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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEquity Anti-Racism Advisory Committee Minutes - 2022-08-31EQUITY & ANTI-RACISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 31, 2022 CITY OF KITCHENER The Equity & Anti-Racism Advisory Committee to Council met electronically this date, commencing at 5:30 p.m. Present: Saba Oji (Co-Chair), Andrea Daley, Avni Adams, Ayesha Munir, Danny Martin, Sharon Van Manen, Shawn (Bangishimo) Johnston, and Yexin Tan. Absent: Aaliyah Whyte-Watson, Christine Furniss, Paul Okoye (Co-Chair) Staff: Elin Moorlag Silk, Committee Staff Liaison Amanda Drumond, Committee Administrator Ileana Diaz, Research Associate, Equity, Anti-Racism & Indigenous Initiatives (EARII) Amanda Fusco, Director Legislated Services/City Clerk Sabiha Syed, Parks Engagement Liaison, Parks & Cemeteries 1. CHECK-IN AND REQUEST TO ADOPT AGENDA ITEMS Agenda items reviewed and approved. 2. UPDATES FROM EQUITY, ANTI-RACISM & INDIGENOUS INITIATIVES TEAM Ileana Diaz, Research Associate, EARII division, shared a presentation with the committee regarding the adoption of anonymized recruitment practices across various organizations. Anonymized recruitment involves removing identifiable factors from job application materials such as name, age, gender, etc. The advantages and disadvantages of anonymized recruitment practices were presented, based on studies conducted within comparable organizations. It was noted that recruitment is only one aspect of the necessary change that must occur; it is also equally important to retain and ensure a positive work environment for those with diverse backgrounds already in employed in their positions. This topic is related to the work that the City of Kitchener Human Resources division are currently undertaking to review overall hiring practices and procedures and forms a part of the larger body of work currently underway. 3. MUNICIPAL ELECTION ACCESSIBILITY PLAN STAFF PRESENTATION Amanda Fusco, Director Legislated Services/City Clerk, joined the meeting to gather feedback from the group regarding the Municipal Election Accessibility Plan. it is a legislative requirement under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996 that the Clerk responsible for conducting elections prepare a plan to 1 EQUITY & ANTI-RACISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 31, 2022 CITY OF KITCHENER consider the needs of electors and candidates with disabilities, ensuring that each voting place is accessible to electors with disabilities through the identification, removal and prevention of barriers that affect those with disabilities, and to make the plan available to the public before voting day. The Election Accessibility Plan will be followed by a Post-Election Accessibility Report, which will be made public within 90 days after Voting Day, to assess the initiatives taken by the City to address accessibility barriers. electoral services for persons with disabilities and will identify and proactively address accessibility barriers for the 2022 municipal election. In developing this Plan, the Election Committee has consulted with stakeholders and community members early in the election process, such as Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC), Mfor Kitchener Seniors (MACKS), and the Equity and Anti-Racism Advisory Committee (EARAC), to gain feedback on potential barriers and methods to overcome these barriers. The following areas of identified accessibility barriers were discussed in greater detail: 1. Consultation Initiatives 2. Communication Initiatives 3. Candidate Initiatives 4. Voting Place Initiatives 5. Voting Process Initiatives 6. Training Election Worker Initiatives 7. Post-election Accessibility Report The committee offered the following questions and feedback: Question was raised regarding any plans in place to serve students at post-secondary institutions; it was advised that during the engagement process, Conestoga College staff expressed that they were not interested in hosting a voting location on site, but the city will have a suitable voting location near the college. Question was raised regarding training of election workers to support transgender people; it was advised that the legislation only specifies traditional voter identification to be accepted such as photo I.D., but the city intends to incorporate feedback received into the training materials for the Deputy Returning Officers regarding specific scenarios as it relates to identification presented by individuals at voting locations. Question was raised on how the information in the Accessibility Plan will be conveyed to the public; it was and promoted through social media, as well as legislated requirements to publish information in a general circulation newspaper; printed copies can also be generated upon request. 2 EQUITY & ANTI-RACISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 31, 2022 CITY OF KITCHENER 4. PARKS & SPACES STAFF PRESENTATION Sabiha Syed, Parks Engagement Liaison, Parks & Cemeteries division, joined the meeting to give a presentation about Parks Strategic Plan to better understand and accurately reflect current demands of park space. To better understand how parks are used, what barriers exist to using parks, and what residents value most about parks, feedback on accessibility is being sought to help create more accessible, welcoming and inclusive parks for all. The committee offered the following comments and feedback: - removal of hostile architecture (e.g., deterrents on park benches to prevent people from lying down) - year-round accessible pathways/trails, especially in colder winter months - year-round access to outdoor spaces and playground equipment - accessible features such as those at - rentable wheelchairs available at parks - year-round (winterized) bathrooms - incorporate more inclusive public art in parks, interactive art installations - better lighting at night, especially on pathways/trails Committee members were encouraged to reach out to Sabiha directly if they have additional comments or recommendations. BREAK 6:35-6:45pm 5. CORPORATE EQUITY TRAINING STRATEGY STAFF PRESENTATION Elin Moorlag Silk, Interim Manager of Service Coordination & Improvement, presented an update on the corporate Equity, Diversity and Inclusion training strategy and implementation plan. Background: The Mayors Task Force on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (2019-2021) made specific recommendations on employee learning programs at the City of Kitchener; staff have since created an implementation plan to deliver the equity and anti-racism training in alignment with the recommendations that were made. The main objectives of the training strategy are to support equitable and inclusive service delivery to customers; and, to support an equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace for City of Kitchener employees. The program approach falls into three broad categories: (1) mandatory programs for all employees; (2) mandatory advanced training for certain employee groups; (3) voluntary/supplemental training to provide continuous learning opportunities. 3 EQUITY & ANTI-RACISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 31, 2022 CITY OF KITCHENER Elin provided details on each training category such as learning initiatives/goals, target audience, and sample courses. It was noted that the implementation timeline recommended by the Task Force was three (3) years. Methods that will be used to support accountability and monitoring include: - Staff will be assigned mandatory training and tracked in - Regular progress reports will go to management for accountability - Programs will have an exceptions process to recognize prior training and lived experience - Volunteer training to be administered and tracked through - Throughout development & implementation the Equity, Anti-Racism Advisory Committee will be consulted, and updates provided for accountability Elin concluded the presentation by outlining next steps towards implementation; it was noted that once the training program has been rolled out to staff, there will be an ongoing review of programs. This will be an opportunity for the advisory committee to bring emerging needs to the attention of staff so that programs are relevant to community needs. ND 6. DECISION.IO REFRESHER (2 APPLICATION INTAKE FOR THE RISE FUND) Due to time constraints, this item will be circulated to the committee members via email. 7. WORKPLAN DISCUSSION Saba shared the workplan document for final review and comments. 8. CALL FOR SEPTEMBER AGENDA ITEMS AND STAFF REPORTS Potential September Agenda Items: Updates from Equity, Anti-Racism & Indigenous Initiatives Team Member Andrew Ramsaroop, Social Planning and Affordable Housing Program Lead Discussion about how the committee would like to be recognized beyond the honorarium Continued work on draft workplan 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm. 4 EQUITY & ANTI-RACISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 31, 2022 CITY OF KITCHENER A. Drumond Committee Administrator 5