HomeMy WebLinkAboutEquity Anti-Racism Advisory Committee Minutes - 2023-06-28EQUITY & ANTI -RACISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 28, 2023 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Equity & Anti -Racism Advisory Committee met electronically this date, commencing at 5:30 p.m.
Present: Veronica Vasquez (Co -Chair), Danny Martin (Co -Chair), Ann Marie Beals, Avni Adams, Leo Campbell,
Saba Oji, Yexin Tan
Absent: Ayesha Munir, Fiorella Benini, Oluseun Olayinka, Paul Okoye, Rida Rahman
Staff: Rea Parchment, Committee Staff Liaison
Amanda Drumond, Committee Administrator
Natalie Goss, Manager Policy & Research
Garett Stevenson, Interim Director Planning
Sophia Stanberry, Director, Equity, Anti -Racism & Indigenous Initiatives (EARII)
Sue Weare, Community Engagement Consultant
1. CHECK-IN AND APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES
D. Martin convened the meeting.
The minutes were approved as distributed.
2. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF - NIL
3. CoK "GOOD THINGS" UPDATE
R. Parchment shared good news updates with the committee on the work of the City related to EDI for the month
of June. Highlights included events, programming and resources for National Indigenous History Month and
Pride Month.
4. STAFF PRESENTATION — KITCHENER MUNICIPAL HOUSING PLEDGE
N. Goss, Manager Policy & Research and G. Stevenson, Interim Director Planning, joined the meeting to share a
presentation regarding City of Kitchener Planning & Housing Related Studies. Topics included planning
framework; development applications; Housing for All Strategy (2020); Provincial Housing Pledge (2023); Missing
Middle and Affordable Housing Study (2023); Inclusionary Zoning (2023); and Rental Housing, Eviction and
Displacement Study (2023). During the presentation, staff responded to questions and comments from committee
members. (Staff presentation has been appended to the meeting minutes)
In response to a question regarding the Provincial Housing Pledge's commitment to enable the construction of
35,000 new residential units by 2031, it was advised that these units do not have to be new construction, new unit
creation can be achieved through a variety of possibilities, including retrofitting existing buildings.
In response to a question regarding new development proposals, it was advised that there was no further
breakdown provided by the Province for a specific number of units that need to be affordable housing units,
although 'Inclusionary Zoning' is one of the tools that the City can use to enable affordable housing, by requiring
new developments to include a certain percentage of affordable units.
Clarification was sought regarding collaboration with educational institutions; staff advised that the City recognizes
the construction of more housing units will require skilled trades and labour, and the City continues to leverage
EQUITY & ANTI -RACISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 28, 2023 CITY OF KITCHENER
their relationships with local educational institutions to support skilled trade programs, and to ensure there is
enough labour to construct the housing needed.
In response to a question about ensuring there is sufficient housing for students in the area as educational
institutions expand enrollment, staff advised that ongoing collaboration with post -secondary institutions is taking
place to ensure there is adequate and safe housing supply for students.
In response to a question about preventive measures for renovictions, it was advised that staff are working on
understanding the scope of the issue and need to be notified sooner to give residents information/resources to
know their rights. Suggestion was made from the committee that staff connect with Waterloo Region ACORN
group to share and gather information in the local context.
G. Stevenson provided further explanation about the Rental Replacement Bylaw, which could be enacted when a
landowner is demolishing 6 or more units and allows the City to require that those units be replaced like -for -like in
the new development. It was advised that staff are in the process of completing further analysis before making a
recommendation to Council.
In response to a question about cooperative housing, staff advised that the City is exploring tools that could be put
in place to support new or existing co-op housing, recognizing that this is a long-term affordable housing option.
In response to a question about the 'Housing First' model, staff advised the City's Housing for All Strategy identifies
housing as a human right, and they are currently working closely with the Region to find solutions for
implementing attainable, supportive, and assisted housing whenever possible.
BREAK — 6:31-6:36pm
5. STAFF PRESENTATION — QUEEN VICTORIA STATUE ENGAGEMENT UPDATE
S. Stanberry, Director, EARII division and S. Weare, Community Engagement Consultant, joined the meeting to
provide an update on the Queen Victoria statue engagement project that was paused earlier this year.
S. Stanberry provided background information regarding the project; it was noted that the statue has been
vandalized several times since 2021, and in the fall of 2021 the city erected a new plaque beside the statue to
acknowledge the harm that the statue may cause. In response to community concerns and growing awareness
about the legacy of place names and symbols, Kitchener City Council directed staff to prioritize an "equity -driven
process" including a public education component exploring the history and impacts of the Queen Victoria statue
located in Victoria Park, and community engagement activities to unpack multiple perspectives and options
related to its future.
