Final Report - Task Force on Community Access and Equity
The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee recommends that the mandate of the
Task Force on Community Access and Equity be extended for three months.
The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee reports, for the information of Council,
having referred the report dated January 22, 1999, from the Chair of the Task Force on
Community Access and Equity, to the Chief Administrative Officer for report thereon to the
Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee respecting the financial implications in regard
thereto.
The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee submits the following report
(January22,1999) 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.)
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Councillor Joe Mihevc, York Eglinton, appeared before the Strategic Policies and Priorities
Committee in connection with the foregoing matter.