  The Chair will determine what is booked on March 25th and discuss the date in more detail at the next sub-committee meeting.

 

The Committee viewed the DVD presentation of the 2006 Many Faces of Markham and explained the event to the new Committee members. 

 

Upon the recommendation of Councillor Shapero, Adolfo Marketing was contracted to videotape the 2006 event and produce the DVD, resulting in a total cost of $450.00.  The Committee recommends that invoice be forwarded to the Clerks Department for payment. 

 

CARRIED

 

b.      Policy

 

Jobson Easow and Carina Mahendra agreed to sit on the Policy Sub-Committee.  The next meeting is Wednesday, June 12, 2006 at 7:30 p.m., the room to be booked with the Clerks Department.  This committee will continue to meet over the summer months to review their mandate.

 

 

6.      NEW BUSINESS

 

a.       The Taste of Asia is being held on June 24 and 25, 2006 at Kennedy and Steeles.

b.      There is an open house for York Region Inclusivity Action Plan on June 7th.  If the Chair is able to determine the location and time, an E-mail will be sent out to members who may wish to attend

 

 

7.      ADJOURNMENT

 

The next two scheduled meetings July 3, and August 7, 2006 fall on civic holidays and it was agreed that the Markham Race Relations Committee would not meet over the summer months.  The next scheduled meeting is Monday, September 11th, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ontario Room.

 

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:23 p.m.