The Regional Municipality of Durham. Local Diversity and Immigration Partnership Council. June 4, 2015 Minutes

Transcription

1 If this information is required in an accessible format, please contact ext The Regional Municipality of Durham Local Diversity and Immigration Partnership Council June 4, 2015 Minutes A regular meeting of the Local Diversity and Immigration Partnership Council was held on June 4, 2015 in the Lower Level Boardroom (LL-C), Regional Headquarters Building, 605 Rossland Road East, Whitby, Ontario at 2:00 PM. Present Regrets Councillor Lorne Coe, Town of Whitby, Co-Chair Dr. Hugh Drouin, Region of Durham, Social Services, Co-Chair Amjad Gauhar, Region of Durham, Planning Donald Igbokwe, Faith and Ethnocultural Community Sector Elise Arbic, Lakeridge Health / Employer Félicité Pénayori Ouattara, COFRD / Francophone Sector Heather McMillan, Durham Workforce Authority / Employment Skills and Training Inspector Bruce Townley, Durham Regional Police Service / Police Kathy McKay, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade / Business Sector Lindsay Coolidge, UOIT / Academic Sector Martyn Beckett, Durham District School Board / School Board Tahmena Bokhari, Durham Children s Aid Society / Member-At-Large Councillor Ted Smith, Township of Brock Donna Bright, Ajax Public Library / Libraries Sector Janet Traer, Region of Durham, Accessibility Advisor / Accessibility Janice Bogdan, Region of Durham, Health / Health Kasia Chojecki, Region of Durham, Economic Development and Tourism Mike Anton, CDCD / Settlement Sector Scott Blakey, Durham College / Academic Sector Tracey Vaughan-Barrett, Town of Ajax / Member-At-Large

2 June 4, 2015 Page 2 of 8 Ex-officio Members Present Chris Rosati, Ministries of Citizenship, and Immigration and International Trade, Tourism, Culture and Sport (MCIIT) Patty Devlin, Ministries of Citizenship, and Immigration and International Trade, Tourism, Culture and Sport (MCIIT) Ex-officio Member Regrets Staff Present 1. Welcome Amanda Kenney, Service Canada Joanne Richmond, Ontario Trillium Foundation John Battista, Citizenship and Immigration Canada Louise Harding, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Audrey Andrews, Region of Durham, Diversity and Immigration Program Samantha Burdett, Region of Durham, Diversity and Immigration Program Samantha Billingham, Region of Durham, Diversity and Immigration Program Councillor Coe welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked everyone for their expertise and time. He introduced Chris Rosati and Patty Devlin from the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade (MCIIT). Chris is the MCIIT Manager of Central Region and Patty is a Regional Advisor for the Ministry in Durham Region. 2. Declarations of Conflicts of Interest None stated. 3. Adoption of Minutes Moved by Donald Igbokwe, That the minutes of the Local Diversity and Immigration Partnership Council meeting on April 2, 2015 be adopted. Carried 4. Introductions and Roundtable (Alternative Roundtable) The purpose of this alternative LDIPC member roundtable is to share one key learning or benefit the LDIPC member and/or their organization has derived from being a member of the LDIPC.

3 June 4, 2015 Page 3 of 8 Donald Igbokwe Faith Communities Donald reported that the World Religion Day committee considers the LDIPC a networking and information clearing house. He and by extension, the group, has benefited from participating in the LDIPC through the wealth of information that is shared at the meetings and from the various informative presentations by guests. As a networking opportunity, the various resources linked through the LDIPC offer a perfect platform where most, if not all stakeholders meet and share information about activities and projects in the region. It is through LDIPC that the group networked with the Durham District School Board (DDSB) and collaborated in the World Religion Day celebration in January Ethno-cultural groups have become more aware of the various stakeholders and services around the Region of Durham. Martyn Beckett Durham District School Board Martyn shared that the DDSB has benefited from forging new and stronger relationships with the members of the LDIPC and their organizations. The LDIPC meetings give a sense of what is happening in the community and an opportunity to see the bigger picture. As an example, he cited the meeting where a representative from The Black Experience Project came to present. Martyn shared that on Anti-Homophobia day, the Pride flag was raised at all schools. He noted that there was some significant pushback in some communities, which highlighted the work that remains to be done and is ongoing. Moved by Tahmena Bohkari, That the LDIPC write a letter to the DDSB Board of Trustees to offer thanks and congratulations on the raising of the Pride Flag in support of the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia. Carried Chris Rosati Ministries of Citizenship and Immigration and International Trade, Tourism, Culture and Sport Chris is the Manager for the Central Region and manages a number of offices. He attends LIP council meetings in both Peel and York. He shared that it is important to see how LIPs function and the community representation in each area. It helps to learn the characteristics of the territories. He noted that it is very helpful to have this viewpoint in terms of informing policy.

