The town is currently looking for members for its new Anti-Racism Advisory Committee.
The Mayor's Anti-Racism Advisory Panel has been developing a plan to address inequity and discrimination within the community, bringing along a broad range of expertise and knowledge to council's anti-racism resolution, the Diversity and Inclusiveness Action Plan and local programming.
Members of the panel include Coun. Raj Sandhu and local community leaders and representatives from groups such as the BWG Diversity Action Group, Impact Youth & Cultural Centre, Bradford Women's+ Group, and UPlift Black.
To help with the implementation of the plan, town council is looking to establish an Anti-Racism Advisory Committee.
The committee would represent the local Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour communities and advise council on developing, implementing, and monitoring town policies, programs, and initiatives.
"When we met with the panel...the general feeling was that it would be a bit more official they would have a bit more of a standing and help oversee the actual plan... that would be worked on by the town," said Mayor Rob Keffer in Tuesday night's meeting of town council.
The mayor is confident there will be a good response with many eligible candidates.
Coun. Sandhu thanked the mayor and CAO Geoff McKnight and the panel for bringing the plan forward.
"Lots of work went into it, at times it seemed it was slow, but it wasn't because...everyone wanted to do it right and proper," he said.
He said he wanted the focus to still stay on anti-Black racism, noting other towns like Aurora refer to their committees as 'Anti-Black Racism'.
"I am not saying to change the name, but we can't take away what caused this and the events that led to starting this group," said Sandhu, referring to the killing of George Floyd in May 2020. "The Black community of this town and others need to feel that this is their home and every resident will be heard....their skin colour will not hold them back."
Council supported the report and staff will now commence the recruitment process for committee membership.
To view the full report, click here.
