The Task Force on Community Access and Equity has completed its mandate and is no longer active. An Executive Summary of the final report of the Task Force is reproduced here for archival purposes.

Current information regarding the City of Toronto's commitment to access and equity is available on the Diversity Management and Community Engagement pages on our Web site.

*It is suggested that operational procedures within the Terms of Reference be discussed at the first meeting of each community advisory committee.

Names:

Aboriginal Affairs
Disability Issues
Status of Women
Race and Ethnic Relations
Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Issues

Mandate:

1. To provide guidance and advice to City Council: City departments, agencies, boards and commissions and act as a liaison with external bodies on barriers to participation in public life and to the achievement of social, cultural, and economic well-being of the City's residents. The City-wide community advisory bodies will provide advice, identify issues and suggest initiatives which will assist:

   • The Standing Committees of City Council to monitor, review and report on the operations under their control with reference to access, equity and human rights issues.

   • City departments, agencies, boards and commissions in developing and implementing Access, Equity and Human Rights action strategies in all areas of their operations;

   The Community Advisory Committees will:

   • Support and advocate equitable processes of public participation for all Toronto residents in the City's decision-making processes affecting the planning, development and delivery of programs and services; and,

   The Community Advisory Committees will provide advice and guidance in public education with respect to:

   • All sectors of government, that they are aware of and responsive to access, equity and human rights issues in the City of Toronto and can partner in common efforts; and that,

   • Other institutional sectors such as education, media, health and the private sector are also aware of and responsive to their impact on access, equity and human rights issues as well as the climate within which the City's diversity can be respected and enjoyed.

2. Each Community Advisory Committee shall also address the specific issues facing particular communities, develop options for Council's consideration and make recommendations for positive changes that shall improve the quality of the lives of the members of the City's diverse communities.

Membership:

• 18 members, 1 member of Council
• Two thirds (2/3) of the membership should reflect the committees' respective communities
• There shall be two co-chairs to be selected by the members of each committee at its first meeting

Meetings:

• Meetings of the city-wide community advisory committees will be held three to four times a year; additional meetings may be scheduled at the call of the Co-Chairs
• Meetings will follow the guidelines outlined in the Nominating Committee's procedures and rules.

Term of Office:

• The term for the initial appointments to the community advisory councils will continue until the end of the term of the next Council (Nov. 2003)

• Members will be appointed for a 3-year term (to coincide with the term of Council) and/or until a successor is appointed, or City Council terminates an appointment.

• Members are eligible for membership for a maximum of two consecutive three-year terms, if recommended by the Nominating Committee.

• Vacancies shall be filled only if there are at least 6 months remaining of the appointment term or if necessary to maintain a quorum. When filling vacancies, the existing reserve list will be used or the vacancy will be advertised.

• A person appointed to a vacancy left as a result of a resignation will serve the remainder of the term and is eligible to reapply.

• A vacancy may be declared at such time that: a member submits a letter of resignation or is otherwise unable to complete his/her term; or, a member is asked to resign due to excessive absenteeism.

Appointment Process:

• The Nominating Committee will conduct the interview process using community persons nominated by the Task Force on Community Access and Equity.

• The guidelines developed by the Task Force for appointments to the community advisory committees will be considered in the selection process.

• The selection process will be co-ordinated by the Access and Equity Unit with support from the City Clerk.

Quorum:

• A quorum shall be fifty percent of community members on the advisory committee.

Reporting:

The Community Advisory Committees shall report to Council through the appropriate standing committees on issues within the mandates of the respective standing committees.

Secretariat Support: City Clerk

Program Support: Access and Equity Unit

E-mail: diversity@toronto.ca