Following council’s closed session on Tuesday, Councillor Mac Bain was appointed as council’s representative on the Equity and Inclusion Committee.
The committee is a community group that began as a book club, where they read “…But I’m NOT Racist! Tools for Well-Meaning Whites” by Kathy Obear.
During a presentation to city council late in September, member Gemma Victor outlined how the book got the group discussing their experiences with racism in the community.
Victor’s presentation was on behalf of the Equity and Inclusion Committee, which requested council to become involved while also asking that 2021 be declared as the year of equality and inclusion in the area.
Councillor Bain says that he’s happy to be involved in the committee because three of his grandchildren are Black.
“I want to make sure that North Bay can be a place for them to grow, live and flourish,” Bain said on his appointment to the committee.
Bain doesn’t yet know what his responsibilities on the committee will be but is looking forward to the conversations that will take place.
“I’m willing to learn to see what I can do better as an individual and I’m willing to work with the committee and the community to see if we can do better all together,” he noted.
Bain points out that between Canadore College, Nipissing University and immigration to the area, North Bay is becoming more diverse.
During the discussion of Bain’s appointment, Councillor Tanya Vrebosch outlined the committee’s hopeful role in the community.
“I think what this is doing is showing the importance of inclusion, the importance of this committee and how we want to support change in the community,” she said.
Along with the appointment of a council member to the committee, the city will also be joining the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities. North Bay will be the 83rd municipality to join the coalition in Canada.
