PUBLIC MINUTES

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Thursday, March 13, 2025 at 12:00 P.m. - 2:00 P.m.

Committee Room E, Ground Floor, City Hall

PRESENT:

• Tasnim Jaisee, Public, Chair
• Daniel Ash, Public, Vice Chair
• James Brayshaw, Public
• Hillary Gamelin, Ministry of Social Services
• Dr. Jasmine Hasselback, Saskatchewan Health Authority, via teleconference
• Jeffrey Hendren, Public
• Liz Kuley, Public, via teleconference
• Cornelia Laliberte, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, via teleconference
• Brenda Reynolds, Ministry of Corrections and Policing
• Kole Roth, Public
• Superintendent Dale Solie, Saskatoon Police Service
• Emma Wintermute, Public

ABSENT:

• Ali Abukar, Saskatoon Open Door Society
• Abbas Akram, Public
• Jess Hamm, Saskatchewan Intercultural Association
• Chandrelle Marshall, Saskatoon Public Schools
• Karianne Morin, Public

ALSO PRESENT:

• Councillor Jasmin Parker
• Director, Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Stryker Calvez
• Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, Robin Mowat, via teleconference
• Organizational Development Consultant, Thiago Prado
• Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant, April Sora
• Committee Assistant Heather Janzen

---

1.

CALL TO ORDER

The Chair called the meeting to order on Treaty 6 Territory and the Traditional Homeland of the Métis People and confirmed roll call.

2.

CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA

• Moved By: E. Wintermute
  1. That Item 7.1 be added; and 
  2. That the agenda be confirmed as amended.
  
  
  
  CARRIED

3.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of conflict of interest.

4.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES [CK 225-83-1]

• Moved By: H. Gamelin

  That the minutes of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee meeting held on February 13, 2025, be approved.

  
  
  
  CARRIED

5.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

6.

VERBAL UPDATES

6.1

Report of the Chair [File No. CK 225-83]

This is a standing item on the agenda to provide the Chair an opportunity to update on their activities since the last meeting.

Chair Jaisee provided a verbal update on the following:

• All four subcommittees are up and running and she will work with the Subcommittee Chairs;
• Attended the Race Relations Month ceremony and flag raising at City Hall on March 3, 2025;
• Revised the workplan with the feedback that was provided;
• Met with Councillor Jasmin Parker to discuss the Committee and City Council work; and
• Congratulated Chandrelle Marshall on being the recipient of the Order of Gabriel Dumont Silver Medal.

Director, Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Stryker Calvez entered the meeting at 12:14 p.m.

Dr. Jasmine Hasselback excused herself from the meeting at 12:17 p.m.

• Moved By: J. Brayshaw

  That the information be received. 

  
  
  
  CARRIED

6.2

Committee or Resource Member Update [CK 225-83]

This is a standing item on the agenda to provide an opportunity for a Committee or Resource Member to update on issues, trends, events, etc. that pertain to the Committee's mandate.

6.2.1

Resource Member Introductions

This item was on the agenda as an opportunity for the City of Saskatoon Resource Members to introduce themselves.

Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant April Sora, Organizational Development Consultant Thiago Prado and Director, Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Stryker Calvez provided an update on their roles with the Committee and their portfolios.

• Moved By: B. Reynolds

  That the information be received. 

  
  
  
  CARRIED

6.3

Subcommittee Updates [CK 225-83]

This is a standing item to provide an opportunity for the Subcommittee to report back on referred matters.

6.3.1

Sponsorship Subcommittee

Jeffrey Hendren provided a verbal update on receiving sponsorship applications, evaluation matrix, and noted the maximum amount for sponsorships is $2,000.00.

• Moved By: E. Wintermute

  That the information be received. 

  
  
  
  CARRIED

6.3.2

Living in Harmony Awards Subcommittee

Emma Wintermute provided a verbal update that the Subcommittee met to review the submissions and categories. 

