Burlington Inclusivity Advisory Committee Meeting

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
3800 Constable Henshaw Blvd. (Halton Regional Police Services)

1.
Members Present:
 

Doug Martin (Chair), Rana Al Semaani (Vice Chair), Jim Young (BSAC), Heba Lamloum, Carrie Overholt, Kumkum Bhandari (BPL), Brent Hughes (Halton Police)

2.
Member Regrets:
 

Maroun Naser, Mumba Litana, Jenna Bye, Ron Baliko (BAAC), Kate Dunn, Girish Parekh

3.
Others Present:
 

Councillor Bentivegna, Lisa Palermo (Clerk)

4.
Declarations of Interest:
 

None.

5.
Approval of Minutes:
 

6.
Delegation(s):
 

6.1
Tara Thorpe, to discuss Pride Day flag raising and future Pride Day opportunities.
 

Tara advised that she participates in a Free Mom Hugs group in Hamilton and organized the recent Proclamation and Pride Flag Raising at Burlington City Hall.  Tara indicated that discussions sparked at the flag raising to organize a future Pride event in Burlington and she attended the meeting to gauge BIAC's interest in supporting such an event.  Tara indicated that she is willing to work with PSN and BIAC and the community to pursue a future event.

BIAC members also indicated their willingness to support a future Pride event.

6.2
Sarina and Kelly, representing Positive Space Network
 

Attended to provide input and answer questions.  PSN and ROCK would support a pride event in Burlington.  Their Youth Action Committee could be engaged to assist.  They indicated that they are open to continuing the conversation and working with the community to pursue an event.

6.3
Hanadi Almasri, Director of Social Innovations & Enterprises, HMC Connections
 

Rescheduled to a future BIAC meeting.

7.
Regular Items:
 

7.1
Newcomer subcommittee update
This item has attachments. 

1.Newcomers_Minutes-of-Meeting June 7 2019.pdf

Heba provided a subcommittee update:

  • the subcommittee suggests focusing on new residents to Burlington
  • they discussed the gaps that exist for newcomers ( those with language barriers may not understand emergency protocols, how do new residents find out about HMC connections, etc.)  Another challenge is finding the new residents that need assistance (cultural organizations? churches? libraries? Ontario Works?)
  • the subcommittee is interested in gathering more data via Environics, Community Development Halton, etc.
  • subcommittee will meet again over the summer to continue discussions.

7.2
Economically disenfranchised subcommittee update
 

The subcommittee will meet over the summer for further discussions on this topic.

8.
Other Business:
 

9.
Adjournment: 11:00 a.m.
 

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