Other Items Considered by the Committee

(a)Federal Funds Available Through the Settlement Renewal Initiative.

The Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee reports having withdrawn the following report and communications at the request of the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants:

(i)(September 18, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services responding to a communication received from the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants regarding the Federal Settlement Renewal Initiative and the availability of Federal funds in this regard;

(ii)(September 8, 1998) from Ms. Sharmini Peries, Executive Director, Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants, requesting the opportunity to appear before the Committee to request support of recommendations to the Federal Government with respect to the Federal funds available through the Settlement Renewal Initiative; and

(iii)(October 6, 1998) from Ms. Betty Joe, OCASI, withdrawing their request to appear before the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee and requesting the removal of their name from any communications/reports in this regard.

(b)Progress Report on the Restructuring of Seaton House.

The Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee reports having received the following report; and having directed that its appreciation be expressed to staff and panel members for their work on the restructuring process:

(September 21, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services providing an update on the progress being made on the restructuring of Seaton House, specifically in the area of architectural plans, program redesign and human resource planning; and recommending that the report be received for information.

(c)Revised Social Assistance Caseload Report.

The Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee reports having received the following reports:

(i)(September 23, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services providing, for information, a revised reporting format for depicting the Ontario Works caseload in Toronto; and outlining the distinct features of the report; and

(ii)(Undated) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services forwarding a copy of the Ontario Works Report for the month of August,1998, as revised, and a copy of the Ontario Works Report for the month of September, 1998.

(d)Social Development Strategy - Elements, Timeless, Process and Preliminary Budget.

The Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee reports having recommended to the Budget Committee the adoption of the following report:

(September 24, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services outlining the proposed elements, timelines, processes and preliminary budget for the Social Development Strategy, and its relationship to the City's Strategic Plan; and recommending that:

(1)Council approve the development of a Social Development Strategy and the process and timelines as outlined in this report;

(2)the Department provide in its 1999 budget request an amount of $70,000.00 for developing the Social Development Strategy;

(3)this report be referred to the Budget Committee for consideration in the 1999 budget process;

(4)Council adopt the Social Development Strategy objectives, as follows:

(a)to set the direction for social and community development in the new City of Toronto by establishing a set of clearly articulated goals and monitoring systems;

(b)to involve communities, clients, funders and policy makers in defining community social needs and priorities;

(c)to channel the results productively into a comprehensive and coherent vision for the future;

(d)to improve service co-ordination and linkages and to rationalize the provision of social and community services across the new City of Toronto; and

(e)to maintain and enhance the reputation of Toronto as the best city in the world to live through the development of dynamic, responsive social policy and the provision of effective services and programs; and

(5)the appropriate City officials be authorized to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

(e)Castleview Wychwood Towers - Accreditation Award.

The Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee reports having received the following communication; and having directed that the Chair of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee extend congratulations to Castleview Wychwood Towers Home for the Aged:

(September 18, 1998) from the City Clerk advising that the Advisory Committee on Homes for the Aged on September 18, 1998, had before it a report dated August 20, 1998, from the General Manager, Homes for the Aged, indicating that the Accreditation Survey for Castleview Wychwood Towers by the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation was carried out from May 10-13, 1998; and that the Advisory Committee directed that the aforementioned report be forwarded to the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee for information.

(f)Seven Oaks - Accreditation Award.

The Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee reports having received the following communication; and having directed that the Chair of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee extend congratulations to Seven Oaks Home for the Aged.

(September 18, 1998) from the City Clerk advising that the Advisory Committee on Homes for the Aged on September 18, 1998, had before it a report dated August 20, 1998, from the General Manager, Homes for the Aged, indicating that the Accreditation Survey for Seven Oaks by the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation was carried out from May6-8, 1998; and that the Advisory Committee directed that the aforementioned report be forwarded to the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee for information.

(g)1999 International Year of Older Persons - Proposed Projects.

The Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee reports having received the following communication:

(September 25, 1998) from the City Clerk advising that the Seniors' Task Force on September 15, 1998, had before it a report (September 1, 1998) from Ms. Edna Beange, Ms.Ruth Brown, Mr. Bill Campbell and Ms.Dorothy MacKinnon respecting proposed projects for the 1999 International Year of Older Persons, and adopted the aforementioned report, wherein it recommended:

(1)an effective system of street signage for the entire City of Toronto;

(2)a walking program with kick-off walk to be held at 1:30 p.m. on October 4, 1998, from the St. Lawrence Centre to the McKenzie House, guided by members of the Toronto Historical Society; and

(3)involving all media sources to seek out retired seniors in order to identify and publicize seniors' activities, needs, and to develop and utilize effective lobbying techniques on behalf of seniors.

(h)Outstanding Items - Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee.

The Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee reports having:

(1)received the following communication from the City Clerk; and

(2)referred the following communication from Councillor Chow to the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services and Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism for a joint report thereon to the appropriate Committee:

(i)(September 28, 1998) from the City Clerk submitting, for information, the list of outstanding items of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee as of July 31, 1998; and

(ii)(undated) from Councillor Olivia Chow, Downtown, recommending that:

(1)the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services and Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism assist the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services to:

(i)report on the impact of closing up to 200 schools;

(ii)provide support to the School Boards' review in determining which schools are destined to close; and

(iii)participate in bringing local residents to the Area Review Committees; and

(2)future reports relating to school closings be sent to the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee and Economic Development Committee for information and action.

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Councillor Pam McConnell, Don River, appeared before the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee in connection with the school closings referred to in the communication from CouncillorChow.