MEETING: ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ANTI-RACISM PAGE 1 OF 6 DATE: SEPTEMBER 24, 2012 MEETING NO

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1 MEETING: ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ANTI-RACISM PAGE 1 OF 6 DATE: SEPTEMBER 24, 2012 MEETING NO TIME: PLACE: CHAIR: 12:00 P.M. McNAUGHTON ROOM, 3 RD FLOOR - CITY HALL COUNCILLOR R. JOHNSON PRESENT: Rev. Paul Carr, Diversity Thunder Bay Ms. Amy Farrell, Lakehead District School Board Councillor Rebecca Johnson Ms. Michelle Lander, Thunder Bay Multicultural Association Det. Sgt. Don Lewis, Thunder Bay Police Services Ms. Vivianne McCullough, Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boréales Councillor Paul Pugh Ms. Jeannine Nagy, Confederation College Ms. Meghan Payment, Regional Multicultural Youth Council (RMYC) Mr. Vince Simon, Community Representative Ms. Frances Wesley, The Urban Aboriginal Advisory Committee Mr. Andy Wolff, Community Representative OFFICIALS: Mr. Alan Hjorth, Director - Human Resources & Corporate Safety Ms. Karen Lewis, Director - Corporate Communications & Strategic Initiatives Ms. Maureen Nadin, Committee Resource Ms. Linda Douglas, Committee Coordinator REGRETS: Ms. Ann Magiskan, Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board Ms. Amina Anita Abu-Bakare, Community Representative Mayor Keith Hobbs Ms. Wendy Landry, The Metis Nation of Ontario 1.0 CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA A roundtable of updates was added under New Business. With regard to the September 24, 2012 meeting of the Anti-Racism Advisory Committee, it was the consensus of the Committee that the agenda, including any additional information and new business, be confirmed.

2 SEPTEMBER 24, 2012 PAGE: 2 OF: MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING Minutes of Meeting No of the Advisory Committee on Anti-Racism, held on May 28, 2012, for approval. MOVED BY: SECONDED BY: Councillor P. Pugh Det. Sgt. D. Lewis THAT the Minutes of Meeting No of the Advisory Committee on Anti-Racism held on May 28, 2012, be approved. CARRIED Minutes from Information Session of the Advisory Committee on Anti-Racism, held on July 30, 2012, provided for information. 3.0 BUSINESS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES 3.1 One City, Many Voices Submissions to Chronicle Journal Ms. M. Nadin provided an update on the monthly submissions to the Chronicle Journal, including the submission from Ms. G. Chahal. It was noted that Ms. B. Reimer has written the September submission, which should be published sometime this week. Ms. Nadin advised that the Chronicle Journal has asked that a short biography and photograph of the writer of each column be included with future submissions. Draft guidelines were presented by Ms. M. Nadin for approval by the Committee. MOVED BY: SECONDED BY: Councillor P. Pugh Ms. V. McCullough THAT the Guidelines for the submission of articles for One City, Many Voices to the Chronicle Journal be approved, as presented. CARRIED 3.2 respect Campaign Ms. K. Lewis, Director - Corporate Communications & Strategic Initiatives, provided an update on the campaign and responded to questions. She reported that a two-year action plan is now in place.

3 SEPTEMBER 24, 2012 PAGE: 3 OF: 6 Ms. K. Lewis advised that the Subcommittee of the Public Education and Media Awareness Working Group would be meeting to review the action plan prior to presentation at the next meeting of the Advisory Committee on Anti-Racism. She requested that another Committee member be appointed to the Subcommittee in the event that the Chair and Vice Chair are unable to attend the meeting. Ms. M. Lander volunteered to sit on the Subcommittee. Discussion was held relative to an award for anti-racism. The Terms of Reference have been developed, and a sponsor for the award has been confirmed. An outline of the award will be presented at the next meeting. Ms. K. Lewis will provide campaign material for Mr. V. Simon, who would like to present the respect Campaign to his clients. Ms. V. McCullough reported on the Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, which is scheduled for the 3 rd week of November on an annual basis. Discussion was held relative to coordinating the respect campaign with this initiative in the schools. 4.0 COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP 4.1 A vacancy for the position of Community Representative has been created by the resignation of Ms. Karen Drake. The Office of the City Clerk placed an advertisement in the Chronicle Journal, seeking applications to fill the vacancy, with a September 7, 2012 deadline for applications. No applications were received. The next advertisement is scheduled for November, Discussion was held relative to soliciting representatives from the community. Applications can be submitted to the Office of the City Clerk at any time until the vacancy is filled. 4.2 A vacancy for the representative from Lakehead University has been created upon the retirement of Ms. Beverly Sabourin. A letter has been sent to Lakehead University, requesting another primary representative, as well as an alternate. 5.0 ONE CITY, MANY VOICES SUBCOMMITTEE 5.1 Due to the resignation of Karen Drake, a new member for the One City, Many Voices Subcommittee of Public Education and Media Awareness Working Group, to be appointed. It was the consensus of the Committee that no additional members of the Subcommittee were needed as the guidelines have been created and approved.