The initial first phase of the project included a partnership with consultant Jay Pitter Placemaking, who developed
a community engagement strategy, a public education framework, and provided advice to senior leadership staff
to help inform an equitable placemaking approach to this initiative. Work concluded with Jay Pitter in January
2023 and the City followed Jay's advice to temporarily pause the project while focusing on the next phase of
community engagement.
EQUITY & ANTI -RACISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 28, 2023 CITY OF KITCHENER
During the next phase of the project, which includes recommendations from Jay Pitter as well as emerging best
practices, the City will be moving towards a co -led engagement model that will amplify the voices of Indigenous,
Black and racialized community members to minimize the impacts of colonialism that the statue represents. Staff
are currently looking at undergoing a Request For Proposal (RFP) process to select a consultant that will lead the
facilitation process to co -design the engagement tactics, and this new approach will allow staff to work more
closely with the consultant around the local context, and the formation of an advisory working group made up of
community members, that will be an integral part of the engagement process.
S. Stanberry shared the three (3) functions of a co -led engagement model: 1) Informing decisions; 2)
Strengthening relationships; 3) Sharing knowledge.
Some of the benefits of a co -led engagement model are reducing harm to the community, considers lived
experience and cultural realities, builds trust, provides greater transparency and creates more engaged
communities.
In response to a question about the need for additional engagement on this initiative, it was noted that future
engagement will be more targeted to ensure an accurate representation of the Kitchener population,
acknowledging the need to amplify the voices of those who are affected and harmed by what the statue
represents and ensures they are involved in the decision.
The City aims to hire a consultant who has specialization in community -led approaches, and who understands the
local context; request was made to the committee members to forward any suggestions for consultants to R.
Parchment.
S. Weare shared an overview of the proposed project phases:
Phase 1 — Preparation & Research — Complete
Phase 2 — Engagement & Education
Phase 3 — Summarize & Report
Phase 4 — Implement Results
In response to a question of how the committee would like to stay informed about this project going forward,
members advised they would prefer to receive regular updates from staff, either by email or at future committee
meetings.
In response to a question about the renaming of Victoria Park, S. Stanberry advised that staff are hoping to take
the learnings from this project and use the same principles for any future renaming projects (e.g., renaming of
local roads, schools, parks, etc.). With regards to adding the renaming of Victoria Park to the Queen Victoria
statue project, it was advised that any change to the scope of the project would require Council approval.
A suggestion was put forward from the committee to include an updated project timeline on the existing Queen
Victoria statue signage; S. Weare noted that City projects currently in development are posted on the Engage WR
website and advised that once the consultant is hired the City will release a project update to the public as well.
6. DEBRIEF AND PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE RISE FUND GRANT
Due to time constraints this item has been deferred to a future meeting.
EQUITY & ANTI -RACISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 28, 2023 CITY OF KITCHENER
7. 3rd CO-CHAIR AND SUMMER BREAK DISCUSSION
D. Martin led a discussion with members regarding breaking the committee for the summer months (July/August).
R. Parchment will send out a poll to all committee members by email with various options.
D. Martin gaged interest from the group about electing a 3rd Co -Chair as a backup if either of the existing Co -
Chairs are unavailable to attend a scheduled meeting. Committee members were in favour.
At this time, S. Oji volunteered self for the position of 3rd Co -Chair.
On motion by A.M. Beals, and seconded by Y. Tan
It was resolved:
"That S. Oji be appointed as 3rd Co -Chair of the Equity & Anti -Racism Advisory Committee for the
remainder of the 2022-2024 term."
8. CALL FOR AGENDA ITEMS, STAFF REPORTS & GENERAL DISCUSSION
D. Martin made the call for agenda items, the following items were put forth:
• Equitable Hiring Practices at the City of Kitchener / Demographic Survey — update from staff
• Downtown Kitchener 2023 Events & Celebration calendar — review the events with an Equity, Anti -Racism
and Diversity lens
• Review the Workplan of the inaugural Equity & Anti -Racism Advisory Committee
R. Parchment advised on 3 newjob postings coming up for the Equity division in the next few weeks:
- Senior Indigenous Advisor
- Program Coordinator
- Senior Advisor
9. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:32 pm.
A. Drumond
Committee Administrator
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