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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The Task Force on Community Access and Equity has not completed its mandate but is no longer active.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.
THE CITY OF TORONTO
Clerk's Department
Minutes
Thursday, May 21, 1998.
The Task Force on Community Access and Equity met on Thursday, May 21, 1998, in Committee Room 303, 3rd Floor, Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Toronto, commencing at 9:40 a.m.
Members Present:
Councillor Joe Mihevc, Co-Chair
Sylvia Maracle, Co-Chair
Councillor Pam McConnell
Gloria Fallick
Dennis Fong
Sonja Greckol
Karen Mock
Charles Ng
Khan Rahi
Duberlis Ramos
Jenny Ratansi-Rodrigues
Al Reeves
Kenn Richard
Regrets:
Carole Riback
Also Present:
Councillor Tom Jakobek, East Toronto
Sylvia Maracle in the Chair.
Confirmation of Minutes.
On motion by Charles Ng, the Minutes of the meeting of the Task Force on Community Access and Equity held on April 27, 1998 were confirmed, subject to deleting Charles Ng's name from the list of members on the Immigrant and Refugee community focus group outlined on page 5.
13. A New Official Plan for the City of Toronto.
The Task Force on Community Access and Equity had before it a communication (April 20, 1998) from the City Clerk, advising that City Council on April 16, 1998, adopted, without amendment, the following recommendations embodied in Clause 17 of Report No. 4 of The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, headed "A New Official Plan for the City of Toronto", which directed, inter alia:
"(4) that the following Council-appointed Task Forces and Committee be requested to forward to the Urban Environment and Development Committee their recommendations regarding the proposed new Official Plan and the Official Plan work plan:
- Access and Equity Action Plan, Race Relations, Disability and Human Rights, and Ethno-Canadian Issues Task Force;
- Homeless Strategy Task Force;
- Task Force to Develop a Strategy for Issues of Concern to the Elderly;
- Environmental Task Force;
- Children's Action Committee; and
- Task Force on Community Safety; and
(5) that the consultation process be modified:
(a) to reflect the need to address social and environmental issues in the new Official Plan;
(b) and expanded to allow sufficient access to the public; and
(c) to give the Council-appointed Task Forces and Committee, referred to in Recommendation No. (4), above a formal role in the consultation process to focus the public input on critical social and environmental issues."
A. Councillor Mihevc moved that the Environmental Task Force be requested to ensure that access and equity becomes part of the official plan or vision of the City of Toronto; and that they incorporate access and equity proposals and values resulting from their consultations.
Councillor Mihevc requested the permission of the Committee to withdraw his foregoing Motion A.
The Committee concurred with Councillor Mihevc's request.
B. Councillor Mihevc moved that the appropriate staff submit a focus report on the New Official Plan for the City of Toronto, to the Task Force on Community Access and Equity for its consideration.
Upon the question of the adoption of the foregoing motion B. by Councillor Mihevc, it was carried.
(Sent to: Chief Administrative Officer; c. Charles Smith, Access and Equity Centre)
14. Pressures Facing Subsidized Child Care Programs.
The Task Force on Community Access and Equity on May 21, 1998 had before it a communication (April 30, 1998) from Marbeth Greer, Committee Administrator, Committee on the Status of Women, forwarding a communication (April 28, 1998), addressed to City Council, from the Committee on the Status of Women, wherein it is recommended that City Council:
(1) set a goal to provide an additional 17,000 licensed daycare spaces in the City of Toronto;
(2) view child care services as a basic pre-condition for a healthy economy, as well as a basic services such as health, housing, water, roads and transportation;
(3) direct staff to develop processes linked to the Official Plan and development policies that would increase the number of workplace daycare centres; and
(4) direct staff to develop capital strategies, similar to those in place for public works, that would provide ongoing funding for child care services;
and advising that City Council considered the foregoing communication with its 1998 Operating Budget on April 29 and 30, 1998.
