The City of Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity is made up of municipal leaders (for a three year term), school board representatives, community cultural associations, community appointees & students and has been involved in the design and delivery of race relations programs and initiatives in the community for over a decade. The Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity has worked closely over the years with many different groups and organizations, particularly our youth, to promote racial and ethnic harmony. For more information on the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity, please visit the Committee's page on the City Website.
At the request of the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity, Pickering Council proclaimed May 2010 as Asian Heritage Month at their April 19th Council Meeting. David Pickles, Committee Chair and City Councillor - Ward Three explains “The City of Pickering is among the most diverse in the Durham Region and the Asian Community is a significant part of our cultural mosaic. As such, the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity wishes to recognize their contributions to Pickering's past, present and future through this proclamation”. “By celebrating Asian Heritage Month, we are recognizing a broad, diverse and important segment of our population,” said Mayor David Ryan. “Our Asian-Canadian residents are leaders in our community. Their numerous and meaningful contributions help make Pickering one of Canada's very best places to live, work and play.” In December 2001, The Honourable Vivienne Poy introduced a motion in the Senate of Canada to designate May as Asian Heritage Month. The Government of Canada officially recognized May as Asian Heritage Month in May, 2002. The resolution at the Senate of Canada appropriately explains its significance: “Be it resolved that May be recognized as Asian Heritage Month, given the important contributions of Asian Canadians to the settlement, growth and development of Canada, the diversity of the Asian Community, and its present significance to this country.” The Pickering Public Library will have a display of materials and resources in their lobby during the month of May to commemorate Asian Heritage Month. Moreover, the Pickering Public Library will feature an Author Reading entitled “South Asian Adventures”. Celebrate Asian Heritage Month with this presentation by GEM Munro with his new book of true short stories at the Central Library on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 7:00 pm. Books are available for purchase, with all profits from the sale going to the Amarok Society. Registration is required. Dinesh Kumar, Secretary with the Durham Tamil Association says “The Durham Tamil Association, celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year, is proud to be a community partner with the City of Pickering. We are pleased to support the great initiatives by Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity by celebrating Asian Heritage Month. Durham Tamil Association and its kids & youth will be showcasing Tamil Language & Culture on Friday, May 28, 2010 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Pickering Recreation Complex. This event is open to public at no charge - everyone welcome!” We encourage our community to get involved and participate during Asian Heritage Month. -30- As the gateway city to the east GTA, Pickering (population 94,000) is strategically located where Toronto, York and Durham Regions meet. Pickering is an affluent community that is steeped in history, natural beauty and small town charm with all the amenities and services that a big city has to offer. The City of Pickering is considered a municipal leader in fiscal management, service delivery, sustainability and the environment; and offers a wealth of sports, leisure and recreation opportunities to its residents. Pickering has been recognized by Profit magazine as one of the ten best cities in Canada for growth companies and received the 2008 FCM-CH2M Hill Sustainable Community Planning Award. Media Contact:
Winning work on display at Pickering Civic Complex PICKERING -- WInning students from across Durham Region showcased their creativity at the 2010 Race Relations Forum in Pickering on Wednesday night. In September, the PIckering advisory committee on race relations and equity partnered ... See the full article here.
Multiculturalism is the hallmark of the success of Canada and the popularity of the national mosaic that is woven into it's fabric. This was evident recently when the Durham Tamil ... See the full article here.
PICKERING -- Residents of all ages and backgrounds came out to celebrate Pickering's diversity Saturday. “It's very nice,” said resident Mona Udit. “We've been coming the past two years.” Residents and shoppers continuously stopped by The Pickering Town Centre's Centre Court throughout the day to check out the performances and interactive displays at the City of Pickering's Heritage Day Celebration. Councillors, Mayor Dave Ryan and Ajax-Pickering MP Mark Holland also attended the festivities. “It's great to see the numbers out here that we're seeing,” said Ward 2 City Councillor Doug Dickerson. He was impressed when he observed many people staying for a number of the performances, rather than simply stopping by for a few minutes and moving on. Ward 3 City Councillor David Pickles, chairman of the group that put on the event, the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations and Equity, was pleased with the turnout. The committee, he said, is the first of its kind in Durham and is now 20 years old. “It's nice to see the culture come alive and people getting exposed to it,” he said. “It shows a very diverse community.” Coun. Pickles emphasized the high involvement of youth in many of the cultural groups in Pickering. One of those groups is the Durham Tamil Association, which this year celebrates its 10-year anniversary. “Our focus is to give back to the community,” said Dinesh Kumar, an executive committee member of the group. Mr. Kumar said the organization is proud to be Canadian, and teaches the children involved in the group to value the Tamil community, but also get involved in local initiatives to enhance their own exposure to diversity. Other groups in attendance had similar thoughts. “I think it's a great opportunity the City of Pickering has offered us,” said Raveena Rajasingham, the president of the Tamil Cultural and Academic Society of Durham. Ms. Rajasingham explained the society focuses on academics, culture, volunteerism, environmental and health awareness, and said Pickering is a great community to be a part of. “Pickering has respect for a lot of cultures and overall I think Pickering is a great city to live in,” she said. The Congress of Black Women of Canada's Ajax-Pickering chapter also had a booth, focusing on the scientific and academic breakthroughs that black people have made in north America in the spirit of Black History Month, rather than simply focusing on the most popular of their contributors such as music stars, said Marcia Dixon, the president of the group. “It's nice to see the different organizations and different groups,” she said. “You get a chance to see what's out there.” Ms. Dixon hopes to recruit more young people to the group, with hopes of them carrying on its work in the future. Other cultural groups at the event included Devi Mandir, the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, Zahra's School of Dance and the Pickering Museum Village.
