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Task Force on Community Access and Equity |
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The Task Force on Community Access and Equity has not completed its mandate but is no longer active. The following information is provided for archival purposes.
The Task Force on Community Access and Equity was absorbed by the Roundtable on Access, Equity and Human Rights.
Agenda
| Date of Meeting: |
Thursday, July 16, 1998 |
| Time: |
4:30 p.m. |
| Location: |
Committee Room No. 308
3rd Floor, Metro Hall
55 John Street
Toronto
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| Enquiry: |
Margaret Lewis,
Interim Contact
Phone: (416) 395-7354
Fax: 395-7337 |
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST PURSUANT TO THE MUNICIPAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT.
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES.
PRESENTATIONS.
A. - 4:30 p.m., African Canadian Legal Clinic.
Margaret Parsons, Executive Director
(June 26, 1998)
Requesting an opportunity to address the Task Force regarding two main concerns common to all diverse communities: (1) the importance of a strong, vibrant and properly funded Access and Equity Unit that would serve as the corporate catalyst for all access and equity programs and initiatives throughout the City of Toronto; and (2) the importance of strategic planning with broad based community support to ensure that the recommendations of the Task Force are adopted by City Council.
B. - 4:45 p.m., Access Action Council.
Katerina Makovec/Surjan Zirvi, Co-Chairs
(July 3, 1998)
Requesting an opportunity to address the Task Force at the meeting of Thursday, July, 16, 1998.
C. - 5:00 p.m., Toronto Joint Citizens Committee for People with Disabilities.
Peter J. Shepherd, Co-Chair
(June 21, 1998)
Requesting an opportunity to address the Task Force at the meeting of Thursday, July 16, 1998; advising that the Toronto Joint Citizens Committee for People with Disabilities represents a coalition of the citizen members of barrier-free and access Advisory Committees appointed by Councils of the former cities of Metropolitan Toronto and York's Accessibility Awareness Committee; that their mandate focuses on eliminating barriers for persons with disabilities and crosses all equity issues; that their goal is to enable all citizens full membership and participation in the services and facilities provided in and by our respective communities; and that as a result of their experience, they can offer important insight and perspective which will be better understood through direct presentation and dialogue.
Lorne S. Berg, MCIP, RPP, on behalf of the Toronto Joint Citizens Committee for People with Disabilities
(July 10, 1998)
Forwarding a copy of the submission (July 1998) to be presented by the Joint Citizens Committee for People with Disabilities at the July 16, 1998 meeting of the Task Force on Community Access and Equity.
D. 5:15 p.m. Former Mayor's Task Force on the Elderly and Disabled.
John Rae
(June 19, 1998)
Respecting an opportunity to address the Task Force at the meeting of Thursday, July 16, 1998; advising that he believes greater attention must be devoted to giving disability issues higher visibility within Toronto's new reality and that his presentation will consist of two parts (1) how disability issues should receive their rightful attention and (2) substantive issues which require urgent attention.
COMMUNICATIONS/REPORTS.
1. URBAN ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR.
(PLEASE BRING THE 154-PAGE DOCUMENT TITLED "URBAN ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - REPORT OF SEMINAR", FORWARDED TO TASK FORCE MEMBERS ONLY IN THE JUNE 11, 1998 AGENDA AS PART OF ITEM NO. 3. AND DEFERRED TO THE JULY 16, 1998 MEETING)
Chief Administrative Officer and
Executive Director of Human Resources
(June 1, 1998)
Providing an overview of the issues raised during the Urban Aboriginal Economic Development Seminar; and recommending that:
(1) the implementation strategy outlined in Appendix "A" of the report be adopted;
(2) the City departments and special purpose bodies identified in the implementation strategy report their response through their standing committees to the Task Force on Community Access and Equity and to the Aboriginal Business Planning Group;
(3) the Minister for Indian Affairs and Northern Development be invited to meet with the Task Force to discuss opportunities for collaboration and partnership between the Federal Government, the City of Toronto and the Aboriginal Community within Toronto; and
(4) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
2. ACCESS AND EQUITY CONSULTATION ISSUES - NEW OFFICIAL PLAN.
Executive Director, Human Resources
(June 25, 1998)
Advising that at its meeting on Thursday, May 21, 1998, the Task Force on Community Access and Equity considered the communication from the City Clerk (April 20, 1998), advising that City Council had adopted the report embodied in Clause 17 of Report No. 4 of the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee regarding the new Official Plan of the City of Toronto; that the report requested input from various Task Forces regarding the proposed new Official Plan and its work plan as well as a consultation process to allow public access; that the Task Force decided to request staff to submit a focus report on the new Official Plan to the Task Force for its consideration; outlining, in response to this request, consultation strategies which incorporate the principles of access and equity into the preparation of the new Official Plan; and recommending that:
(1) the consultation framework with the City's diverse communities outlined in this report regarding the new Official Plan be endorsed by the Task Force on Community Access and Equity and forwarded to the Urban Environment and Development Committee;
(2) staff report further on specific proposals regarding access and equity to be included in the new Official Plan; and
