Mayor Gervais discusses Pembroke committees and future measures on diversity and climate action
The City of Pembroke has a number of committees and boards that serve the community and help advise and inform council on matters that affect the public. These committees offer local citizens an opportunity to become involved in the democratic process and to represent their community in an advisory role to City Council. I am proud and thankful of the efforts and contributions of every person who has put themselves forward to sit on an advisory committee or board.
Pembroke strives to be a warm and welcoming community. The continued growth of the Multicultural Festival held for the past seven years hosted by the Pembroke Public Library in partnership with the City of Pembroke in addition to the creation of similar events and activities shows our community's continued support for inclusive initiatives.
The Diversity Advisory Committee and its terms of reference were created by the City’s previous mayor to advise council on issues as it related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the City of Pembroke. Once formed, the Diversity Advisory Committee conducted a community survey, hosted a town hall, and made various recommendations to council. These recommendations included the creation of an Indigenous heritage mural, the inclusion of resources on diversity, equity and inclusion on the City’s website, the standardization of a municipal land acknowledgment, and the retention of a consultant to develop a diversity, equity, and inclusion action plan.
The foregoing recommendations from the Diversity Advisory Committee have been received by council and council continues to take steps based upon those recommendations. The Action Plan was received by council and is now being reviewed by staff with a report to be forthcoming in the future on how to progress the file.
With the commencement of the new council, I, as Mayor of the City of Pembroke exercised my prerogative to implement the slate of committees for the new term. This list of committees includes some committees that have existed previously as well as some modified committees. Some previously instituted committees were not included for the new term of council. These committees include not only the Diversity Advisory Committee, but also include the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Seniors’ Advisory Committee. Comprehensive master plans are set to be completed in the near future which will present significant opportunities for public comment on recreation and seniors’ issues.
I recognize and acknowledge the City of Pembroke has work to do moving forward. The City will fund and develop an Indigenous Mural. City Staff and Council will review the Diversity Action Plan with an eye towards implementation. City staff have inserted funds into the draft 2023 budget for consideration by City Council during the 2023 budget deliberations to achieve implementation. The City has already commenced training for senior staff focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as Indigenous rights and reconciliation.
I personally thank the Diversity Advisory Committee for their assistance and contribution to making the City of Pembroke a more welcoming community. The City can now work on the path forward with the tools provided from the recommendations of the committee. I will personally ensure that the City remains cognisant of diversity, equity, and inclusion as we move forward and will personally continue to be involved in the Multicultural Festival.
While the Diversity Advisory Committee will not continue, the public is always welcome to bring forward ideas on how Council can support the community’s continued journey towards increased diversity and inclusiveness.
In respect to the Climate Action Advisory Committee, this committee and its terms of reference were also created by the previous mayor. Once formed, the Climate Action Advisory Committee worked diligently to assist the City of Pembroke on the portfolio of climate matters. This advisory committee made a number of recommendations to council. Council enrolled in the Partners for Climate Protection Program as delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. The City has budgeted funds to complete Milestone 1 of 5 to be completed this year. The City will be looking to budget additional funds in the 2023 budget year to continue with this process. The work on climate action is ongoing. It is noteworthy that the City had many climate-related initiatives in place at the time of inception of this advisory committee and continues with further initiatives related to climate action and the effects of climate change. This committee has been reworked to be included in a related committee known as Keeping Pembroke Beautiful which has related functions and complement one another. The City recently applied for further funding opportunities with projects that provide for beautification as well as climate action, specifically related to drainage. I personally thank all members of the prior Climate Action Advisory Committee for their hard work and dedication.
As City Council moves forward, I encourage citizens of Pembroke to apply to the committees that have been advertised with a closing date of December 16th, 2022. Together we can all work to ensure Pembroke remains a warm, inviting community for everyone.
Mayor Ron Gervais