Scrapping diversity committee part of restructuring, says Pembroke Mayor
Posted Jan 7, 2023 09:00:00 PM.
By cancelling the city's Diversity Advisory Committee, Pembroke Mayor Ron Gervais said the city isn't walking away from the issue.
As one his first orders of business, newly-elected Mayor Gervais eliminated the city's diversity advisory committee, a committee he sat on as deputy mayor since it was first formed.
Established in 2020, the diversity committee was formed after a racially motivated crime was carried out towards an elderly community member.
Acknowledging that the committee had accomplished a lot in its two years, Gervais said on The Sam Laprade Show the decision was part of larger restructuring that saw the elimination of several other committees and the amalgamating of others to, in large part, save resources and reduce “costs associated with those different committees.”
“It wasn't to take away from anything,” said Gervais. “People can still either contact myself and members of council … We take recommendations and different advice.”
One accomplishment of the committee was to recommend council obtain a consultant's report regarding diversity best practices, a report currently being reviewed by the city. That report, Gervais believes, will provide a number of recommendations likely including increased education for staff and councillors.
Gervais believes the city is now in a position to take action on a number of items, but isn't closing the door on further consultation with the public.
“What I'm suggesting is that if required in the future, you could have an ad hoc committee,” said Gervais. “At times we may need to call upon member of the public and we can form an ad hoc committee assembled to address a particular question.”
He also states the change in committees doesn't doesn't stop anyone from forming a larger organization to address different issues and addressing the city.
Though not unanimous, Pembroke municipal council supported the Mayor's decision to scrap the committee as part of the reorganization.
Listen to the entire interview with Mayor Ron Gervais on The Sam Laprade show below.
