Newmarket residents can win prizes by completing survey on anti-Black racism draft strategy

'I want Newmarket to be a place where everyone is welcome': Mayor John Taylor

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 12, 2022
Lisa Queen

You can help the town move forward with its anti-Black racism strategy by completing a survey by Nov. 7.

The town hired EMPOWER Strategy Group to consult with community partners, including the Newmarket African Caribbean Canadian Association (NACCA), resulting in a draft action plan.

Residents can give feedback on the plan and enter a draw to win gift certificates from local Black-owned businesses by completing the survey at heynewmarket.ca/dabr.

“I want Newmarket to be a place where everyone is welcome and where everyone’s contributions are valued,” Mayor John Taylor said.

“The work that the town is doing to dismantle anti-Black racism is about making Newmarket more equitable and inclusive. We recognize that there is still a lot of work to do to dismantle anti-Black racism. We are committed to continuing to work with NACCA, our partners and the community to take real action and achieve tangible results.”

'If we say that Newmarket is a town well beyond the ordinary, we have to demonstrate that it is'

Community engagement will continue, which will result in a future report to council.

The town will conduct an annual review to monitor progress.

The action plan stems from the report by the town’s Dismantling Anti-Black Racism Task Force, which works to amplify voices from the Black community and makes recommendations to council about racial equity opportunities and on issues impacting the Black community.