4 June 4, 2015 Page 4 of 8 Patty Devlin Ministries of Citizenship, and Immigration and International Trade, Tourism, Culture and Sport Patty is the local Regional Advisor for MCIIT. Lindsay Coolidge University of Ontario Institute of Technology Lindsay shared that she has found the networking opportunities afforded by the LDIPC very helpful, not just in terms of the membership, but also the various presentations that take place, as they give a context beyond the people in the room. She has learned a lot from the LDIPC and shares this work throughout UOIT. Heather McMillan Durham Workforce Authority Heather shared that working in local labour market research and development, it is important to understand what is happening in the broader community. The presentations are very helpful and she cited in particular, presentations by Durham College, UOIT and Reverend Ted McCollum. She noted that the opportunity to connect with the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade around their event on express entry has been invaluable and that as a result the Durham Workforce Authority is planning to hold a similar event this year. Elise Arbic Lakeridge Health Elise noted that the connections she has made within the group have been very helpful. She takes information back to Lakeridge Health to share with her team. She has also found opportunities to borrow ideas learned from the LDIPC. Félicité Pénayori Ouattara, COFRD / Francophone Sector Félicité noted that COFRD s involvement with the LDIPC has been helpful in informing their work with job seekers and newcomers. It has been good to have news to offer those individuals that is helpful to them. Bruce Townley Durham Region Police Services Bruce shared that his involvement in the LDIPC has given him opportunities to build relationships, both personally and professionally, within the community and that this is very important in police work. He has found the networking opportunities to be very beneficial. He also stated that the trickledown of information as it is shared from the top down has been helpful in terms of getting people involved in a variety of diverse events.

5 June 4, 2015 Page 5 of 8 Tahmena Bokhari, Durham Children s Aid Society Tahmena indicated that she finds it valuable to understand where organizations and people in the Region are in terms of matters of diversity. Learning the language and dialogue around diversity has helped her work in developing an anti-oppressive practice within the CAS. Networking is also valuable. Tahmena shared that CAS launched their anti-oppressive practice program on June 2. Tahmena noted the intent of the CAS is to continue the dialogue with the LDIPC to continue the work toward anti-oppressive practice. Amjad Gauhar Planning Department, Region of Durham Amjad shared that in the Planning Department at the Region of Durham, he is highly focused on analyzing trends and data to inform policy making. He noted that information shared at the LDIPC meetings is extremely useful in this regard. He shared an example in that information that was shared at an LDIPC meeting regarding the Ontario Job Grants program was used to ensure that surveyors from the Planning Department who visit Region businesses to conduct the Business Count Survey always have pamphlets available to give to business owners who report a skills shortage so that they are informed about the Job Grants program. Kathy McKay Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade (APBOT) Kathy shared that she loves this committee and finds it a great experience to learn what is offered throughout the Region. She stated that she is more mindful of the business at hand and that she likes learning things to pass to the APBOT membership. Being involved with the LDIPC has allowed Kathy to connect with previously unknown organizations and individuals. It makes her organization more valuable when she can help to educate and share information with others. Dr. Hugh Drouin Social Services, Region of Durham Dr. Drouin shared that the Social Services Division has been on an Excellence journey through Excellence Canada for the past 12 years and that the division achieved the Gold level of recognition for this in He noted that Excellence Canada is under the sponsorship of the Governor General and that the Region s diversity program was cited as a program of special note, being recognized as a best practice. Dr. Drouin stated that his involvement in the LDIPC has deepened his appreciation and understanding of diversity issues.