On motion by Jenny Ratansi-Rodrigues the Task Force endorsed the recommendations embodied in the aforementioned communication; with the understanding that the Committee on the Status of Women will examine and develop a comprehensive approach to child care which will consider night-time care or other alternative arrangements and requested that the Special Committee to Review the Final Report of the Toronto Transition Team be so advised.
(Sent to: Special Committee to Review the Final Report of the Toronto Transition Team; Marbeth Greer, Committee Administrator, Committee on the Status of Women; Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services; Commissioner, Economic Development and Culture and Tourism; Commissioner, Community and Neighbourhood Services; Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer; Commissioner of Corporate Services; Commissioner, Urban Planning and Development Services; Medical Officer of Health; c. Charles Smith - May 25, 1998)
15. "'Who's Listening?': The Impact of Immigration
and Refugee Settlement on Toronto".
The Task Force on Community Access and Equity on May 21, 1998 had before it a joint report (May 11, 1998) from the Chief Administrative Officer and the Executive Director Human Resources, headed "'Who's Listening?: The Impact of Immigration and Refugee Settlement on Toronto': A Report on the September 29 and 30, 1997 Forum," recommending that:
(i) the implementation strategy outlined in Appendix "A" of this report be adopted;
(ii) the City Departments and Special Purpose Bodies identified in the implementation strategy report their response through their Standing Committee to the Task Force on Community Access and Equity; and
(iii) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
The Task Force also had before it a report prepared by Patrick G. Hunter on behalf of the Advisory Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Issues, titled "Who's Listening? - The Impact of Immigration and Refugee Settlement on Toronto."
On motion by Councillor Mihevc, the Task Force:
(1) adopted the aforementioned joint report from the Chief Administrative Officer and the Executive Director, Human Resources, subject to amending Recommendation No. (2) by deleting the words "Task Force on Community Access and Equity" and inserting in lieu thereof the words "Advisory Committee on Immigration and Refugee Issues of Toronto," so that such Recommendation shall now read as follows:
"(2) the City Departments and Special Purpose Bodies identified in the implementation strategy report their response through their Standing Committee to the Advisory Committee on Immigration and Refugee Issues of Toronto;";
(2) requested the following Departments and Special Purpose Bodies to forward their response to the Recommendations embodied in Appendix "A" to the aforementioned joint report, through their Standing Committee, to the Advisory Committee on Immigration and Refugee Issues of Toronto:
- Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism;
- Commissioner, Urban Planning and Development Services;
- Equity in Business Advisory Committee;
- Toronto Board of Health;
- Toronto District School Board;
- Minister for Education and Skills Development;
- Ministry of Community and Social Services;
- Municipal Grants Review Committee; and
- Advisory Committee on Immigration and Refugee Issues of Toronto; and
(3) requested the appropriate staff to forward the aforementioned reports to the Sub-Committee on Immigration and Refugee Issues of the Task Force on Community Access and Equity, for consideration.
(Sent to: Chief Administrative Officer; Executive Director Human Resources;Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism; Commissioner, Urban Planning and Development Services; Equity in Business Advisory Committee; Toronto Board of Health; Toronto District School Board; Minister for Education and Training; Ministry of Community and Social Services; Municipal Grants Review Committee; Advisory Committee on Immigration and Refugee Issues of Toronto; c. Charles Smith, Access and Equity Centre; Medical Officer of Health - May 25, 1998)
16. Consultation Guide for First Phase
of Consultations, May-June, 1998.
The Task Force on Community Access and Equity on May 21, 1998 had before it a joint report (May 11, 1998) from the Chief Administrative Officer and Executive Director of Human Resources forwarding a Consultation Guide that provides a summary of all submissions on access and equity issues made to the Toronto Transition Team in 1998; focuses on the development of appropriate structures and puts forward various models for discussion on the kind of structures the new City of Toronto should put into place at the City's political and bureaucratic structures and within the community; and recommending that the report be received as information.
A representative of each of the following focus groups presented a brief verbal report on the status of preparations for the consultation sessions:
(a) Ethno-racial communities - Dennis Fong;
(b) Disability communities - Al Reeves;
(c) Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities - Charles Ng;
(d) Immigrant and refugee communities - Khan Rahi;
(e) Women - Sonja Greckol; and
(f) Aboriginal communities - Sylvia Maracle.
