Anti-Racism Task Force

Type
Task Force

On June 29, 2020, Barrie City Council approved a motion, sponsored by the Barrie Police Service, to establish an Anti-Racism Task Force.

A group of volunteers have been chosen to work actively with police services, school boards, community groups, municipal organizations, social services, business, labour and government agencies in order to facilitate a stronger understanding of the needs of the City's racialized populations.

More than 30 applications were received from a variety of personal and professional backgrounds and experiences. An independent panel of individuals, who are actively engaged in cultural and anti-racism efforts from outside of our community, met to review the applications and determine the final composition of the task force. The individuals chosen by this panel are active in the community and eager to contribute to these efforts.

Visit the task force's website, BarrieAntiRacism.ca, to pledge your support, access education & resources, and learn more about the group's work.

The Anti-Racism Task Force is not an official Committee of Council. As such, the agenda and minutes are not included on the City’s Legislative Information Portal

Mandate

To promote the facilitation of a stronger understanding of the needs of the city’s racialized populations and guide anti-racism actions and activities in Barrie.

Commitment

We will help transition Barrie into an anti-racist city that intentionally addresses racism in all its forms. We will develop and act on short- and long-term initiatives that progressively move us forward. We acknowledge that this is just the beginning of our journey. We will add more  specific measurable goals as we listen and learn.

The Barrie Anti-Racism Task Force will work with a seriousness to make substantive and  transformative change but remains acutely aware that racism is not a momentary issue. It is a systemic issue that demands sustained attention.

Anti-Racism Task Force Members

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Headshots of Anti-Racism Task Force members
Left to right: Cheryl Blondell-King (Co-Chair), Esther Nkoli Enyolu (Co-Chair), Aria Kamal, Denise Baldwin, Haily MacDonald, Marcel Atunwa, Masa Sone, Nithin Liviero, Samuel Njeng