Meet 3 Londoners looking to land spots on city diversity committee

On Monday London city council's Corporate Services Committee will fill three vacancies on a citizens committee that advises council on issues related to diversity, inclusion and anti-oppression. 

Three new members will be named to the Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Community Advisory Committee.  

CBC News reached out to candidates running for the committee slots. Here's what three had to say about why they're running. 

Chantal Tagatzi

A French speaker born in Cameroon, Chantal Kamgne Tagatzi has her own translation business and wants to improve access to services in French at the city and all levels of government. 

The 45-year-old came to Canada in 2010, spending two years in Quebec before coming to London. 

"I absolutely love London," she said.  

London has a small Cameroonian community and a large Francophone community, she said. 

Tagatzi noted that the committee aims to have at least one French speaker on its board, a need she's keen to fill. 

"I saw that's something they are looking for, and I think I can help with that," she said. 

She wants to expand access to city services in French. Currently the city's website has a "translate" button for various languages. But the function is what Tagatzi calls "automatic" translation which she said creates a less than optimal translation.

"I just think the city could do better," she said. "Sometimes people can be looking for service in French but not know where to find those services." 

Avdija Ramic

Born in Bosnia, Ramic came to Canada in 2018 to work as the Imam at Bosnian Canadian Islamic Centre. Back home, he majored in Islamic studies and law. 

Ramic is married with three children. As a potential committee member, he brings the experience of a community that's faced persecution and attempted genocide in the Balkan war which engulfed the former Yugoslavia in the 1990s. 

"I came here because I saw my people struggling," he said. "People who were running for their life, they came to Canada and I came here to work with them. I'm glad I came here because we have an amazing community." 

Ramic said there are about 200 families in London of Bosnian background. 

"London is an amazing community," he said. "I want to join this committee because I want to help people." 

Ramic hopes a spot on the committee might help build connections at city hall and give him a deeper understanding of how city government works. He'd one day maybe even make a run at a city council seat. 

"Everything was new when I came here in 2018," he said. "And every day I am learning." 

Navin Droom

A 27-year-old recent graduate of King's University College, Navin Droom wants a seat on the committee so he can share his experience of being from a diverse community.

Born to parents from Guyana, Droom recently earned his degree in social justice and peace studies. 

"My parents have always motivated my brother and I to get involved with community engagement," he said. 

He's worked and volunteered with the Red Circle Hockey League and worked as a summer playground supervisor and program instructor with the city. He's also worked with the YMCA. 

"As a visible minority I think it's important to focus on calling people into discussions rather than calling them out," he said. 

He's recently accepted a position as a summer youth program coordinator with Metropolitan United Church in the city's west end. 

"The best thing about working with kids is learning about their unique experiences," he said.