Council

That the following minutes of previous Council meetings be adopted: • Regular Meeting of January 24, 2022; • Special Meeting of February 7, 2022; and • Closed Session Meeting of February 7, 2022

WHEREAS in 2019 the Province of Quebec enacted Bill 21 (an act respecting the laicity of the state) which prohibits public servants from wearing religious symbols in the exercise of their public service functions, including turbans, hijabs, yarmulke, the cross, and many others; AND WHEREAS the Town of Ajax has a racialized majority of 56% and strives to create more positive spaces, policies and programming to help celebrate diversity, inclusion and equality regardless of a person’s race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, disability, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, religion, literacy, language and/or socioeconomic status, etc.; AND WHEREAS Bill 21 is a divisive law that perpetuates exclusion, discrimination, and class division by increasing systematic barriers to employment; AND WHEREAS the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) presented the following recommendations for municipalities at the 2021 National Summit on Islamophobia: Town of Ajax Council Meeting – February 28, 2022 1. Pass municipal street harassment bylaws that are proportional and constitutional, such as the approach now being adopted in Edmonton after an NCCM initiative. Bylaws should also address clearly hateful verbal assaults and give authorities the ability to ticket and fine when necessary. 2. Municipalities provide dedicated funding for local community-based anti-Islamophobia initiatives. 3. Mayors should build Anti-Islamophobia Advi

That the balance of the report (Items 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 6.5, 6.7, 6.9, 6.10, 6.11, 6.12, 6.13, 6.14, 6.15 and 6.16) dated February 28, 2022 containing Items of Correspondence be received for information.

That Item 6.3 (City of Oshawa – Request for Funding to Assist Businesses Affected by the Pandemic) of the Correspondence Report be endorsed.

That Item 6.6 (Township of Scugog – iGaming Model) of the Correspondence Report be endorsed.

That Item 6.8 (Durham District School Board and Durham Catholic School Board – Provincial Funding to Municipalities to Widen Dead-End Roads in Durham Region for the Safe Operation of School Buses) of the Correspondence Report be received for information.

That the Community Affairs & Planning Committee Report dated February 7, 2022, be adopted.

That the 2022 Operating Budget be amended by adding $15,000 for the procurement and installation of anti-litter educational signage at Super Community Mailbox locations in Ajax. MOTION

That the General Government Committee 2022 Operating Budget Report dated February 14, 2022, be adopted.

That the General Government Committee Report dated February 22, 2022, be adopted.

That the Summary of Advisory Committee Activities Report dated February 28, 2022, as attached to the meeting agenda be received for information, and that the recommendations contained therein be

That the report on Excluded Non-Cash Expenses, as required by Ontario Regulation 284/09, be received for information.

That the report entitled “Fee Waiver for Residential School Survivors applying for Name Change” be received for information.

That Eesha Chaudhry of Ajax be appointed to the Ajax Public Library Board for the remainder of the 2018-2022 Council term, or until a successor is appointed effective March 2, 2022.

That the Regional Councillors’ Reports of February 28, 2022 be received for information.

WHEREAS on January 17, 2022 the Town of Ajax and Greater Toronto Area experienced the largest snowfall in a decade, resulting in the Town declaring a significant weather event under Ontario Regulation 239/02; AND WHEREAS the snowfall resulted in significant logistical challenges, and both residents and commuters expressed their feedback and concerns regarding snow clearing Town of Ajax Council Meeting – February 28, 2022 measures; AND WHEREAS clearing crews gave incredible effort to address the needs of the community; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1. Operations & Environmental Services staff be directed to provide a post-operational update at the March 28, 2022 Council meeting on the Town’s overall response to the January 17, 2022 snow event, including: a. service levels; b. customer service support and communications; c. challenges identified; and d. lessons learned.

WHEREAS the use of hate symbols is on the rise in Canada, most recently seen at the convoy protests in downtown Ottawa. These overt displays of hate, violence, and intimidation destabilize the inclusive fabric of our community and have no place in our country; AND WHEREAS the Town of Ajax recognizes the discrimination and systemic hatred, violence, and injustices experienced by underrepresented communities who are targeted because of their identity (e.g. racialized, persons of colour, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, unidentifiable/identifiable disabilities, etc.); AND WHEREAS Section 319 of the Criminal Code makes it an offence to publicly incite or willfully promote hatred, and private member’s Bill C-229 would amend Section 319 to address growing violence and hatred within Canadian communities by banning symbols, emblems, flags and uniforms used to promote or incite hatred and violence, such as the Nazi swastika and the Ku Klux Klan’s insignia; AND WHEREAS Bill C-229 is an opportunity to make all Canadians feel safer in the communities that they live; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1. Ajax Council endorses Bill C-229, an Act to Amend the Criminal Code (banning symbols of hate); and 2. A copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, the Honourable Mark Holland, MP for Ajax, Federal Leaders of the Opposition, Peter Julian, MP for New Westminster – Burnaby and C-229 bill sponsor, the Ajax Provincial Co

That By-law numbers 07-2022 to 13-2022 be read a first, second and third time and passed.

That By-law number 14-2022 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Ajax at its meeting held on February 28, 2022 be read a first, second and third time and passed.

That the February 28, 2022 meeting of the Council of the Town of Ajax be adjourned (8:54 p.m.)