Combating Racism, Discrimination and Hatred Advisory Committee

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Online Video Conference
Members Present
  • Co-Chair and Councillor Dipika Damerla
  • Co-Chair and Councillor Martin Reid
  • Councillor Alvin Tedjo
  • Abdul Qayyum Mufti
  • Emi Roni
  • Joann De Murrell
  • Michelle Eze
  • Nicole Rye
  • Pamela Gunn
  • Samuel Cooper
  • Shari Stoch
  • Sonia Ojha
  • Tony Oseivhi
  • Citizen Member (VACANT)
Staff Present
  • Martha Cameron

City Staff

Robert Trewartha, Director, Strategic Communications & Initiatives
Uzma Shakir, Strategic Leader, Diversity & Inclusion 
Sacha Smith, Manager, Secretariat and Access & Privacy
Eglantina Bacaj-Gondia, Legislative Coordinator 

1.
CALL TO ORDER

 

Councillor Damerla, Co-Chair called the meeting to order at 6:46 PM.

2.
INDIGENOUS LAND STATEMENT

 

Councillor Damerla Co-Chair recited the Indigenous Land Statement.

3.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Approved (A. Q Mufti)

4.
DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 

Nil

5.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

5.1
Combating Racism, Discrimination and Hatred Advisory Committee Minutes - December 4, 2024

 

Combating Racism, Discrimination and Hatred Advisory Committee Minutes – December 4, 2024

Approved (T. Oseivhi)

6.
PRESENTATIONS - Nil

 

7.
DEPUTATIONS

 

7.1
Robert Trewartha, Director, Strategic Communications and Initiatives regarding OneMississauga campaign

 

Rob Trewartha, Director, Strategic Communications and Initiatives provided an overview of the OneMississauga campaign, highlighting its design concepts, phases, timelines, and next steps. The campaign will proceed to the General Committee as its next steps.

The Committee discussed the campaign and raised questions about the campaign. Members of the Committee highlighted the need for a neutral approach, ensuring that no specific community is targeted. R. Trewartha and Uzma Shakir, Strategic Leader, Diversity and Inclusion, provided comments. R. Trewartha will update the Committee on the campaign’s engagement and progress. 

  • RECOMMENDATIONCRDHAC-0001-2025
    Moved ByCouncillor A. Tedjo

    That the deputation and associated presentation from Robert Trewartha, Director, Strategic Communications and Initiatives regarding OneMississauga campaign, be received. 

    Received

7.2
Item 10.2 Robert Trewartha, Director, Strategic Communications and Initiatives

 

R. Trewartha provided an overview of the City’s approach to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and shared an update on the development of the City’s new EDI strategy, Empowering Change: A Comprehensive EDI Strategy. Uzma Shakir highlighted key strategic initiatives, collaborations, and the steps the City has taken in advancing these efforts. The first draft of the strategy is expected to be finalised and presented to the committee at the next meeting.

During the discussion, committee members reviewed the proposed initiatives, sought clarifications, and engaged in deliberations. R. Trewartha and Uzma Shakir addressed all questions and provided insights into the strategy’s progress.

  • RECOMMENDATIONCRDHAC-0002-2025
    Moved ByPamela Gunn

    That the deputation from Robert Trewartha, Director, Strategic Communications and Initiatives regarding Empowering Change: A Comprehensive EDI Strategy for the City of Mississauga (2025-2031), be received.

    Received

8.
PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD - 15 Minute Limit 

 

Nil

9.
CONSENT AGENDA

 

Nil

  • That the following items were approved on consent:

    •  

10.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED

 

CHANGE TO MATTERS CONSIDERED

10.1
Combating Racism, Discrimination and Hatred Advisory Committee Work Plan Reporting

 

*Appendix 2 was re-numbered

U. Shakir outlined the reports scheduled for presentation to the Committee throughout the year.

  • RECOMMENDATIONCRDHAC-0003-2025
    Moved BySamuel Cooper

    That Appendix 2 in the memorandum from Eglantina Bacaj-Gondia, Legislative Coordinator, Legislative Services dated February 4, 2025, entitled “Combating Racism, Discrimination and Hatred Advisory Committee Work Plan Reporting”, be approved.

    Approved

10.2
Empowering Change: A Comprehensive EDI Strategy for the City of Mississauga (2025-2031)

 

This item was discussed and voted on during item 7.2.

  • RECOMMENDATIONCRDHAC-0004-2025
    Moved ByNicole Rye

    That the memorandum from Robert Trewartha, Director, Strategic Communications and Initiatives dated February 4, 2025 entitled “Empowering Change: A Comprehensive EDI Strategy for the City of Mississauga (2025-2031)”, be received.

    Received

11.
INFORMATION ITEMS - Nil

 

12.
OTHER BUSINESS

 

In response to a question about the vacancy in citizenship membership, Sacha Smith, Deputy Clerk/Manager of Legislative Services, explained that the application has been posted on the website and will remain open until February 17, 2025, after which interviews will be conducted.

13.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING - May 14, 2025

 

14.
ADJOURNMENT

 

7:46 PM (S. Ojha).

No Item Selected