Pickering, ON, January 28, 2010 - “On behalf of the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity, I wish to extend deepest condolences to the people of Haiti and the Pickering families who have also been affected,” said David Pickles, Chair Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity, and City Councillor, Ward 3. “Through our sustained efforts, we can make a real and meaningful difference in the lives of many in Haiti who are looking to rebuild their shattered lives.” At the January 18th Pickering Council meeting, Mayor Ryan and Members of Council recognized the Haiti disaster, which was followed by a moment of silence for those who perished. The Mayor and Members of Council all pledged to make donations to the Canadian Red Cross and publicly asked the community to aid in the relief efforts. As such, the City is proud of the community-wide response to date. Many Pickering residents, community groups and businesses have already made donations to the Haitian relief efforts and/or organized fundraising events. Al Dente Restaurant, Veridian Corporation, Lone Star Restaurant, and Port restaurant are some of the many Pickering businesses who are helping to raise funds. From now until February 12, 2010, the Government of Canada has announced it would match the generosity of individual Canadians up to $50 million for a total of $100 million in aid for Haiti. This goal has not yet been reached, so the Mayor, Members of council and the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity urge Pickering residents to continue with their donations and fundraising efforts. Residents are advised to donate only to registered Canadian charitable agencies. Some of the well-known Canadian organizations currently involved in Haiti relief efforts are: Canadian Red Cross; World Vision; Unicef; Plan Canada; Doctors Without Borders; and Humanitarian Coalition. “This tragedy has exacted a terrible toll, and my heartfelt condolences goes out to all those who lost a loved one in Haiti,” said Mayor Dave Ryan. “Moving forward, we need to continue with our humanitarian efforts, as it will take time, money, and resources to rebuild a better, stronger and more self-sufficient nation of Haiti.” About the City of Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity: The City of Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity, made up of municipal leaders, school board representatives, community cultural associations, community appointees and students, has been involved in the design and delivery of race relations programs and initiatives in the community for nearly 20 years. The first municipality in the Durham Region to form a Race Relations Committee, the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity has worked closely over the years with many different groups and organizations, particularly youth, to promote racial and ethnic harmony - a key objective detailed in its Race Relations Policy. The City of Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations and Equity is also charged with the responsibility of giving guidance to and advising the municipality, through the Mayor and the Council of the Corporation of the City of Pickering, on matters involving race relations and equity issues within the community.
The Pickering Advisory Commitee on Race Relations & Equity is pleased to partner with the Durham District School Board and the Durham Catholic District School Board to present a creative arts contest for students across Durham Region entitled “In Your Words & Expressions”. Read more about this contest here.
It was also my pleasure to attend "Canadian Tapestry: Weaving the World Together" in June 2004 at the Pickering Museum Village hosted by the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity and the Pickering Museum Village Advisory Committee. This event was a celebration of the cultures that make up this community - from the 1800's until today. Once again, various community cultural associations shared their traditions with event visitors by showcasing traditional food, song, dance and stories.
Once again, this time as the Chair of the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity, I was pleased to attend the Heritage Day Celebration event in February 2005. The event was held at the Pickering Town Centre and hosted by the Pickering Advisory Committee on Race Relations & Equity. This dynamic event celebrated Pickering's rich heritage and cultural diversity. The event showcased community cultural associations and local school students from all walks of life and of all ages - sharing their culture through song, dance and interactive displays.
For more than 25 years the Pickering Caribbean-Canadian Cultural Association (PCCCA) has been fostering good inter-community relationships, promoting affordable housing, fighting racism and discrimination through education, addressing employment issues and inequities, fostering a sense of pride among youth, gaining a better understanding of the political, educational and judicial systems and developing a sense of fulfillment through social and cultural activities. PCCCA draws members primarily from Pickering and Durham and though their members are predominantly of Caribbean background, membership is open to everyone. They are a very sociable group as is evidenced by their many activities such as games nights, bus trips, pot lucks, bowling, family picnics, dances, Caribbean night, and adult and children's Christmas parties. PCCCA also sponsors indoor/outdoor soccer, sponsors a foster child and provides bursaries to post secondary students. Congratulations to the PCCCA on 25 years in the community!
Durham Regional municipalities, The Durham Community Tsunami Relief Event
© 2002-2010 - All Rights Reserved.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
