REPORT TO COUNCIL

SPECIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL COMMUNITIES

March 5, 2002

File: 3055-1/RTS: 2536
Council: March 26, 2002

INFORMATION

1. Annual Report

This annual report covers the period January 2001 to December 2001.

The Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities was appointed by Council as directed by a resolution of Council on March 29, 1994. A current membership list is attached.

The Committee's mandate as approved by Council on February 3, 1998 is:

To act as a conduit towards forging and enhancing cohesive values in Vancouver's diverse communities and to promote harmony through cultural communities involvement.

Goal 1:
· To promote and increase welcoming and inclusion of all cultural communities in neighbourhoods and communities of Vancouver.
Goal 2:
· To facilitate the communication between cultural communities and the City of Vancouver.
Goal 3:
· To promote sensitivity, fairness and effectiveness of City policies, action plans, strategies, services, programs and systems that impact cultural communities.

Significant Activities

Cultural Harmony Awards
· The Committee planned the 7th Annual event held on Friday June 15, 2001 at the Cultural Harmony Grove. Council approved the following awards:

Individual: Clive Mallory

The Committee agreed to change the timing of the event to coincide with Spring planting, more appropriate weather conditions and encourage increased community participation.

International Day for the Elimination of Racism - March 21, 2001
· The Mayor delivered a Proclamation at Council on March 13, 2001.

Significant Issues and Topics:

City Hall Lights Program (Decorative Lighting)
· The program, initiated by the Committee and partially funded by the Hastings Institute, was implemented December 11, 2001. Trees at the entrance to City Hall will be illuminated to acknowledge significant cultural and religious dates celebrated by the City's diverse communities. Guidelines and application form are available on the web to facilitate participation in the program.

Racist Graffiti and Provincial Hate Crime Team
· Sergeant Fiona Weller (City Police) and Corporal Michael Labossiere (RCMP) gave a presentation on the Provincial Crime Team and its relation to the City;
· Rowan Birch and Helen Chomolok, Anti-Graffiti Task Force, reviewed the City graffiti removal process and worked with the Committee to develop guidelines for data gathering and procedures relating to removal of graffiti on both public and private property;

Note: A report to Council on this issue is being prepared by staff;

· As a result of the Committee's request, a letter from the Mayor dated December 11, 2001 in support of the continuation of the Provincial Hate Crime Team was sent to the Premier, Attorney-General and the Solicitor-General.

Civic Rental Policy
· The Committee assisted the city staff to include a reference to compliance with all applicable city by laws, federal and provincial legislation including B.C. Human Rights Code in rental agreements of Parks & Recreation community centres and Vancouver Public Library. The committee continues to liaise with Civic Theatres in this regard.

Public Involvement Review
· Michael White, Planning, and Baldwin Wong, Social Planning, reviewed the PIR multicultural implementation plan and translation and interpretation policy and received input from the Committee.

Election and Translations
· Jan Gibson, Director of Meeting and Election Services, provided information regarding the perceived lack of language translation and assistance at polling stations in the 1999 municipal election.

Note: At the February 2002 meeting, the City Clerk received suggestions to improve access for voters with language barriers for the 2002 election.

Hastings Institute
· Lorna McCreath, Executive Director, provided an overview of the Institute includingits relationship to both the City and the Committee.

Future Directions

The Committee suggests the in-coming Committee pursue the following issues and events during 2002, subject to any direction which Council chooses to provide:

· International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination;
· Cultural Harmony Awards;
· Election and Translations;
· Anti-Graffiti guidelines and procedures;
· Follow up on implementation and effectiveness of City Hall Lights Program;
· Other issues as they arise will be considered by the Committee.

The Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities appreciates the contributions from Rajpal Kohli, EEO; Baldwin Wong, Social Planning; Susan Gordon, Parks & Recreation, and Diane Clairmont, City Clerk's Office, in developing, facilitating and implementing projects undertaken by the Committee.

(sgd) Lorraine Gerard
Vice-Chair
Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The City Manager submits the 2001 Annual Report of the Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities for INFORMATION. The City Manager congratulates the Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities for the significant number of activities successfully undertaken.

* * * * *

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver