I

REPORT TO COUNCIL

SPECIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON CULTURAL COMMUNITIES

March 8, 1999

Council Date: March 23, 1999

INFORMATION

1. Annual ReportRTS No.: 502/CC File No.: 3055-1

This annual report covers the period January 1998 to December 1998.

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

· Commemoration of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

The Committee organized the Annual March 21st event in Council Chamber with the Mayor presenting a proclamation. A reception with ethnic food followed.

· Cultural Harmony Awards

The Committee planned this 4th Annual event. This year a City Council-funded Award brochure/nomination form was created, promoted and widely distributed throughout the community and on the City website.

· Creation of the Cultural Harmony Grove

A permanent site to honour Cultural Harmony Award recipients became a reality on October 23rd due to efforts of the Committee in conjunction with the Park Board. At a ceremony, the site was dedicated by the Mayor, a permanent plaque was installed, recipients of the 1998 Awards were presented, and trees were planted in honour of all recipients since the 1996 inception of the Cultural Harmony Award.

1998 Organization Award: Carousel Theatre
1998 Organization Honourable Mention: Vancouver Youth Theatre
1998 Sponsors: Vancouver City Council

United Way
Vancouver Park Board

Significant Issues and Topics:

Vancouver Police Department Diversity Initiatives:

_ Bruce Chambers, Chief Constable, spoke on his vision of diversity in the City and integration of the Diversity Section of the Vancouver Police Department into neighbourhoods
_ Constable Scott Thompson, Diversity Relations Unit, spoke on various issues
_ Dr. Kuldip Gill of the Police Chief's Advisory Committee on Diversity spoke on the role of this committee

Immigration Legislative Review

_ A Position Paper on the Federal Government's “Not Just Numbers: A Canadian Framework for Future Immigration” was submitted to Council.

Vancouver School Board Budget Cuts

_ Impact of cuts to First Nations Resource teachers, ESL team and the Anti-Racism and Equity Staff Development Coordinator positions were reviewed
_ Bill Yuen, Vancouver School Board Trustee, Liaison to the Committee, addressed budget cuts in regard to multicultural issues

Public Involvement Review - Evaluation Phase Report

_ Jacquie Forbes-Roberts, Director of Community Planning; Michael White, Community Planning; and Baldwin Wong, Social Planning, gave an overview of the Policy Report dated August 18, 1998

Equal Employment Opportunities Progress Report

_ the “Equal Employment Opportunity Program Progress Report 1986-1996” was evaluated and a report submitted to Council

Social Planning Services

_ Jeff Brooks, Director of Community Services - Social Planning and Alice Niwinski, Office of Cultural Affairs, gave an overview of services provided.

Reports/Correspondence Submitted to Council:

_ “Mandate, Goals and Objectives of Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities” - January 16, 1998 (Approved)
_ “Position Paper on Not Just Numbers: A Canadian Framework for Future Immigration” - February 16, 1998 (Adopted as amended and forwarded to Minister of Citizenship and Immigration)
_ Cultural Harmony Award request for funds - April 3, 1998 (approved as amended)
_ “Equal Employment Opportunity Program Progress Report 1986-1996” - letter of December 14, 1998 submitted for information only (received)

Future Directions

The Committee expects to pursue the following issues during 1999, subject to any direction which Council chooses to provide:

_ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - being held March 19, 1999 in Council Chamber
_ Review of new proposal by the Federal Government - “New Directions for Immigration and Refugee Policy and Legislation” (as requested by Council January 26, 1999)
_ Civic Rental Policy
_ 1999 Cultural Harmony Awards
_ Update from Vancouver Police Services on Diversity Issues
_ Other relevant issues as they arise

Dianne Wells Ledingham
Chair

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The City Manager submits the foregoing for INFORMATION.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver