Newmarket releases draft anti-Black racism plan, seeks input

Survey open until Nov. 7

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 30, 2022
Joseph Quigley

Newmarket’s anti-Black racism consultant has proposed training for all town officials and an external committee to keep the municipality on track.

EMPOWER Strategy Group has released a draft action plan to implement more than 100 recommendations to address anti-Black racism in town. The municipality is asking for feedback on the plan by Nov. 7 before it becomes finalized.

Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said he wants the town to be a place where everyone is welcome.

“The work that the town is doing to dismantle anti-Black racism is about making Newmarket more equitable and inclusive,” Taylor said. “We recognize that there is still a lot of work to do to dismantle anti-Black racism.”

The plan sets out how the municipality can address the 117 recommendations made by its anti-Black racism task force in a final report last year. The plan lays out that both elected officials and staff should receive anti-Black racism training. It also proposes a dismantling anti-Black racism advisory committee to guide municipal efforts on the subject and hold the town accountable. It proposes that seven to 11 members of the town’s Black community serve on the committee.

“A theme that arose time and again in the focus group and town halls is the need for accountability, specifically who or which body will be responsible for ensuring that there is some accountability to the diverse Black People of African Descent communities,” the report said.

The report also suggests the town work with its partners as they make their own efforts to fight anti-Black racism, such as the police, local health care, emergency services and school boards.

“Through ongoing discourse and the sharing of successes and best practices, the Town of Newmarket will be well positioned to play a leadership role in implementing strategies to dismantle anti-Black racism,” the plan said.

The plan is also looking for community and stakeholder input throughout the years to come.

You can provide input into the draft plan by filling out a survey at heynewmarket.ca/dabr. The survey will run until Nov. 7, with participants entered in a draw to win gift certificates from local Black-owned businesses.

“We are committed to continuing to work with NACCA (the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association), our partner and the community to take real action and achieve tangible results,” Taylor said.