Role
The Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity was established by Resolution #67/90, Item #10, as amended by Resolution #128/00 with a mandate to provide guidance and advice to the community and to the City to promote the full and equal access, opportunity and participation of all citizens in the social, cultural, economic and political affairs of the community and the City.

The Committee is comprised of a variety of representatives which includes a Member of Council, three citizen appointments by Council and the balance of the Committee is comprised of persons appointed by various agencies such as the Durham District School Board, the Durham Catholic District School Board, the Durham Police Service, the Community Development Council Durham, student body representatives from each Pickering secondary school and the Ontario Race Relations Directorate.

Statement of Purpose and Glossary [PDF]

Membership
One Member of Council
3 Citizen Appointments

Contact
Marisa Carpino, 905.420.4620, ext. 2099

Heritage Day 2008

To commemorate Heritage Day in Ontario, the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity hosted the 2008 Heritage Day Celebration on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at the Pickering Town Centre.

The Heritage Day Celebration was a dynamic event that celebrated Pickering's rich heritage and cultural diversity. Visitors were be both entertained and informed by a variety of dance and musical performances as well as interactive displays. The City of Pickering Advisory on Race Relations & Equity Committee was proud to host the annual Heritage Day Celebration - an event that brings the community together by celebrating our differences.

The performances included County Town Singers, Ishay School of Dance, Joy Allen Highland Dancers, Shobha Talent & Cultural Centre, Pickering Museum Village Fashion Show, Durham Tamil Association, McGrath Highland Dancers, Joy Lapps representing the Pickering Carib Canadian Cultural Association, Zahra's School of Belly Dance, Pine Ridge Pumaz representing the Pickering Carib Canadian Cultural and the accordion performances by the Pickering Ajax Italian Social Club.

The event displays included Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity,
Pickering Museum Village, Congress of Black Women - Ajax/Pickering Chapter, Pickering Public Library, Pickering Ajax Italian Social Club, Community Development Council of Durham , Canadian Multicultural Forum, Durham Tamil Association, Hispanic Canadian Alliance of Ontario, Pickering Islamic Centre and [YOU]nity.

• 2008 Photos

Terms of Reference

In order to carry out its mandate, the Committee is charged with the responsibility of providing guidance and advice to the municipality, through the Mayor and the Council of the Corporation of the City of Pickering, with respect to matters involving race relations and equity issues within the community. In furtherance thereof, the Committee is instructed:

1. To analyze and project trends based on the demographic statistics of the City's population including languages spoken, size of ethnic, racial or cultural groups, immigration trends and settlement patterns and other relevant socio-economic data;
2. To receive and review data regarding incidents of prejudice, racism or conflicts of a racial nature;
3. To network with social service agencies, ethno-cultural groups and organizations interested in promoting race relations in the community;
4. To develop and recommend short- and long-term anti-racist strategies and cross-cultural communications initiatives;
5. To review policies, practices and programs of the municipality and to recommend adjustments or new initiatives;
6. To submit to Council an annual written report.