Terms of reference for the
city-wide Community Advisory Committees
on Access, Equity and Human Rights

Council Reference:

Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, Report No. 10, Clause 2, June 1999 and Policy and Finance Committee,
Report No. 11, Clause 1, December 1999.

Names:

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

Mandate:

The community advisory committees shall use their knowledge and expertise to provide advice to City Council, through the standing committees of Council, 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.

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, at least 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 at the first meeting.

Meetings:

• Meetings of the city-wide community advisory committees will be held three to four times a year.
• The community advisory committees will meet jointly for an annual community consultation on access, equity and human rights to provide input to planning, policy and program development.
• 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 committees will continue until the end of the term of the next Council - November 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 selection process for members follows the City's Nominating Committee process.
• 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:

Office of Equity, Diversity and Human Rights, City Manager's Office.