6 June 4, 2015 Page 6 of 8 Samantha Burdett, Region of Durham, Diversity and Immigration Samantha shared that Durham Pride Week is upcoming in June and that there will be various events in the Region. More information on these events is available on the Pride Durham website. The Ethno-cultural and Diversity Advisory Committee and Whitby Public Library are hosting a forum on Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention. This will take place on June National Call for Proposals Presented by Audrey Andrews, Diversity and Immigration Program, Region of Durham Audrey advised the group that the Region of Durham, Diversity and Immigration Program s contract with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has been extended with a reduced budget. The staff team will strive to continue to provide the same level of support and service to organizations that provide service in the community, however, some change will be required. Audrey shared that CIC funding has been decreased across the board and that more changes are expected in terms of how funding is allocated and what it will look like moving forward. Audrey noted that a National Call for Proposals is expected in the next few weeks. This is a competitive process and the Region of Durham must participate in this proposal process. Priority Area 1: Create a culture of inclusion 6. Diversity Champions Applications Presented by Audrey Andrews, Diversity and Immigration Program, Region of Durham The Diversity Champions Award is a program whereby community organizations can apply to be recognized for championing diversity in the community. Diversity and Immigration staff reviews the application and once approved, present a certificate to the organization. The Oshawa Public Library and the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade have both recently applied for the award. These applications have been reviewed and are being recommended for approval by the Council. Moved by Lindsay Coolidge, That the applications be approved. Carried

7 June 4, 2015 Page 7 of 8 Priority Area 2: Improve labour market outcomes for newcomers Priority Area 3: Attract and retain newcomers Priority Area 4: Enhance Durham s settlement capacity 7. Best Practices Forum: Feedback and Evaluation Presented by Samantha Burdett, Region of Durham, Diversity and Immigration Program] On January 26, the Local Diversity and Immigration Partnership Council hosted a half-day event showcasing some of Durham s best practices and tools in terms of diversity and inclusivity. A number of speakers, representing the municipal, Regional and not-for-profit sectors shared their innovations and learning. Participants had opportunities to engage with speakers to ask questions and share their own experiences. Evaluations of the event were overwhelmingly positive. Participants valued hearing what other jurisdictions were doing in terms of diversity and inclusion. A number of participants named the Health Neighbourhoods, Black Experience Project and RESPECT Campaign presentations as highlights. In terms of topics that participants would like to see covered in future events: how to get staff buy-in to diversity events; diversity and inclusion training; evaluating diversity and inclusion initiatives; and promoting a community-wide RESPECT campaign. Many people expressed their thanks to the organizers of the event and overall, positive feedback and excellent concrete suggestions for future events were received Community Report Card and LDIPC Report Card Presented by Samantha Burdett, Region of Durham, Diversity and Immigration Program Samantha presented an overview of the 2014 Community Report Card and LDIPC Report Card. The 2014 Report Card will be posted to the Durham Immigration Portal in the next month. 9. Upcoming Strategic Plan Consultation Process Presented by Samantha Burdett, Region of Durham Diversity and Immigration Program Diversity and Immigration staff will be producing a new strategic plan in 2015/2016. Input from the community will be invited through a series of focus groups and social media initiatives. Input from LDIPC members will be needed to help inform this process. It was requested that LDIPC members make a commitment to assist with participation in focus groups.

8 June 4, 2015 Page 8 of 8 Adjournment Counsellor Coe thanked all presenters and attendees for their contributions. Moved by Kathy McKay, That the meeting be adjourned: Carried The meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m. The next meeting of the Local Diversity and Immigration Partnership Council will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2015, at 2:00 p.m., in the lower Level Boardroom (LLC), Regional Headquarters, 605 Rossland Road East, Whitby.