City officials recommend volunteer anti-racism advisory committee

The city is one step closer to forming an anti-racism advisory committee after more than three years of appeals from unwavering community groups.

A draft bylaw is proposing a volunteer committee of up to 13 members to provide city council with advice and community perspective on issues related to racism as well as funding to these same community groups for anti-racism work.

This step forward didn’t come without setbacks. The proposed bylaw comes in response to council’s second request for recommendations to form an anti-racism advisory board, similar to that of Women’s Advocacy Voice of Edmonton (WAVE), which provides the city with advice on gender-based issues.

In response to an initial request in March 2018, city officials instead recommended a two-day symposium with concerns that a committee might duplicate the active role of community organizations or groups at other government levels. The province developed a 24-member advisory council this February.

So a report released Thursday recommending a $300,000 annually funded committee was a welcome sight to community advocates.

It’s a long-awaited step in the right direction for Irfan Chaudhry, Macewan University’s director of human rights, diversity and equity.

“I think it’s a really good starting point. But there will be the challenges with any type of committee like this. What’s the scope of their work and how much will they meaningfully be able to influence and impact city initiatives?” Chaudhry questioned.

He hopes the committee will provide a central space to share initiatives and identify issues where city policy or programs may inadvertently be putting up racialized barriers.

The shisha ban currently making its way through council is a specific example that comes to mind for Chaudhry.

“It impacts a large number of racialized community members who might exercise that (socially),” he said, noting the proposed sweeping ban will be impacting these groups in a way council might not intend.

Chaudhry has praise for council on continuing to push for the advisory board even without initial support.

“I think that shows bravery for sure on the voice of council,” he said. “When you have enough councillors who are willing to at least try something, even if it’s something not recommended, it doesn’t hurt.”

Mike Chow, the city’s director of multicultural relations, said the $300,000 annual price tag will mostly go toward the grant program to support community projects.

“This will aim to amplify the great work that often happens in communities and at the grassroots level to combat discrimination and racism that goes unnoticed and unrecognized,” Chow said in an email to Postmedia.

Members will be appointed by city councillors and serve up to twoyear terms for a maximum of six consecutive years. The bylaw will go before council’s community and public services committee Aug. 21.