Diversity Symposium for Parliament?

Take Diversity Symposium to Parliament Hill where it could resound across the land

By William Doyle-Marshall

Four advocates in the field of diversity and equity were awarded at the inaugural Community Inclusive Reference Group (CIRG) symposium held in York Region recently. They are Karmel Taylor former Coordinator of Community Initiatives: Community Partners with Schools (COMPASS) was selected for the Honourary DEIAS Award in the Individual Category. Karen Friedman, Superintendent of Schools. York Region District School Board; Richard Pinnock, Sr. Manager, Diversity & Inclusion, People and Organizational Capability with Walmart Canada Corp. and Evelina Silveira, President of Diversity At Work in London.

Diversity Award winners at York Region symposium with Michael Bowe, left, coordinator; Evelina Silveira, President of Diversity At Work, a firm based in London, Ontario; Karen Friedman, Superintendent of Schools, York Region District School Board Joyce Colquette sister of Karmel Taylor former Coordinator of Community Initiativesand Dr. Jean Augustine, Ontario’s Fairness Commissioner. The other Award Winner Richard Pinnock, Sr. Manager, Diversity & Inclusion, People and Organizational Capability with Walmart Canada Corp.is missing from the photo.(William Doyle-Marshall pix)

Four hundred participants attended the two day symposium co-chaired by Doug Loweth, Director of Clinical Services and Family Life Education Catholic Community Services of York Region and Mary Beth McLeod, Executive Director of The York Centre for Children, Youth and Families.

The CIRG was established three years ago as a forum for organizations who serve children, youth and families from diverse communities in York Region. Consequently, participants included organizations and individuals seeking to embrace diversity, equity and inclusivity in their business practices. “We came together to support and learn from each other as we recognized that we needed to change our practices to be responsive to the diverse communities of York Region,” the co-chairs recalled.

Fairness Commissioner Dr. Jean Augustine contended in her keynote speech, the ground-breaking symposium is on the cutting edge of best practices promoting diversity, promoting equity and promoting inclusion. Impressed by the more than 30 workshops over the two days of the event, Dr. Augustine suggested the incredible topics should be repeated across the country as well as on Parliament Hill “where it could resound across the land”

Noting the immigrant population of this country comes from source countries like India, Pakistan, the Philippines and China, Dr. Augustine stressed the vital necessity of Canadian society embracing diversity. “Embrace means I recognize that you exist and I recognize that you are one with me and me with you,” the Commissioner emphasized. Anticipating change in demographics by 2031, Dr. Augustine noted that in York Region alone the projection is that visible minorities (Canadian born and those born outside of Canada) would make up 62% of the population.

“We need to be ready, we need to be prepared, we need to attract, we need to integrate and we need to ensure that people stay with us in our organizations, as our neighbours around us because we know that newcomers bring talent, energy, ideas, international business contacts, languages and higher levels of education. They bring all of that to our various and varying communities into Canada,” Dr. Augustine continued.

Stephen Lewis, Distinguished Visiting Professor at Ryerson University reported to symposium participants in his keynote address that his American-based advocacy organization AIDS Free World was involved in serious efforts to gain equity for the gay community in Jamaica, Trinidad and Belize. The first ever domestic challenge against Jamaica’s Sodomy laws and challenge to the Immigration Act in Trinidad which bans entry to homosexuals and disabled peoples who are described as idiots in the legislation, are now before the Inter American Commission on Human Rights, Lewis disclosed. In addition, he cited a litany of human rights violations against women and children in places like India and Africa that are receiving his organization’s attention.

Inspector Ricky Veerapan of York Regional Police believes follow the session, participants must examine where they are because both keynote speakers set some incredible contexts for them to look at their history. “It’s about looking at where we are right now and more importantly what do we plan to do about it. How do we plan to move the yardstick forward,” the police officer said.

The Children’s Aid Society was among presenters. Its representatives shared with participants its attempt to deal with oppression and racism through its Anti Oppression Anti Racism Steering Committee.

Aubrey Gonsalves, president of CUPE2316 Local representing workers of the Society, reviewed the Steering Committee’s work The agency has 800 staff, foster parents and volunteers and that requires the use of many different initiatives in order to communicate. Gonsalves serves on the committee “which has some level of decision-making power. This is to make CAS’ policy implementation process more effective and strengthen the efforts of its members.

May 4, 2013