National Children's Agenda - Round Table Discussions

The Community Services Committee recommends the adoption of the recommendation of the Children and Youth Action Committee embodied in the communication dated September 23, 1999, from the City Clerk.

The Community Services Committee reports, for the information of Council, having:

(a)received Recommendation No. (1) contained in the communication (undated) from Councillor Olivia Chow, Child and Youth Advocate; and

(b)referred to the Policy and Finance Committee for consideration the following recommendations contained in the aforementioned communication from Councillor Chow:

"(2)that the City of Toronto reiterate its support for the federal firearms control legislation, and that this support be communicated to the Federal Justice Minister and the Solicitor General of Canada, and to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM);

(3)that staff complete the survey regarding the establishment of a Local Crime Prevention Council and explore federal funding sources in support of Council's work on safe community initiatives; and

(4)that various existing policies and initiatives on prostitution be collected and sent to the December board meeting of FCM for discussion."

The Community Services Committee submits the following communication (September 23, 1999) from the City Clerk:

Recommendations:

The Children and Youth Action Committee recommended to the Community Services Committee that it be authorized to:

(1)sponsor a round table discussion to invite a response from the community on the National Children's Agenda; and

(2)invite Federal Members of Parliament to the round table discussion to enable them to hear the community's response;

and noted that funds in an approximate amount of $1,500.00 are available for this purpose in the Children and Youth Action Committee's 1999 Operating Budget.

Background:

The Children and Youth Action Committee on September 21, 1999, gave consideration to the following verbal updates from Committee members in connection with a federal strategy on a commitment to children:

-Ms. Jane Mercer on the Federal Liaison Sub-Group;

-Ms. Fiona Nelson on a meeting with her local Member of Parliament; and

-Trustee Elizabeth Boyd on a meeting with the Member of Parliament for Rosedale.

In connection with this item, Councillor Chow provided a verbal update on the following initiatives:

-unveiling of a clock by the Mayor to monitor the elimination of child poverty;

-a postcard campaign to reduce child poverty;

-a motion passed at the FCM Conference in support of investing in children;

-a pilot project on the seamless day; and

-promotion of "the best return is investing in children" by economists of the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Ms. Fiona Nelson advised the Committee of a round table discussion on Children's Issues to be held on Thursday, September 23, 1999, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Hillcrest Community Centre Gymnasium.

The Committee discussed the need for round table discussions and community feedback in connection with the development of a National Children's Agenda.

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The Community Services Committee reports, for the information of Council, also having had before it a communication (undated) from Councillor Olivia Chow, Child and Youth Advocate, reporting on the recent Board meeting of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the issues of concern to the City of Toronto; and recommending that:

(1)the FCM Budget submission to the Federal government be received for information.

(2)the City of Toronto reiterate its support for the federal firearms control legislation, and that this support be communicated to the Federal Justice Minister and the Solicitor General of Canada, and to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM);

(3)staff complete the survey regarding the establishment of a Local Crime Prevention Council and explore federal funding sources in support of Council's work on safe community initiatives; and

(4)various existing policies and initiatives on prostitution be collected and sent to the December board meeting of FCM for discussion.