A. Dennis Fong moved that the Task Force adopt the Consultation Guide in principle.
B. Councillor Joe Mihevc moved that:
(1) any Task Force Member wishing to make minor changes contact Charles Smith of the Access and Equity Centre by no later than 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 1998 in order that he may complete the final editing as soon as possible; and
(2) each sub-committee consultation group developed on April 27, 1998, establish a date, time and location for the public consultation and submit the information to Charles Smith, Toronto Access and Equity Centre by Friday, May 29, 1998, for distribution.
Upon the question of the adoption of the foregoing motion A. by Dennis Fong, it was carried.
Upon the question of the adoption of the foregoing motion B. by Councillor Mihevc, it was carried.
(Sent to: Chief Administrative Officer; Executive Director, Human Resources; Members, Task Force on Community Access and Equity; c. Charles Smith - May 25, 1998)
17. Response to the Immigration Legislative Review
Advisory Group Report: "Not Just Numbers: A Canadian Framework for Future Immigration".
The Task Force on Community Access and Equity had before it for information a report (undated), headed "Response to the Immigration Legislative Review Advisory Group Report: 'Not Just Numbers: A Canadian Framework for Future Immigration'", forwarded by Charles Ng.
On motion by Jenny Ratansi-Rodrigues, the Task Force requested the Clerk of the Task Force to forward the aforementioned report to the Sub-Committee on Immigration of the Task Force on Community Access and Equity.
(Sent to: Sub-Committee on Immigration; c. Charles Smith, Access and Equity Centre - May 25, 1998)
18. Corporate Action Plan for the
Service Equity Committee.
On motion by Councillor Mihevc, the Task Force agreed to defer consideration of this matter until such time as the item dealing with "Presentations to the Task Force" is considered.
19. Hate Crimes and Anti-Hate
Initiatives in Toronto.
The Task Force on Community Access and Equity had before it for information, a joint report (May 12, 1998) from the Chief Administrative Officer and Executive Director of Human Resources headed "Hate Crimes and Anti-Hate Initiatives in Toronto", forwarding the following documents containing information on hate crime statistics, anti-Semitic incidents, anti-gay and lesbian violence, together with a guidebook on how to prevent and respond to hate activities:
(a) "1997 Annual Report on Hate Motivated Crimes" by the Toronto Police Service;
(b) "1997 Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents" by the League for Human Rights of B'nai Brith Canada;
(c) "Anti-Gay/Lesbian Violence on Individuals and Communities" by The 519 Victim Assistance Program; and
(d) "Hate: Communities Can Respond" by the City of Toronto Community Advisory Committee on Anti-Hate/Anti-Racism.
On motion by Dennis Fong, the Task Force:
(1) received the aforementioned report and accompanying documents for information;
(2) referred the accompanying documents to the Task Force on Community Safety with the request that the Task Force on Community Access and Equity be given an opportunity to present the issues at a future meeting of the Task Force on Community Safety; and
(3) requested appropriate Sub-Committees of the Task Force on Community Access and Equity to review the aforementioned documents and report thereon to the Task Force.
(Sent to: Chief Administrative Officer; Executive Director of Human Resources; Members, Task Force on Community Safety; Task Force on Community Access and Equity; c. Charles Smith - May 28, 1998)
20. Presentations to the Task Force -
Corporate Action Plan for the
Service Equity Committee.
The Task Force on Community Access and Equity had before it a communication (May 13, 1998) from Marbeth Greer, Committee Administrator, City of Toronto Service Equity Committee, advising that the former City of Toronto Council on October 6 and 7, 1997:
(a) approved the Status Report on the Corporate Action Plan for the Service Equity Program;
(b) directed that it be forwarded to the new City Council for continued implementation; and
(c) requested the new City Council to establish a citizen committee that would continue to provide advice on program implementation;
and further advising that on October 31, 1997, the Service Equity Committee wrote to the Toronto Transition Team setting out its recommendations, and now wishes to appear before the Task Force on Community Access and Equity at its meeting on June 11, 1998.
