SIXTH MEETING OF THE
RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE
FOR 2004
TOWN OF
Ontario Room,
Ray Lum (Acting Chair) Councillor
E. Shapero
Jan Godschalk Raza Sumar
Ashna Kohli Councillor K.
Usman
Ghulam Sajan
Rohit Ummat
Linda Stewart
Iris Leung
Vicki Brar
Moe Mohammed
Officials
Judi Kosch, Committee Secretary
The sixth meeting of the Markham
Race Relations Committee convened at
The Chair welcomed
Vicki Brar
ADMINISTRATION
The Town of
That the Minutes of the Town of
Mr. J. Godschalk objected to the inclusion of
the apology by Councillor K. Usman as recorded in the minutes of the
Following discussion with the Clerk’s
Department, the minutes of the
2. “NO DISTANCE BETWEEN US” VIDEO
Viewing of the “No Distance Between Us” video
provided by the Association of Progressive Muslims of Ontario was deferred
until the next meeting in September.
3. “RULES OF PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE”
VIDEO
The Committee viewed the “Rules of Parliamentary Procedure” video
provided by the Clerk’s Department.
4. REPORTS
§
Hate Crimes Forum
The Chair thanked everyone who helped to make this event such an
excellent success. Deputy Mayor Scarpitti, on behalf of Councillor Shapero,
also extended thanks and recognized the quality of the presentations and how
well organized the event was.
§
Education Sub-committee
Mr. R. Lum advised that there was nothing to report on the brochure at
this time and will attempt to get an update for the next meeting.
5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
§
Update on Committee logo – deferred to the next
meeting.
6. OTHER BUSINESS
§
Election of Chair and
Vice-chair
The Chair called on members for nominees for these two positions; after
discussion, it was agreed that he would stay on as Chair until the end of the
year and Ms. A. Kohli would be Vice-Chair.
·
Legacy Community e-mail
The Chair circulated a copy of an e-mail the Committee received regarding
an incident in the Legacy Community.
Following discussion, it was agreed that the Chair would contact the York
Regional Police Community Liaison to ascertain the correct terminology used in
such a situation and draft a response, on behalf of the Committee, to Mr.
Wendel Bonair for Deputy Mayor Scarpitti to review.
·
Taste of
Mr. G. Sajan invited all members to attend the Taste of Asia festival
that was initiated last year in response to the SARS crisis. Deputy Mayor
Scarpitti stated that last year’s event was highly successful.
·
Membership on Committee
Mr. G. Sajan expressed concern over the possible lack of cross-cultural
membership on the Committee. Deputy Mayor Scarpitti outlined the selection
process and called on all members to encourage people in their areas to
participate. He also stressed that Council’s aim during the selection process
was to get fair representation from across the Town. Deputy Mayor Scarpitti requested that this
item be placed on the next agenda and that the membership list, with terms of
office, be discussed.
·
Sub-Committees
The Chair reviewed the four sub-committees and stated that the Chairs
would stay on to the end of 2005. Ms. A.
Kohli and Ms. L. Stewart will co-chair the Many Faces of Markham subcommittee,
with assistance from Iris Leung and Deputy Mayor Scarpitti. It was agreed that
Markham Theatre should be contacted at the earliest opportunity to arrange a
date for this event. The Corporate
Outreach committee will be co-chaired by Mr. M. Mohammed and Mr. G. Sajan.
Further recruiting may also be done from outside the committee.
·
Summer Event
Mr. M. Mohammed extended an invitation to all members, including the
Committee Secretary, to come to his home for a Social Evening. He will keep in
touch with everyone with respect to a date.
7. NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting of the Committee
will be held on
8. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting closed at