(3) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
3. ACCESS AND EQUITY GRANTS PROGRAM REVIEW.
Chief Administrative Officer and Executive Director, Human Resources
(July 9, 1998)
Advising that at its meeting on April 29, 1998, the Task Force on Community Access and Equity received a presentation from staff of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Department and the Access and Equity Centre regarding the review of City grants programs being conducted in 1998; that in response to this presentation the Task Force requested further information regarding the review of the Access and Equity Grants Program, particularly on how inequities within this program will be identified and addressed, and information on how other City grants programs will ensure equitable access and funding in future years; that in March, 1998, City Council adopted the report of the Municipal Grants Review Committee regarding the administration of City grants in 1998 and the development of an integrated Municipal Grants Policy for implementation in 1999; that in response to the request of the Task Force, a review of the Access and Equity Grants Program is underway with consultations being coordinated through the Task Force on Community Access and Equity and through focus group discussions coordinated by City staff; that responses to the Task Force have been generated through the Task Force's "Consultation Guide" which has a number of questions regarding grants programs; that the "Discussion Paper" (July 1998) titled "Access and Equity Grants Program Review - 1999 Policy Develop - Discussion Paper" has been developed for focus group discussion with Access and Equity Grant Program recipients and applicants; that the information gathered through the consultation process will contribute to the development of recommendations on the future implementation of the City's Access and Equity Grants Program; and recommending that this report be received for information.
4. PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL MUNICIPAL
ACCESS AND EQUITY PRACTICES.
Chief Administrative Officer and Executive Director, Human Resources
(July 9, 1998)
Advising that on March 4, 1998, City Council adopted the Terms of Reference for the City of Toronto Task Force on Community Access and Equity; that as part of the Terms of Reference, a research plan was outlined which included an international survey of models of municipal access and equity policies and practices; summarizing the basic case for action as to why so many municipalities in many different jurisdictions are advancing their access and equity work on a broad front; forwarding a preliminary review of some of the trends and practices as outlined in the document (July 1998) titled "Municipal Access and Equity Initiatives - A Preliminary Survey of the Experiences of Other Cities", prepared by the Access and Equity Centre; and recommending that this report be received for information.
A COPY OF THE 134-PAGE DOCUMENT TITLED "MUNICIPAL ACCESS AND EQUITY INITIATIVES - A PRELIMINARY SURVEY OF THE EXPERIENCES OF OTHER CITIES" (JULY 1998) HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO MEMBERS OF THE TASK FORCE ONLY.
5. SUB-GROUP REPORTS RESULTING FROM CONSULTATIONS.
(a) Departmental.
Councillor Joe Mihevc
(July 7, 1998)
Advising that as part of the Task Force's consultation process, he and several Task Force members met with the commissioners and their staff to obtain their input to the Task Force Consultation Guide; and forwarding notes of the consultations with the following departments:
Community and Neighbourhood Services
Corporate Services
Economic Development, Culture and Recreation Services
Finance Department
Urban Development Services
Works and Emergency Services
(b) Disability Communities.
Document titled "Consultation Sessions on Disability Issues"
(June 24, 25, 27, 29 and July 6, 1998)
Outlining issues, observations and solutions/recommendations relating to communication, accommodation, representation, accountability of public officials, public participation, employment equity, employment initiatives, employment opportunities for people with disabilities, determining accessibility, the structures needed, developmental reviews/building plans, training/education/ audible pedestrian signals, transportation and parking.
(c) Ethno-Racial Communities.
(Report to follow.)
(d) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Communities.
(Report to follow.)
(e) Immigrant and Refugee Communities.
(Report to follow.)
(f) Women.
(Report to follow.)
(g) Aboriginal Communities.
(Report to follow.)
6. TASK FORCE CONSULTATION GUIDE - WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS.
Charles Smith, Access and Equity Centre
(July 7, 1998)
Advising that the Task Force's Consultation Guide was circulated by mail and made available over the Internet; that individuals receiving the Consultation Guide were invited to either attend one of the many consultation sessions and/or submit their concerns in writing; and that in response to this, the attached submissions have been received from the following and are forwarded for information:
(a) Charles Novogrodsky;
(b) COTAPSAI, the City of Toronto Administrative, Professional Supervisory Association Incorporated;
(c) Ontario March of Dimes;
(d) Canadian Hearing Society, Hearing Care Counselling Program (Toronto Region);
(e) The Employment Equity Council;
(f) Dr. Marlinda Freire;
(g) The Metro Toronto Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic;
(h) New Canadians Settlement Services;
(i) Human Rights and Race Relations Centre; and
(j) A. Ashawasega, City of Toronto Aboriginal Liaison Consultant.
