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Members of key York Region committees give boost to newcomers, accessibility issues

The York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Community Partnership Council begin 2019 to 2022 term
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NEWS RELEASES
REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF YORK
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York Regional Council on Feb. 28 approved the appointment of 15 members to the 2019 to 2022 term of the York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee (YRAAC).

“York Region is committed to welcoming and inclusive communities,” York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson said. “Since its establishment in 2003, the York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee has been vital in helping create communities where everyone can participate fully.”

The competitive recruitment process for the 2019 to 2022 YRAAC, which advises Council and York Regional Police on the implementation of accessibility standards across regional programs and services, included applications from residents and community members who live with a disability or who are part of a York Region organization that serves people with disabilities.

The following individuals were appointed for the 2019 to 2022 term:

York Region Chairman and CEO
Wayne Emmerson (Ex-officio)
Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor
Don Hamilton (Chair), City of Markham
Regional Councillor Carmine Perrelli
Town of Richmond Hill
Regional Councillor Tom Vegh
Town of Newmarket
Cheryl Davies
Astley Dennis

Laurie Fortnum
Lindsey Gold
Kirsten Hill
David Hingsburger
Barry Martin
Sandy Palombo
Joann Simmons
Vito Spatafora
Angelo Tocco
Scott Wollin

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) requires municipalities with a population over 10,000 to establish an accessibility advisory committee to advise on the implementation of accessibility standards and preparation of accessibility reports. Information on York Region’s accessibility plans and YRAAC meetings is available at york.ca/accessibility

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to 1.2 million residents and 51,000 businesses with 620,000 employees.

More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/regionalservices

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York Regional Council has approved the appointment of 25 members to the 2019 to 2022 term of the Community Partnership Council (CPC).

The CPC is a collaborative group of community services, government and public organizations that work to implement the strategic actions of the 2017 to 2021 York Region Newcomer Strategy and support the integration of newcomers living in York Region.

“Since 2010, York Region has worked collaboratively with the Community Partnership Council to create welcoming and inclusive communities that support newcomers,” said York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson. “The CPC plays an important role in leveraging partnerships and building awareness in the community to help newcomers fully integrate economically and socially.”

Community Partnership Council members include representation from diverse sectors that includes government, settlement, language, employment, police, education, health and social services. Together with York Regional Council, the CPC identifies priorities and advocates to strengthen newcomer employability, support inclusive workplaces, promote multiculturalism and advance social inclusion.

Members appointed to the 2019 to 2022 term of the CPC include:

Regional Government Sector
Wayne Emmerson, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Regional Municipality of York
Frank Scarpitti, Mayor, City of Markham (Co-Chair)
 
Settlement Services
Patricia Cousins, CEO, Social Enterprise Canada
Deanne Kukulewich, Director, Immigrant Services and Community Programs, Catholic Community Services of York
Ally Lui, Program Director, Centre for Immigrant and Community Services of Ontario
Janet Hallett, Director Education Services, COSTI Immigrant Services
Nella Iasci, Executive Director, Job Skills
 
Employment Skills and Training
Karen McNeil, Senior Director Language Services, Centre for Education & Training
Darryl Gray, Director Education and Training, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Kim Coulter, President and CEO, Jewish Vocational Services Toronto
 
Labour Market Development
Debroy Chan, Director, Immigrant Inclusion Strategies, Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council
Al Wilson, Executive Director, Workforce Planning Board

Resident Members
Alka Kumar, Citizen Representative
Farhad Pourimohammad, Citizen Representative
 
Education and Francophone
Arslan Mahmood, Director, International Services, Seneca College
Monica Brennan, Manager Internationally Educated Professionals, York University
Ab Falconi, Director of Education, York Catholic District School Board
Cecil Roach, Coordinating Superintendent of Education, Indigenous Education and Equity, York Region District School Board
Karine Barrass, Community Liaison Officer for York Simcoe Orangeville and Durham Region, Conseil Scolaire Viamonde
 
Healthcare Services
Rebecca Shields, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association
Natalie Iuzzolino, Health Promoter, Vaughan Community Health Centre
 
Community Safety
Ricky Veerappan, Superintendent – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Bureau, York Regional Police
 
Non-Profit Community Organizations Investment Sector
Noor Din, CEO, Human Endeavour
Samantha Wainberg, Executive Director, York Region Arts Council
Rubaiyat Karim, Manager, Community Investments, United Way Greater Toronto
Ian Nyman, General Manager Employment, YMCA of Greater Toronto

Information on the Community Partnership Council and the 2017 to 2021 York Region Newcomer Strategy is available at yorkwelcome.ca

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