NINTH MEETING OF THE

RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE

FOR 2004

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room, Markham Civic Centre

December 6, 2004

 

MINUTES

 

Attendance

Members

 

Regrets

Iris Leung

 

Vicki Brar

Ray Lum

 

Moe Mohammed

Alex Ribeiro

 

Raza Sumar

Ghulam Sajan

 

 

Deputy Mayor F. Scarpitti

 

 

Councillor E. Shapero

 

 

Linda Stewart

 

 

Councillor K. Usman

 

 

Murali Visvalingam

 

 

 

 

Officials

C. Raynor, Committee Secretary

 

The ninth meeting of the Markham Race Relations Committee convened at 7:35 p.m. with Ray Lum in the Chair.

 

 

1.         ADMINISTRATION

 

The Town of Markham Race Relations Committee recommends:

 

That the Minutes of the Town of Markham Race Relations Committee meeting held on October 4, 2004, be adopted with the inclusion of regrets from Ray Lum.

 

 

2.         NEW APPOINTMENTS

 

There was discussion surrounding the number of new Committee members for 2005. Mr. C. Raynor, Committee Clerk, agreed to confirm the number of vacancies and the number of applications received. Mr. Raynor noted that a letter will be sent to those members with terms expiring in 2004, Ray Lum and Vicki Brar, requesting they continue to serve into 2005, until the new members are appointed.

 

 

 

 

3.         DISCUSSION OF MANDATE

 

Councillor E. Shapero advised the Canadian Race Relations Foundation has been contacted and it is likely that a representative from the organization will be willing to act as a facilitator during the Committee’s discussion of its mandate and goals in January 2005.

 

 

4.         MEETING DATES 2005

 

The Committee was provided with the dates for meetings in 2005. They are as follows:

 

January 10

February 7

March 7

April 4

May 2

June 6

 

July & August – call of Chair

September 12

October 3

November 7

December 5

 

All meetings will start at 7:30 p.m. in the Ontario Room.

 

 

5.         “NO DISTANCE BETWEEN US”

 

            The Committee viewed the video, “No Distance Between Us”, created by the Association of Progressive Muslims of Ontario. There was brief discussion surrounding the content. It was suggested that it may be useful to show the video at one of the Town’s “Lunch n Learn” sessions.

 

 

6.         ELECTIONS OF CHAIRS

 

The Chair called for volunteers for the positions of Chair and Vice Chair. Ms. L. Stewart and Mr. G. Sajan were put forward.

 

THE MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That Ms. L. Stewart be elected as Chair of the Markham Race Relations Committee until November 30, 2005;

 

And that Mr. G. Sajan be elected as Vice Chair of the Markham Race Relations Committee until November 30, 2005.

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

7.         REPORTS

 

·        Many Faces of Markham

Ms. L. Stewart advised that April 7, 2005 is confirmed as the date of the Many Faces of Markham event. It was agreed that a Many Faces Organizing Sub-committee be formed with Ms. L. Stewart as Chair, Councillor E. Shapero as Vice Chair, and Ms. I. Leung, Mr. A. Ribeiro, Mr. M. Visvalingam also serving. Ms. Stewart noted that she will also contact previous members of the Committee, as well as outside volunteers.

 

·        Corporate Outreach Sub-Committee

Mr. G. Sajan provided minutes from the meeting of the Corporate Outreach Sub-Committee held on August 4, 2004. The Sub-Committee identified a number of possible strategies. It was agreed that the Sub-Committee can focus on developing a database of religious, cultural and business groups. It was also suggested that the Sub-Committee create an information booth for display at the Markville Mall on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 2005. The booth might also promote the Many Faces event.

 

It was noted that the facilitated discussion might also help develop a continuing strategy for this, and other, Sub-Committees.

 

 

8.         OTHER BUSINESS

 

·        Harmony Foundation Award

Councillor K. Usman advised the Committee that Jaffari Islamic Centre and Temple Harzion were recognised by the Harmony Foundation for 25 years’ of harmonious co-existence.

 

THE MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the Jaffari Islamic Centre and Temple Harzion be congratulated by the Town for winning the Harmony Foundation Award in recognition of 25 years’ of harmonious co-existence.

CARRIED

 

·        Ray Lum

It was noted that Mr. R. Lum will not be chairing the Committee following the December 6, 2004 meeting. The Committee expressed its gratitude for the hard work undertaken by Mr. Lum. Mr. Lum accepted the thanks and requested that the members continue their good work to date.

 

·        Mosaic Group

Mr. G. Sajan advised that the Mosaic Group will be celebrating its 25th anniversary on January 16, 2005 with a vegan pot luck dinner. Mr. Sajan extended invitations to attend to all the Committee members.

 

·        Resignation of Rohit Ummat

The Committee received an email from Mr. R. Ummat confirming his resignation from the Committee due to scheduling conflicts.

 

THE MARKHAM RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

That the resignation of Mr. R. Ummat be accepted, with regret and that the position be declared vacant.

CARRIED

 

·        Social Event

The Committee will have a social evening with dinner at a local restaurant. All members of the Committee, including those whose terms expired earlier in the year will be invited to attend. A date of December 20, 2004 was selected, with dinner at 7:00 p.m.

 

 

9.         NEXT MEETING

 

The next regular meeting of the Committee will be held on Monday, January 10, 2005, at 7:30 p.m. in the Ontario Room.

 

 

10.       ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting closed at 9:15 p.m.