January 5, 1999

To:Corporate Services Committee

From:Chief Administrative Officer

Subject:City of Toronto French Committee

Recommendations:

It is recommended that this report be received for information.

Council Reference:

On December 4, 1998 the Special Committee to Review the Final Report of the Toronto Transition Team considered a communication from Councillor Mario Silva and a report from the French Committee of Toronto City Hall. The report and Councillor Silva's memorandum described the role that the French Committee played in the former City of Toronto and recommended that a similar committee, to be known as the City of Toronto French Committee, continue in the new City of Toronto. The Special Committee to Review the Final Report of the Toronto Transition Team requested the Chief Administrative Officer to report to the Corporate Services Committee on January 18, 1999 on an appropriate reporting structure and funding for the proposed City of Toronto French Committee.

Comments:

In 1998, funding for the existing French Committee of Toronto City Hall was provided from the Corporate Services Department's operating budget. An identical amount to the 1998 allocation has been included in the Department's preliminary operating estimates for 1999. The committee used this funding to finance its research, reports and meetings. Staff in the Corporate Communications Division of the Corporate Services Department served as the key contact between the committee and the City of Toronto.

Because of these historic linkages and the relevance of the proposed French Committee's activities to the corporate access and equity and information and communications portfolios, I have referred this matter to the Commissioner of Corporate Services for a more detailed response to the Special Committee's request. The Commissioner will report to the February meeting of the Corporate Services Committee.

Michael R. Garrett

Chief Administrative Officer