FOURTH MEETING OF THE

RACE RELATIONS COMMITTEE

FOR 2004

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room, Markham Civic Centre

April 5, 2004

MINUTES

Attendance

Members Regrets

Marlene Mogado (Chair) Ashna Kohli

Jan Godschalk Councillor E. Shapero^*

Moe Mohammed

Beena Tandon * Absent due to religious holiday

Ray Lum

Councillor K. Usman

Gail MacRae

Officials

Chris Raynor, Committee Secretary

The fourth meeting of the Markham Race Relations Committee convened at 7.45 p.m. with Ms. M. Mogado in the Chair.

ADMINISTRATION

The Town of Markham Race Relations Committee recommends:

That the Minutes of the Town of Markham Race Relations Committee meeting held on March 1, 2004, amended to show regrets from Ashna Kohli and Gail MacRae, be received.

1. “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 after the new members have been appointed. It was agreed that a member of the Committee would take responsibility for storing and loaning out the video.

2. REPORTS

§ Many Faces of Markham

There was considerable discussion surrounding the Many Faces of Markham event that took place on March 25, 2004.

The following points were made:

- Not having poetry/prose readings helped the pacing of the event;

- Performers were well organized and transitions were well managed;

- Performances should be mixed up so that different age groups are represented throughout the bill;

- Cut down the number of speeches – it was felt that only the keynote speaker should give a substantial speech;

- Some performers over-ran their allotted time – this impacts other performers.

There was some discussion as to whether the speeches by Police Chief La Barge, and Councillor E. Shapero, in regard to the alleged hate crime incidents in York Region, were appropriate to the event.

Generally, it was agreed that the event had been a success and Ms. Mogado extended her thanks to all the volunteers who had assisted in organizing the event. She noted that she had already received from performers a number of enquiries about appearing in the 2005 event. Ms. B. Tandon advised she had a video of the event that she could provide to members if desired.

A meeting will be taking place on April 7, 2004 with a detailed review of the 2004 event, and to gather suggestions for further improvements in the planning and execution of future events.

§ Education Sub-committee

No update was provided.

3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

§ Follow-up of members who seldom attend meetings or don’t notify of absence

Ms. M. Mogado stated that she had spoken with two (2) members regarding their commitment to the Committee. She had received an email letter of resignation from Ms. N. Hussain. Councillor K. Usman agreed to speak with another member regarding their absences and report back at the next meeting.

The Town of Markham Race Relations Committee recommends:

That the email letter of resignation received by Ms. N. Hussain be accepted with regret.

§ Beena Tandon – follow-up of police report

Ms. Tandon stated that she had spoken with Sgt. H. Schellhorn, York Regional Police, but that Sgt. Schellhorn had not received the Committee’s comments. Ms. Tandon stated she would resend them and will report back once Sgt. Schellhorn has responded.

4. OTHER BUSINESS

§ Update on recent hate crime incidents in York Region

The Committee viewed a resolution made by Council at its meeting on March 30, 2004. The resolution condemned the recent incidents, and instructed the Committee to hold a community forum on hate crime with the York Regional Police.

It was noted that the Committee should make plans to enable it to call emergency meetings in response to similar situations in the future.

There was considerable discussion as to the format and content of the forum. It was felt that it should be used as an education tool, targeted particularly at youth, and that speakers should be invited who are able to promote the message that hate crimes are intolerable. Members were asked to suggest personal contacts and the name of a York University professor was put forward. The Mayor’s Office will also be used as a source of potential contacts, as will Karen Mok of the Canadian Race Relations Foundation. It was stated that Police Chief La Barge should also be invited to attend.

It was suggested that the Council Chambers would be the most suitable venue for the forum.

Ms. Mogado, Ms. Tandon and Mr. Lum agreed to form a sub-committee to organize the forum. An initial date was set of April 26, 2004, but it was noted that Chief La Barge will not be available to attend in April. It was suggested that the meeting possibly be postponed until early May in order to facilitate his attendance, but that the forum should take place no later than that.

Mr. J. Godschalk declared a conflict of interest in this matter due to a familiarity with some family members of one of the boys accused in relation to the crimes.

§ Budget 2004

There was discussion of the budget for 2004. It was noted that the Committee had been allocated $7,500 for 2003. Councillor K. Usman stated that the 2004 budget needs to be submitted shortly and should be forwarded to him as soon as possible.

§ Departing members

It was noted that the terms of Ms. Mogado, Ms. Tandon, and Ms. MacRae expire at the end of April. On behalf of Council, Councillor K. Usman thanked them for their time and efforts on the Committee. He noted that the Committee had organized a number of successful events, notably Many Faces of Markham.

Ms. Mogado indicated that she felt the new applicants would continue the good work.

5. NEXT MEETING

The next regular meeting of the Committee will be held on Monday, May 3, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. in the Ontario Room.

6. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting closed at 9:15 p.m.