The Task Force also had before it a joint report (May 12, 1998) from Task Force Co- Chairs Councillor Joe Mihevc and Sylvia Maracle, recommending that:
(i) the Task Force set up a sub-group to receive presentations on issues relating to the Task Force's Terms of Reference;
(ii) the Task Force sub-group communicate to those wishing to make presentations and coordinate dates and times to do so; and subsequently make recommendations to the Task Force if appropriate; and
(iii) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
A. Dennis Fong moved that the foregoing recommendations embodied in the aforementioned report (May 12, 1998) from the Task Force Co-Chairs; be adopted.
B. Councillor Mihevc moved that the Task Force on Community Access and Equity establish a Sub-Committee to Receive Presentations, comprised of the following Members:
- Councillor Joe Mihevc;
- Sonja Greckol;
- Jenny Ratansi-Rodrigues; and
- Al Reeves.
C. Al Reeves moved that the communication (May 13, 1998) from Marbeth Greer, be referred to the Sub-Committee to Receive Presentations, for its consideration.
Upon the question of the adoption of the foregoing motion A. by Dennis Fong, it was carried.
Upon the question of the adoption of the foregoing motion B. by Councillor Mihevc, it was carried.
Upon the question of the adoption of the foregoing motion C. by Al Reeves, it was carried.
(Sent to: Sub-Committee to Receive Presentations; Marbeth Greer, Committee on the Status of Women; c. Charles Smith - May 25, 1998)
21. Reimbursement for Member's Expenses.
The Task Force on Community Access and Equity had before it a joint communication (May 12, 1998) from Task Force Co-Chairs Councillor Joe Mihevc and Sylvia Maracle advising that there have been some questions regarding the process for reimbursing members for eligible expenses, as referred to in the Terms of Reference; that in order for these costs to be reimbursed, a Member must be on Task Force business as approved by the Task Force; and that all eligible expenses are to be listed on the expense form provided and subsequently submitted to Charles Smith for review and approval by the Co-Chairs.
On motion by Kenn Richard, the Task Force:
(1) received the aforementioned communication for information; and
(2) requested that parking at Metro Hall be provided for the following Task Force Members:
- Dennis Fong;
- Sonja Greckol;
- Sylvia Maracle;
- Karen Mock; and
- Carole Riback.
(Sent to: Commissioner of Corporate Services; c. Charles Smith, Access and Equity Centre)
22. Other Matters Considered by the
Task Force on Community Access and Equity.
A. Councillor Mihevc moved that the appropriate staff be requested to prepare a regular newsletter providing an update on the activities of the Task Force on Community Access and Equity.
B. Dennis Fong moved that the appropriate staff be requested to prepare a media package to assist members of the Task Force on Community Access and Equity when dealing with the media.
C. Councillor Mihevc moved that staff prepare an appropriate package for the Mayor's "Kick-Off" of the work of the Task Force on Community Access and Equity, to coincide with the availability of the consultation document and schedule of community consultation meetings for the various focus groups.
D. Sonja Greckol moved that the appropriate staff of the Access and Equity Centre utilize E-Mail and the Internet when feasible.
E. Al Reeves moved that the Clerk of the Task Force investigate access issues with respect to accommodating wheelchairs at meetings of the Task Force.
Upon the question of the adoption of the foregoing motion A. by Councillor Mihevc, it was carried.
Upon the question of the adoption of the foregoing motion B. by Dennis Fong, it was carried.
Upon the question of the adoption of the foregoing motion C. by Councillor Mihevc, it was carried.
Upon the question of the adoption of the foregoing motion D. by Sonja Greckol, it was carried.
Upon the question of the adoption of the foregoing motion E. by Al Reeves, it was carried.
(Sent to: Chief Administrative Officer; c. Charles Smith, Access and Equity Centre)
The Task Force on Community Access and Equity adjourned its meeting at 12:30 p.m.
(signed by)
Chair
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