PUBLIC MINUTES

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 12:00 P.m. - 2:00 P.m.

Committee Room E, Ground Floor, City Hall

PRESENT:

• Namarta Kochar, Chair, Public Representative
• Ali Abukar, Saskatoon Open Door Society
• Rashid Ahmed, Public Representative
• Jess Hamm, Saskatchewan Intercultural Association
• Darryl Isbister, Board of Education for Saskatoon Public Schools
• Julia Jones, Public Representative
• Cornelia Laliberte, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
• Connie Masuskapoe, Ministry of Social Services
• Howard Sangwais, Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety and Policing
• Inspector James Oliver, Saskatoon Police Service
• Maria Soonias Ali, Public Representative
• Elora Stuart, Public Representative

ABSENT:

• Dr. Jaris Swidrovich, Vice-Chair, Public Representative
• Amanda Guthrie, Public Representative
• Dr. Jasmine Hasselback, Saskatchewan Health Authority
• Julie Yu, Public Representative

ALSO PRESENT:

• Councillor Hilary Gough
• Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission, Executive Director, Norma Gunningham-Kapphahn
• Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion Consultant April Sora
• Committee Assistant Joyce Fast

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

The Chair called the meeting to order on Treaty 6 Territory and the Traditional Homeland of the Métis people.

2.

CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA

• Moved By: C. Masuskapoe
  1. That Reconciliation Saskatoon - Citizen Representative Report - Julia Jones be added as Item 6.2.2; 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 [File No. CK 225-83-1]

• Moved By: J. Jones

  That the minutes of meeting held on January 9, 2020 be adopted.

  
  CARRIED

5.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

6.

VERBAL UPDATES

6.1

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

The Chair verbally reported on the following:

• Attended India Students' Association flag raising on January 26, 2020.
• Attended the Saskatchewan Intercultural Association Banquet on February 6, 2020.
• The Open Door Society's Annual Diversity Awards Gala will be held on February 13, 2020;
• Black History Month celebrations will be held at the Frances Morrison Library on February 15, 2020.
• Race Relations Month Opening Ceremony will be held in Council Chambers, City Hall on February 28, 2020.

The Chair acknowledged Inspector James Oliver who was in attendance on behalf of Superintendent Dave Haye who will be the Saskatoon Police Service representative for the remainder of 2020, replacing Superintendent Brian Shalovelo.

• Moved By: A. Abukar

  That the information be received.

  
  CARRIED

6.2

Committee or Resource Member Update [File No. CK 225-83]

6.2.1

Cultural Diversity & Race Relations Coordinator Becky Sasakamoose Kuffner

Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Coordinator Sasakamoose Kuffner was unable to be in attendance, however, requested that the following events be noted:

• Opening Ceremony - Race Relations Month - Friday, February 28, 2020 at 1:30 pm in Council Chambers, City Hall.
• Living in Harmony Awards Ceremony - Friday, March 20, 2020 at 1:15 pm at the Broadway Theatre, 715 Broadway Avenue.

• Moved By: M. Soonias Ali

  That the information be received.

  
  CARRIED

6.2.2

Julia Jones

Julia Jones provided the following information as a citizen representative of Reconciliation Saskatoon:

• Reconciliation Saskatoon is a community of approximately 98 organizations and partners who have come together to initiate a city-wide conversation about reconciliation and provide opportunities for everyone to engage in Calls to Action.
• Planning is underway for the “Rock Your Roots” Walk for Reconciliation which will be held in June, 2020.
• An online tool, “ConnectR”, a project by Reconciliation Saskatoon, is now available to provide opportunities for everyone to engage in Calls to Action.

• Moved By: A. Abukar

  That the information be received.

  
  CARRIED

7.

REFERRALS FROM COUNCIL OR STANDING POLICY COMMITTEE

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.

8.1

Work Plan and Referrals to Standing Policy Committee [File No. 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.

8.1.1

Work Plan Subcommittee - Update [File No. CK 225-83]

The Committee resolved, at its meeting held on January 9, 2020, that the Work Plan Subcommittee draft the 2019 Annual Report and 2020 Work Plan for submission to City Council through the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services by March 31, 2020.

It was noted that the Work Plan Subcommittee would be meeting at the end of the month and will provide an update for the April meeting.

8.1.2

Population Subcommittee - Update [File No. CK 225-83]

The Population Subcommittee was established at the January 9, 2020 meeting in order to compile a list of the different populations within Saskatoon, and potential speakers from the various groups in order for the Committee to gain knowledge on matters of diversity, equity and inclusion.

It was noted that the Population Subcommittee has not met.  The Committee Assistant undertook to follow up with Subcommittee members to request an update for the April meeting.

8.1.3

Communications Subcommittee - Update [File No. CK 225-83]

The Communications Subcommittee was established to explore communication channels and establish new mechanisms to engage with the community.

It was noted that the Communications Subcommittee has not met.  The Committee Assistant undertook to follow up with Subcommittee members to request an update for the April meeting.

9.

EDUCATION AND AWARENESS INITIATIVES - CO-SPONSORSHIP [File No. CK 225-83]

9.1

Saskatoon Industry Education Council, Indigenous/Immigrant and Refugee Youth Engagement Contact Conference, April 22, 2020 [File No. CK 225-83]

A copy of the co-sponsorship request application was submitted.

• Moved By: R. Ahmed

  That the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Committee provide co-sponsorship in the amount of $1,000 to the Saskatoon Industry Education Council for the Indigenous/Immigrant and Refugee Youth Engagement Contact Conference to be held April 22, 2020.

  
  CARRIED

10.

REPORTS FROM ADMINISTRATION

10.1

Official Community Plan Redesign – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion [File No. CK 4350-69]

A report of the General Manager, Community Services Department, dated February 13, 2020, was submitted.

Senior Planner Ketilson provided a PowerPoint presentation to the Committee outlining the updates to the Official Community Plan related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Long Range Planning Manager Tyson McShane addressed questions of the Committee.

R. Ahmed excused himself from the meeting at 12:45 p.m.

• Moved By: J. Hamm

  That the information be received.

  
  CARRIED

11.

BUDGET - STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURES FOR 2020 [File No. CK 1704-5]

The current statement of expenditures was submitted.

At its meeting held on January 9, 2020, the Committee resolved to discuss educational training for members at this meeting.

Due to time constraints, this matter was deferred to the April meeting.

• Moved By: J. Jones
  1. That the information be received; and
  2. That discussion with regard to educational training for members be deferred to the April meeting.
  
  CARRIED

12.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 1:03 p.m.