All Welcome Here

BIPOC-led group seek clear path forward from council

Judith Burfoot, founder of the Prince Edward County organization All Welcome Here (AWH), began her deputation to council last Tuesday night by saying, according to the last Statistics Canada Census conducted in 2016, five per cent of the County’s population identifies as black, Indigenous and people of colour, or BIPOC. “We suspect that number will be higher with the latest census,” said Burfoot. All Welcome Here is a BIPOC-led, incorporated non-profit organization, focusing on the success of BIPOC residents in the local community— both in business and socially—and on anti-racist actions and education.

Burfoot’s presentation to council outlined achievements in the past year, noting how most activities had moved online, as well as the group’s plans for this year, including completing their charitable registration and establishing office space in Picton. A number of recommendations were outlined on a path forward for the municipality to combat racism and promote diversity in Prince Edward County, to include anti-racism education, establishing a complaint mechanism, training for council and staff, finding a way to promote diversity and equity within the municipality, as well as identifying and removing barriers allowing for greater diversity on council. It was also suggested the municipality join the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities, a coalition established by the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, noting Kingston and Belleville were both members. Burfoot noted this was a critical moment as a community. “We can choose how we want to develop and who we want to be,” she said, noting how the BIPOC community is growing. “Regrettably, so are reports of racist incidents, with BIPOC reporting feeling fearful of racism here, and even with identifying their businesses as BIPOC-owned.”

The purpose of the deputation was in large part to seek council’s leadership in issuing a clear statement on anti-racism, with suggested action steps. “First, a formal statement provides you a unique opportunity before a crisis hits,” explained Burfoot. “When I say crisis, I am talking about the increasing reports of racist incidents and needing that support from your leadership. You are able to define who we are, and what kind of community we want to be, and to do it in a way that offers yourselves and future councils some guidance in the actions that they take as well.“ She suggested the statement include how Prince Edward County is an inclusive and welcoming place for all. The statement continued, “We are consciously antiracist and work to dismantle, address and remedy race-based discrimination, in partnership with other forms of discrimination.”

Burfoot said such a statement alone was not enough and must be coupled with specific actions and leadership. She said it was critical for council to develop municipal policy as a guidance tool, adding while it was good to hear plans for frontline staff training on cultural sensitivity among others, it was not adequate. “The training must start at the top with council and the executive team and include all staff, and it must also include considering the County as a workplace and the internal discrimination that happens there,” she said. Burfoot also recommended a complaint mechanism be developed. “The County cannot address problems that they are unaware of,” she said.

Concerns were also raised on the importance of having diversified council representation. “That’s not just around race; that is around gender, gender orientation or sexual orientation, age, disability, etc.” She also noted one of the biggest barriers to diversifying council is the rate of pay. “It is a full-time job, and for those of us who are from more marginal communities, cannot really afford to do a job without being able to pay our mortgages,” she said. “I recognize that is not everyone’s situation, but it is a systematic barrier that should be addressed.” She noted the County has a reputation for being an ‘old boys club’. “I don’t know what gestures council makes to overcome that; your reality is that there are two women on council out of 14 people. That is clearly not gender parity, and my understanding is that you have no openly LGBTQ+ members on your council.” She said AWH were looking to bring different kinds of voices to council, not just BIPOC, but women and younger people too. “The more different kind of perspectives that we have sitting around that horseshoe, the more ideas you’ll have and the stronger you’ll be, and that’s not just an age thing.” Burfoot also said she felt the demands on council were growing. “From my perspective, I don’t see them slowing down; it is not going to become less of a job.”

Working on building education modules, AWH have been approached by a number of organizations interested in sensitivity training. Plans are also in the works to start a BIPOC agricultural group and a BIPOC youth group. “You may have heard of some of the horrific experiences our BIPOC youth have had in our school system and we want to support a youth-led group to support these BIPOC youth and to provide anti-racist education to their peers,” explained Burfoot. She went on to say BIPOC young people face the same kind of systemic barriers as older BIPOC do regarding employment, housing, safety, and so on. “We need to support them in gaining equitable access to our community.”

Councillor Kate MacNaughton proposed an Amendment that included a clause that council direct staff to prepare a report to include meaningful steps the municipality can undertake to create policies and procedures that promote and embody anti-racism and pro-diversity education and actions throughout the County of Prince Edward. All Welcome Here will be hosting an outdoor POCnic on May 1 to showcase local BIPOC businesses and artists, and a Black Lives Matter County-wide demonstration is planned for June. A BIPOC resident survey will be launched next month for the purpose of gathering demographic information and to learn of the challenges faced. The All Welcome Here deputation can be viewed at the County’s YouTube channel. All Welcome Here can be reached via social media and at allwelcomehere. ca