Director, Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Stryker Calvez also updated that the award has been going on for 30 years, there has been communication with the school boards, and that the awards will be publicly announced on March 21, 2025, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Cornelia Laliberte responded to questions regarding the school boards. 

• Moved By: B. Reynolds

  That the information be received. 

  
  
  
  CARRIED

6.3.3

Annual Planning and Retreat Subcommittee

The Annual Planning and Retreat Subcommittee monthly report dated February 10, 2025, was provided for the Committee's information.  

No update was provided. 

6.3.4

Policy Advisory Subcommittee

The Policy Advisory Subcommittee monthly report dated February 5, 2025, was provided for the Committee's information.  

No update was provided. 

Chair Jaisee noted that some members have not joined a subcommittee and opened the opportunity for those members. 

• Moved By: H. Gamelin

  That the following be appointed:

  • James Brayshaw - Annual Planning and Retreat Subcommittee; and 
  • Kole Roth - Living in Harmony Awards Subcommittee.
  
  
  
  CARRIED

7.

REFERRALS FROM COUNCIL OR STANDING POLICY COMMITTEE

7.1

Blake Tait – Denounce 1 Million March 4 Children GPC2023-1103

This item was considered at the Governance and Priorities Committee meetings on November 8, 2023, and March 12, 2025. The Committee was requested to provide feedback on the matter.

Councillor Jasmin Parker introduced the item, and the Committee had discussion on providing a letter of feedback. 

Cornelia Laliberte excused herself from the meeting at 1:18 p.m.

• Moved By: E. Wintermute

  That the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee provide a letter of support to City Council.

  
  
  
  CARRIED

8.

WORK PLAN CONSIDERATION

In accordance with the Committee's Terms of Reference, it shall submit an annual report outlining the previous year's accomplishments and a work plan for the upcoming year.

This matter was deferred to the March meeting of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.

The draft work plan was provided. 

Chair Jaisee went over the 2025 work plan. 

• Moved By: E. Wintermute

  That the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee approve its Work Plan for 2025, for submission to City Council through the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services by March 31, 2025.

  
  
  
  CARRIED

8.1

Work Plan and Referrals to Standing Policy Committee [CK 225-83]

This is a standing item on the agenda for the Committee, and/or any subcommittees, to provide updates regarding items on its work plan and any matters being referred to the Standing Policy Committee for consideration.

9.

EDUCATION AND AWARENESS INITIATIVES - SPONSORSHIP [CK 225-83]

9.1

Annual Diversity Awards Gala 2025

The Sponsorship Follow Up Report Form from Saskatoon Open Door Society was provided. Sponsorship in the amount of $1,000.00 was approved by the Committee at its February 13, 2025, meeting. 

• Moved By: D. Ash

  That the Sponsorship Follow Up Report Form from Saskatoon Open Door Society be received as information and the Committee Assistant be authorized to issue a cheque in the amount of $1,000.00 to Saskatoon Open Door Society for their event, Annual Diversity Awards Gala 2025.  

  
  
  
  CARRIED

9.2

Introduce and Celebrate Tamil's Traditional Event

A Sponsorship Request Application from Thiruvalluvar Tamil Language School for their event, Introduce and Celebrate Tamil's Traditional Event, taking place in July of 2025, was provided. 

• Moved By: H. Gamelin

  That the matter be deferred to the next meeting of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee to allow the Sponsorship Subcommittee to review the application. 

  
  
  
  CARRIED

9.3

World Refugee Day 2025

A Sponsorship Request Application from Saskatoon Refugee Coalition for their event, World Refugee Day 2025, taking place June 19, 2025, was provided. 

• Moved By: H. Gamelin

  That the matter be deferred to the next meeting of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee to allow the Sponsorship Subcommittee to review the application. 

  
  
  
  CARRIED

10.

BUDGET - STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES FOR 2025 [CK 1704-5]

The current Statement of Expenditures was provided for the Committee's information.

• Moved By: K. Roth

  That the information be received. 

  
  
  
  CARRIED

11.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 1:58 p.m.