7. LOCATION OF TASK FORCE CONSULTATION MEETINGS - CITY OF ETOBICOKE.
Hazel Webb, Chair, Etobicoke Multicultural and Race Relations Committee
(June 15, 1998)
Advising that the Etobicoke Multicultural and Race Relations Committee, at its meeting on June 9, 1998, reviewed the schedule of Task Force consultations and noted that a large number of the sessions are being held in downtown Toronto; expressing dissatisfaction that Etobicoke has been overlooked for sessions on Ethno-Racial Issues and Immigration and Refugee Issues; and further advising that given the diverse cultural mix of Etobicoke's population and the constant influx of new immigrants and refugees into this community, at least one consultation session on ethno-racial and immigration issues should take place in Etobicoke; and concluding that perhaps the exclusion of Etobicoke in the schedule is an oversight due to the fact that Etobicoke has no representative on the Task Force.
8. MILLENNIUM CELEBRATIONS.
City Clerk
(May 21, 1998)
Advising that City Council at its meeting held on May 13 and 14, 1998, adopted Clause No. 7, embodied in Report No. 8 of the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, headed "Millennium Celebrations and Establishment of a Task Force", wherein it is recommended that:
(1) a Millennium Task Force be struck to plan Toronto's role in the year long activities for the Year 2000, with representation from Council and relevant operating departments, with project management and staff support being seconded from within the City;
(2) the City provide an office and secretarial support to the Task Force until September 1, 1998, at which time the role and activities of the Task Force will be re-evaluated; the City also approve an allocation to the Task Force of $50,000.00 for operating costs and any contracted services over the period ending September 1, 1998;
(3) any Task Force expenditures for outside services be secured by a contract or Memorandum of Understanding for the services to be supplied, accompanied by a set of specific deliverables;
(4) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
City Council on May 13 and 14, 1998 amended the aforementioned Clause by adding thereto the following:
(5) that Councillors Ashton and Korwin-Kuczynski be advised of Councillor Kinahan's interest in serving on the Millennium Task Force.
9. HARMONIZATION OF USER FEES FOR RECREATION PROGRAMS.
City Clerk
(June 8, 1998)
Advising that the City Council at its meeting held on June 3, 4 and 5, 1998, struck out and referred Clause No. 6 embodied in Report No. 9 of The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, headed "Harmonization of User Fees for Recreation Programs", together with all rendered motions, to the User Fee Committee with the request that the User Fees Committee meet as soon as possible to determine how to proceed.
10. LINKAGES WITH OTHER TASK FORCES.
City Clerk
(June 22, 1998)
Advising that the Children's Action Committee on June 12, 1998, had before it a communication (April 28, 1998) from the City Clerk forwarding the action taken by the Task Force on Community Access and Equity on April 27, 1998, which requests the Children's Action Committee to liaise with the Task Force on Community Access and Equity by:
(a) sharing information on their public consultations and communications;
(b) sharing minutes of their meetings and any reports that have access and equity implications;
(c) placing access and equity issues on their agendas and ensuring these issues are included in their deliberations; and
(d) being available to appear before the Task Force on Community Access and Equity on those matters of interest to the Task Force; and
advising that the Children's Action Committee adopted the foregoing recommendations and requested that similar linkages be established with the Task Force on Community Safety.
11. TORONTO ARTS COUNCIL - PAPER ON CULTURAL DIVERSITY -
1992 REPORT TITLED "CULTURAL EQUITY".
Rita Davies, Executive Director, Toronto Arts Council
(June 15, 1998)
Forwarding a paper (June 4, 1998) on the work that the Toronto Arts Council has done in the area of cultural diversity and a copy of the Toronto Arts Council's (June 1992) report titled "Cultural Equity"; commenting that the consultation schedule does not appear to have a session specifically focussed on cultural equity; and recommending that the Task Force seriously consider providing an opportunity for the cultural community to speak on the issue.
A COPY OF THE TORONTO ARTS COUNCIL'S PAPER ON CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND THE TORONTO ARTS COUNCIL'S JUNE 1992 REPORT TITLED "CULTURAL EQUITY" HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO MEMBERS OF THE TASK FORCE ONLY.
12. FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES RACE RELATIONS PROGRAM.
Cyril Dabydeen, Race Relations Managerv
(June 22, 1998)
Forwarding an update with respect to the recent actions of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Race Relations Program after the Annual Conference in Regina in early June, 1998 and a "Year-in-Review" report which was presented at the Conference's Policy on Race Relations on Monday, June 8, 1998.
13. PUBLICATION - "EDUCATION AT WORK" - CANADIAN UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES LOCAL 79.
Publication titled "Education at Work - A Labour-Management Retraining Project" by the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 79.
THE AFOREMENTIONED PUBLICATION HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO MEMBERS OF THE TASK FORCE ONLY.
14. PUBLICATION - "CONNECTION" - ONTARIO OMBUDSMAN NEWSLETTER.
Ontario Ombudsman Newsletter (June 1998) titled "Connection".
THE AFOREMENTIONED PUBLICATION HAS BEEN FORWARDED TO MEMBERS OF THE TASK FORCE ONLY.
15. PERSONNEL MATTER.
The Task Force will meet In-Camera regarding a personnel matter.
ANY OTHER MATTERS.
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