Update: Domise has been informed by the Ministry of the Attorney General that his bid to incorporate Techsdale as a not-for-profit will be approved as-is. "It is interesting that it was a no-go yesterday but all of a sudden after I made all this noise, they will go ahead and put it through," he said Friday.

Andray Domise says he just wants to teach kids of colour how to design video games and apps and break into the tech industry.

But after months of jumping hurdles, he says the heaviest blow yet was delivered Wednesday, when a provincial government official allegedly suggested that he remove "diverse youth" from his organization's name, lest straight white males be excluded.

Domise had enlisted a private firm, the Business Development Centre, to work with Ontario's Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee to incorporate Techsdale, a tech workshop he co-created for youth of colour and other diversities (think: women, immigrants).

BDC told Domise it had briefly discussed the application with an "Ontario government examiner," who allegedly suggested Domise had a better chance of approval if he modified descriptors like "diverse youth," in order to be more inclusive of straight males.

That was based on his original moniker: "Techsdale Association for Diverse Youth in Game Design and Tech Education."

Domise posted part of the missive from BDC explaining its interpretation of the Ontario examiner's advice in a tweet Wednesday.

We've gone through hell getting @techsdale registered nonprofit. Now I understand why. Tell me what you see wrong. pic.twitter.com/nwmPojj8bN

— Andray ?? (@AndrayDomise) September 8, 2016

"That’s where I lost it. I thought, if I now have to change the definition of the articles of incorporation to make sure that I’m not excluding straight white boys from the program, then what am I even doing? Why are we even here?" Domise said in an interview.

"All we’re talking about here is teaching young people of colour and other diversity on how to get into the tech industry, how to make video games, that’s all we’re doing here."

BDC would not discuss specifics of the Techsdale application. However, a spokesperson explained BDC's process in general terms, saying that case workers typically and regularly consult with government examiners at OPGT for guidance when a client has "customized" articles of incorporation, as Domise's did. With charities in particular, OPGT also lists pre-approved articles to speed up the process.

Once a not-for-profit is successfully reviewed by OPGT, it is sent to the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services for incorporation.

In an email to Domise that was provided to QP Briefing, BDC said, "The examiner is an employee of The Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee under the Attorney General. Their responsibility in this case is, but not limited to, ensuring customized objects are charitable in nature."

The government said in an email the issues are being resolved and that the application process is moving forward.

"Charitable organizations play an important role in creating fair and inclusive society. We recognize the hard work and dedication of these organizations and the positive impact they have on people’s lives," wrote Clare Graham, spokeswoman for the Attorney General, whose ministry governs the OPGT.

"The Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee is committed to helping charitable organizations incorporate by providing feedback designed to strengthen their application to incorporate. We have reached out to the Business Development Centre, the private company representing the applicant, to offer our assistance."

Making matters worse, Domise said, is that the deadline for provincial government grants like the Youth Opportunities Fund and the Ontario 150 — with potentially thousands of dollars up for grabs — is fast approaching at the end of September.

Domise has been trying to get Techsdale incorporated as a not-for-profit organization since February, with the intent to diversify the tech industry, which has typically been dominated by straight white men, particularly in the Silicon Valley.

Premier Kathleen Wynne has touted the Toronto-Waterloo region as an "innovation super corridor" and Domise said his organization aims to buck the industry norm in Ontario.

He noted Techsdale has garnered plenty of public support from civil and engineering advocates who recommended he approach the Mars Discovery District. When he did, he said he was referred to a Bay Street law firm that required $10,000 for its services.

Being too costly, Domise approached BDC to handle the application to the province. Now, after months of delay, the prominent civil rights advocate and erstwhile Rob Ford opponent for the Ward 2 Toronto council seat, said he is discouraged.

"It's just been frustrating and disheartening from the get-go," Domise said. "As somebody who sits outside the process, I don't have contacts in government that can give me the lay of the land and tell me exactly what it is to do to make sure this goes through.

"I don't have those connections, I'm just a dude who happens to have a platform because I can write well. I have no idea how normal people, who don't have connections and tons of money at their disposal, really do this."

To contact the reporter on this story:
snanji@qpbriefing.com
416-212-5789

Tech workshop allegedly told to remove ‘diverse youth’ from name to get government incorporation as not-for-profit

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