A visibly impatient Brad Clark expressed his “deep disappointment” that more hadn’t been done to get the Committee Against Racism re-launched as well as The Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre. Clark had been the council appointee to both organizations. The Hamilton Anti Racism Resource Centre is a clearing-house for receiving and disseminating information about race incidents and hate speech. It was operating independently until last December, when Council voted to bring it under city control. The issue arose at the emergency and Community Services Committee meeting this week as staff were presenting a timetable for the resumption of a number of citizen advisory groups including, the Committee Against Racism.
Clark expressed impatience that more progress had not been made on the Committee against Racism issue and the new operating structure for the Resource Centre.
The plan was to consult with the community to find out the competencies persons should possess to be on the Hamilton Anti Racism Resource Centre and at the same time to find a consultant who would recommend possible board members and structure for the centre going forward,”
Clark had taken some heat last year in the discussion leading up to the decision to take the Resource Centre In house, but in the end obtained unanimous approval for the plan to take over the centre.
COVID or no COVIOD he said the consulting work with the racial communities could have been done. “We had over 500 email addresses, and could have done the consultation virtually,” he said. It’s disappointing that nothing has been done.”
Under new rules established by council, all community groups can resume meeting electronically. The meetings will be live streamed through the City’s YouTube channel with Members participating through phone or computer depending on the technology that the Member has access to or wishes to use. Staff have surveyed Members to determine the level of technology they own, and at a minimum, everyone will be able to participate by phone.
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