Measuring racism in Hamilton!

Interesting discussion at the General Issues Committee regarding a pilot auditor generals project. About 3 hundred thousand bucks a year for two personnel over three years is being discussed for this year's budget. It has been deferred back to staff for a rewrite but it seems clear from the speeches and questions from around the table that after 8 years of discussion it is about to happen. Stay tuned.
Secondly Ward 4's Councillor Sam Merulla brought forward a notice of motion regarding U.S. Steels actions at Hilton Works. More on that to come.
Most interestingly 9 recommendations were brought forward by the Committee Against Racism who's advisory purpose is to advise, advocate and consult on relevant issues in the community of Hamilton relating to racism and it's consequences.
I will paraphrase the 9 recommendations for brevity's sake.
One; that council direct the Access and Equity Office to a release a report detailing the number of total staff at manager level who have completed the Racial Equity Training.
Two; that council on behalf of CAR request a copy of the Hamilton Police Service's Equity Policy. By the way it came up during the presentation that CAR has been asking for a copy for 8 years without receiving one.
Three; that all councillors and their staff take racial equity training within one year of office (CAR accepted a suggestion that it be two years)
Four; that Council approve the formation of an Access and Equity Standing Committee of Council.
Five;  that Council direct Management including Human Resources to develop and implement a plan of action making the City's workforce more reflective of the City's diverse population.
Six; that Human Resources actively consult with CAR on recruiting, hiring, promotion and retention with updates every six months to CAR.
Seven; that Council direct staff to make the City's website multilingual.
Eight; that council approve a feasibility study establishing a resource centre with a staffed telephone line including education and training for the community.
Nine; that Council direct the Access and Equity office to work in collaboration with CAR on the development of a public awareness campaign that will focus on the impact of racism and how to address it.

Councillor Tom Jackson had this question, "how much and who will pay for such a resource centre?". The response from Roger Cameron chair of CAR was basically a number of partners including the city. One more note. The CAR presentation wanted to make it clear that the United Nations no longer appreciates the term "visible minority". CAR will no longer use that term and asked that perhaps Hamilton become a leader in this country in using the interim term of "racialized persons". Something to watch for perhaps down the road.

Tomorrow Ward 12 Councillor Lloyd Ferguson will join us on "For the Record, Council Edition beginning at 5 o'clock, following hourly thereafter on Cable 14. Some of the subjects we'll discuss, the ongoing budget process, the 11th hr attempts to keep the Board of Education located downtown and Ward 12 issues like Wilson Street reconstruction this summer that will impact or not, on Heritage Days in Ancaster. Hope you'll tune in.