1. Action Plan for Addressing Racism and Discrimination in the Town of New Glasgow September 27 th, 2013

2. Background In January of 2010 the Town of New Glasgow formally approved a Declaration to join the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities against Racism - part of a larger United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) initiative The Town of New Glasgow’s Community & Economic Development Plan identifies our goal to Develop a plan of cultural activities and events that is supportive and inclusive of minority groups.

3. In adopting the UNESCO Declaration, the Town of New Glasgow agreed to address the following Canadian Coalition commitments: 1. Increase vigilance against systemic and individual racism and discrimination; i.e. Local schools – anti-bullying 2. Monitor racism and discrimination in the community more broadly as well as municipal actions taken to address racism and discrimination; i.e. Proclamations signed – MORE, Pride Week, Nelson Mandela Day, African Heritage Month 3. Inform and support individuals who experience racism and discrimination; Council & Staff – help link individuals to resources 4. Involve citizens by giving them a voice in anti-racism initiatives and decision- making; Council welcomes new initiatives 5. Support measures to promote equity in the labour market; This priority will be addressed by the Advisory Committee 6. Provide equal opportunities as a municipal employer, service provider and contractor; The Town of New Glasgow is an Equal Opportunity Employer

4. 7. Support measures to challenge racism and discrimination and promote diversity and equal opportunity housing; This priority will be addressed by the Advisory Committee 8. Support measures to challenge racism and discrimination and promote diversity and equal opportunity in the education sector and other forms of learning; Partner with School Board & NSCC 9. Promote respect, understanding, and appreciation of cultural diversity and inclusion of Aboriginal and racialized communities into the cultural fabric of the municipality; Advisory Committee will invite an Aboriginal member to serve on the committee 10. Support policing services in their efforts to be exemplary institutions in combating racism and discrimination. The Advisory Committee will work with the New Glasgow Regional Police Service on initiatives

5. The Race Relations and Anti-Discrimination Committee One of the Town’s first commitments was to identify and form a Race Relations and Anti-Discrimination Committee (RRADC) and develop a Terms of Reference to guide its work. The RRADC is composed of two municipal Councillors, one or two municipal staff member(s), and two to three residents of the Town of New Glasgow. All members will be appointed annually by the Council of the Town of New Glasgow.

6. Current RRADC members are: Councillor Henderson Paris (Chair) Councillor Clyde Fraser Geralyn MacDonald – Municipal Staff Member Cheryl Young – Municipal Staff Member Wendy Hughes – Citizen Member & Co-ordinator of the Pictou Host Program at the Pictou County YMCA. Deanna Mohamed-Citizen Member & NSCC Coordinator of African Canadian Student Services Youth representative to be named

7. Committee Vision We envision the Town of New Glasgow as a recognized leader in establishing and implementing policies, programs and practices to address racism, discrimination and exclusion. Committee Mission To determine where and how racism, discrimination and exclusion are manifest in the Town of New Glasgow. To recommend policies, programs and practices designed to address racism, discrimination and exclusion, to monitor the effects of recommendations and to report on changes.

8. This presentation was reviewed by Meghan Brooks, Programme Officer, UNESCO Canadian Coalition and she has provided the following quote on this action plan:

9. Logo Contest Calling All Students! The Town of New Glasgow is looking for a logo design for the Action Plan. Schools in New Glasgow will receive rules on entering the contest and criteria for the design of the logo. We have copies today of the 10 Commitments to the Plan and more details on the logo contest.

10. The Town of New Glasgow would like to thank the Municipality of the County of Kings for allowing us to adapt their framework for an Action Plan for New Glasgow. Thank You!