The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee submits the following report (January 22, 1999) from Councillor Joe Mihevc, Chair, Task Force on Community Access Equity:
Purpose:
To extend the mandate of the Task Force on Community Access and Equity by three months to allow the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare an options report on administrative structures to be considered in the finalization of the Report.
Financial Implications:
None. Each of the former municipalities allocated resources for the implementation of programs and services to support achieving access and equity for all human rights designated groups facing barriers and for the participation of representatives of these groups on municipal advisory committees on equity issues. The Chief Administrative Officer’s report regarding the implementation plan for the Final Report of the Task Force will address resource requirements.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) the Chief Administrative Officer be requested to prepare a report for the end of March, if possible, for consideration by the Task Force on Community Access and Equity and that the report address the following:
(a) administrative options to support this Action Plan which includes community advisory committees; an Aboriginal Affairs Office, a Disability Issues Office, a Human Rights Office; and an Access and Equity Centre with geographic sites;
(b) an external evaluation mechanism for conducting an Access, Equity and Human Rights Audit every 3 years for each term of Council on the implementation of Council’s policies on access, equity and human rights; and
(c) the level of resources required for the harmonization and leveling up of the access, equity and human rights programs and policies of the former municipalities.
(2) the mandate for the Task Force on Community Access and Equity be extended by 3 months to provide the time required by the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare the options report outlined in Recommendation No. 1; and
(3) the appropriate City officials be authorized to take the necessary actions to give effect thereto.
Council Reference:
At its meeting of March 4, 5 and 6, 1998, Toronto City Council established the Task Force on Community Access and Equity to address the ways in which the City can:
"(i) strengthen civic society and in particular empower those members of the community who face barriers to full participation in the life of the community;
(ii) take a more effective role in addressing the barriers faced by women, people of colour, Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, lesbians, gays, bi-sexual and transgendered, immigrants/refugees, different religious/faith communities;
(iii) strengthen community involvement and public participation in the decision-making processes of the municipality, particularly for equity seeking communities;
(iv) continue the City’s pro-active role in linking and partnering with other institutions and agencies, as well as with the community, in engaging in initiatives in support of access and equity;
(v) ensure that the contributions, interests and needs of all sectors of Toronto’s diverse population are reflected in the City’s mission, operation and service delivery; and
(vi) continue the City’s leadership in the community as a model employer with a workforce that reflects the diversity of its residents and which follows fair and equitable employment practices".
Council also authorized the continuation of the existing advisory committees of the former municipalities; the filling of vacancies using Task Force selection criteria; and the continuation of all the access and equity policies and programs of these municipalities. Council requested the Task Force to submit its final report in January, 1999 and to remain in place until the end of March to advise on implementation.
Comments:
The Task Force Members were appointed in April, 1998. The Task Force has met monthly and held a number of consultations with a wide range of community organizations at many different locations across the City.
Many people who participated in the consultations were pleased that the Task Force consulted them about access, equity and human rights issues, but were anxious about whether the consultations meant that the City of Toronto was no longer committed to the previous policies and programs of the former municipalities.
Community members stated over and over again, that despite their personal and group situations, the strong voice with which the City has spoken on many issues has made the City a better place to live. However, members of the community are mindful of the increase in hate motivated activities against many of the human rights protected groups. Many members of these groups have found that lack of recognition of non-Canadian work experience, difficulties with gaining Canadian work experience, lack of accommodation, inadequate child care and transportation barriers continue to be problems. During consultations, they reported that downloading is negatively affecting members of their communities and that their organizations, faced with budgetary cuts, are unable to respond to need.
Members of the groups have very positive feelings about the past and ongoing efforts of the City to be an advocate to other levels of government and to respond to the diverse service needs of its population. Community members also stressed that the assembly of people from all corners of the world living and working in the City has created a social fabric that is the envy of many.
The Task Force also found that the feelings of "ownership" and "belonging", were fostered by the presence of the community advisory committees established by the former municipalities, both at the City wide and departmental levels. Through these committees, groups who face barriers were able to give advice on policy issues to their Councils and to provide input to Departments about specific service needs.
However, the Task Force also heard very clearly from the Aboriginal community that there is a failure to recognize, respect or value their distinct status within society.
The Task Force also noted that there was a wide variation among the former municipalities regarding the policies, programs, resource allocation and administrative structures with respect to access, employment equity, service equity and human rights. In particular, the Task Force noted in its review of reports prepared for the Toronto Transition Team that 38 of the 44 staff positions specifically dedicated to the delivery of access, service equity, human rights and employment equity programs were staff of either the former Metro Toronto or the former City of Toronto.
Task Force Preliminary Conclusions:
The Task Force members are beginning to conclude that:
(1) there is a continuing need for community advisory committees regarding access and equity resulting from the barriers faced by human rights protected groups and lack of access to full participation in all aspects of social, cultural, economic and political life;
(2) there is a continued advocacy role which City Council must play with other levels of government, institutions and the community at large;
(3) the City can assist the Aboriginal people of Toronto who are working towards "self determination";
(4) the City must maintain its corporate leadership role in implementing employment equity and human rights programs, and in providing services which respect the unique needs of human rights protected groups;
(5) the City must continue to build community capacity through grants and other resource supports; and
(6) the pro-active stance taken by the former municipalities and the new city on these issues have helped to foster a spirit of mutuality and trust among the people of Toronto and has contributed to the City’s reputation for its ability to embrace and nurture its diverse communities.
(A copy of the draft report dated January, 1999, from the Task Force on Community Access and Equity entitled "Diversity Our Strength - Access and Equity Our Goal", was provided to all Members of Council under separate cover, and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)
