The meeting times and location, listed above, are subject to change. If necessary, some meetings may be hosted virtually.
Overview:
The African Descent Advisory Committee advises Regional Council, through Executive Standing Committee, on the impact of municipal policies, programs, and services for People of African Descent.
Objectives:
The advice provided by the Committee shall be guided by the following objectives:
- the full participation of all People of African Descent in civic and community affairs by ensuring that policies, programs, and services do not impose barriers to such participation;
- increased civic and community awareness regarding People of African Descent within the Municipality by promoting effective communication;
- the elimination of barriers facing People of African Descent; and
- the provision of equitable opportunities for the Municipality’s People of African Descent to voice their views by monitoring the effectiveness of the Municipality’s policies, programs, and services and their impacts on People of African Descent.
Duties of the Committee:
The Committee shall advise Council, through the Executive Standing Committee, on matters related to People of African Descent as follows:
- advise on strategies for implementing the principles of the International Decade for People of African Descent under the pillars of:
- Recognition: ongoing efforts to recognize and celebrate the unique history, and contributions of People of African Descent across the Municipality;
- Development: commitment to positive outcomes for People of African Descent in all areas of municipal service delivery;
- Justice: promoting equitable and bias free outcomes for People of African Descent on issues relating to municipal service delivery.
- receive and review municipal policies, priorities, and decisions using a critical race lens, for items directed to the Committee by Council or a Standing Committee of Council, or on its own initiative with direction from the Executive Standing Committee, and to make recommendations;
- advise on mechanisms to engage and empower People of African Descent to fully participate in the political process at the municipal level;
- provide information and resources about People of African Descent issues to Council, including the use of racial equity lens;
- advise on emerging issues and trends of significance to People of African Descent communities as they relate to municipal services and programs;
- advise on the interests and needs of historic African Nova Scotian communities with respect to municipal programs and service delivery; and
- advise and make recommendations about strategies designed to achieve the objectives of the Committee.
Membership - Fifteen (15) members appointed as follows:
- two (2) members of Council, at least one of whom shall be a member of the Executive Standing Committee;
- seven (7) People of African Descent, representing a minimum of five (5) of the seven (7) historic African Nova Scotian Communities in the Halifax Regional Municipality;
- one (1) representative of African Descent from Halifax;
- one (1) representative of African Descent from Dartmouth;
- two (2) youth representatives of African Descent (ages 15-24); and
- two (2) recent immigrants of African Descent.
The Committee shall include members from the following historic communities:
- Descendants of Africville
- North Preston
- East Preston
- Lake Loon/Cherry Brook
- Beechville
- Upper Hammonds Plains
- Lucasville/Sackville (Cobequid Road and Maroon Hill)
Position(s) available:
• One (1) membership position for a representative who is a recent immigrant of African Descent
• One (1) membership position for a representative of African Descent from Dartmouth
• One (1) membership position for a representative from the historic African Nova Scotian Community of East Preston
• One (1) membership position for a representative who is a descendant of the historic African Nova Scotian Community of Africville
Length of Term:
- Two (2) years. The term of these positions will begin on May 30, 2025.