4 SEPTEMBER 24, 2012 PAGE: 4 OF: Councillor R. Johnson advised that Ms. A. Abu-Bakare accepted the position of Chair for the One City, Many Voices Subcommittee, responsible for the submission of articles to the Chronicle Journal. 6.0 WORK PLAN Councillor R. Johnson provided an update on the meeting held on September 12, 2012 with the Public Education and Media Awareness Working Group. As a result of the meeting, a Public Education and Media Awareness Strategy was distributed separately at the meeting. In reference to the Working Group for the Development of an Advocacy Role, Ms. M. Nadin advised that she has been researching what other cities do in terms of advocacy. Research will be available when the Working Group does meet. In reference to the Working Group to Promote Diversity and Equal Opportunity in the Educational Sector, Ms. M. Lander advised that an extra day will be added to next year s Folklore Festival in order to promote education and culture. Ms. M. Payment provided an overview of an RMYC Equity and Inclusive Education Strategy Conference being planned. The conference will be dealing with how to fix problems in the schools, as well as a forum on leadership. École secondaire catholique de la Vérendrye (the French Catholic High School), Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School, Natural Helpers, and the Gay Straight Alliance from each high school will also be invited. As racism has been identified as one of the major problems in the high schools, a member of the Advisory Committee on Anti- Racism would be welcome to attend, once a date is confirmed. 7.0 NEW BUSINESS Roundtable of Updates: Ms. V. McCullough, Conseil scolaire de district catholique des Aurores boréales, reported on workshops on safety which were held in August for principals. Each school board is responsible for providing a support group for various initiatives and helping students in need. Ms. M. Lander, Thunder Bay Multicultural Association, reported on their Annual General Meeting, which was held on September 21, Ms. Lander also advised the Committee about an upcoming 2-day conference scheduled for February, 2013, with Paul Born as the keynote speaker. Councillor R. Johnson will respond to the request for funding, as no funding is available at this time from the Committee. Ms. M. Payment, Regional Multicultural Youth Council, provided an overview of the results of a survey dealing with racism and discrimination held in the high schools last March. She also noted that a Pow Wow is being organized for the high schools.

5 SEPTEMBER 24, 2012 PAGE: 5 OF: 6 Ms. F. Wesley, The Urban Aboriginal Advisory Committee, spoke on the impact of the recent from the Thunder Bay Police Service. Ms. Wesley provided an overview of the Stay in School campaign and the work being done with Aboriginal youth. The UAA Committee would also like to organize an Aboriginal Council for Thunder Bay. Mr. A. Hjorth, Director - Human Resources & Corporate Safety, advised that Council has approved a Code of Conduct Policy for all City staff, which will be distributed to all employees through Corporate Communications. Councillor P. Pugh provided an overview of his work with labour councils, as well as his involvement with several BIAs. Detective Sergeant D. Lewis provided a general overview of the recent incident involving a Thunder Bay Police Service and how it is being dealt with by the Police Service. Mr. V. Simon provided an overview of an annual awareness event he attended last week. He noted that the organizers had to apply to the Province to serve moose meat. He also spoke about a recent event at a local convenience store where an Aboriginal woman was involved with a perceived act of racism. Ms. K. Lewis, Director - Corporate Communications & Strategic Initiatives, provided an overview of Connect the Dots meetings, which bring together coordinators of various strategies related to social development, including poverty, anti-racism, housing, etc. They compare their strategies for overlap. This group was instrumental in launching the respect campaign. Ms. A. Farrell, Lakehead District School Board, reported on the anti-homophobia training which is being conducted throughout the public schools. Reverend P. Carr spoke on his involvement with the Ontario Multifaith Council, as well as the Council s equity and inclusion project on faith group issues. Discussion was held relative to the recent Thunder Bay Police Service , the subsequent First Nation human rights complaint launched, and the possible role of the Advisory Committee on Anti-Racism with these events. Detective Sergeant D. Lewis responded to questions. Ms. Jeannine Nagy, Confederation College, reported on the implementation of a Code of Conduct, as well as mandatory training for all employees relative to the Code of Conduct. The respect Campaign continues to be presented to new students and employees. There is dialogue about a new strategic plan which will include aboriginal initiatives. Councillor R. Johnson stated that this Committee may have a role in the teen suicide inquiry. Ms. K. Lewis, Director - Corporate Communications & Strategic Initiatives, advised that the 2012 budget process will be starting soon for the City. The same amount as the 2012 budget allocation for this Committee will be included in the 2013 budget.

6 SEPTEMBER 24, 2012 PAGE: 6 OF: NEXT MEETING Committee meetings are scheduled monthly, on the last Monday of each month, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m., in the McNaughton Room, 3 rd Floor, City Hall. October 29 November 26 December ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m.