The first meeting of the Anti-Racism Advisory Council took place on February 22, 2019, at the Federal Building in Edmonton. Education Minister David Eggen introduced 24 members from across Alberta, of the over 300 applicants as Alberta’s first Anti-Racism Advisory Council.
The council is responsible for the Alberta Government’s anti-racism initiative and will advise the government as it develop strategies to end racism and discrimination. This interdepartmental Council, the first of its kind in Alberta, will advise on everything from racism, Alberta Human Rights Commission, education, recognition of foreign credentials, and more.
Charity Begins at Home for Racism and Discrimination Efforts in the Alberta Government with the Worst Inclusion Record…
Following introduction of the 24 members, Minister Eggen and the council’s two co-chairs, Heather Campbell and Lucenia Ortiz, took some questions from the media. Minister Eggen stressed that the Council will also look inwards into inclusion in the Albertan Government, one of the largest employer in Alberta with a horrible inclusion record with less than 5% of its middle and senior management from the visible minority half of Alberta. Visible minorities make up 1 in every 5 Albertan, horribly reflected in the middle and senior management of the Alberta Government.
The minister also addressed the potential resistance from coming across as lecturing people how they should behave,”…we are creating space to talk about these things in a non-confrontational way…it’s important not to be lecturing. It’s important to be reaching out and creating safe space to talk about what it takes to fight racism…,” Minister Eggen.
Passionate and Determined Council Members
This Anti-Racism Council can only advise the government and not make decisions. That brings to mind the possibility of what happens if the Council’s advise is not taken into consideration. Shan Ali from Calgary, and Yic Camara, the only francophone on the Council, were optimistic that their advise will be considered due to the efforts, cost, and resources invested into the project so far. They were definite that if their advise is not taken into consideration they will not pack their bags and go home, but will find other creative ways to get their points across.