The City of Pembroke will not continue with a Diversity Advisory Committee this term of council. As part of the first council meeting of the year on Tuesday night (January 3rd, 2023), council voted 4-2 in favour of disbanding the committee. Local residents, groups such as Pflag Renfrew County, former committee members and even elected representatives have all voiced concerns about Pembroke not continuing with the diversity committee. The motion to cancel the committee was put forward by Pembroke Mayor Ron Gervais. Gervais says the advisory committee is not required, but the Mayor encourages residents to bring issues and concerns to council.
While discussing the the Diversity Advisory Committee, Councillor Ian Kuehl commented on the lack of diversity at Pembroke City Council.
Councillor Ed Jacyno told members of council he is not a stranger to racism adding his parents served four years in a slave labour camp before coming to Canada. Jacyno says he was bullied for being an immigrant and talked about moving on from the past.
Jacyno says if people don’t hear there’s racism and the situation is addressed we will move forward.
Kuehl was shocked at the comments made by Jacyno.
A joint statement issued by former Pembroke Diversity Advisory Committee members, Pflag Renfrew County, Pembroke Pride, Ottawa Valley Against Racial Discrimination and Mashkiwizii Manido Foundation says to expect victims of discrimination and violence to “get over it” and trust that things will work themselves out over time is callous and to remain silent in the face of racism, homophobia, transphobia and misogyny in our community is irresponsible and dangerous. The statement goes on to say that work to help make Pembroke a safe place for all has suffered a major setback, but together we can continue the push for progress so that one day Pembroke will truly be “the heart of the Valley” for everyone.
Councillor Patricia Lafreniere says the committee did a lot of good work, but ultimately voted to cancel it. Lafreniere is not sure why the City is getting bad publicity over cancelling the committee.
Lafreniere says the committee should continue to meet adding the City does not have the staff and resources to support them.
Councillor Troy Purcell says if the issue is resources, the City of Pembroke should amend their by-laws to support the committee and recognize the work they are doing.
Purcell says cancelling the diversity committee is an embarrassing moment for the City of Pembroke as they try to create a welcoming community.
Council voted 4-2 in favour of not continuing with the Diversity Advisory Committee. Ron Gervais, Patricia Lafreniere, Ed Jacyno and Andrew Plummer voted to cancel the committee while Ian Kuehl and Troy Purcell were the only two in favour of keeping it. Deputy Mayor Brian Abdallah was not present for the vote and council did not support a motion to revisit the topic when all councillors were in attendance.
You can watch the council meeting online here (discussions surrounding the Diversity Advisory Committee starts at 2:30:15).
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)
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