The Aboriginal Affairs Committee had before it background material that was reviewed by the Sub-Committee on the City of Toronto Urban Aboriginal Framework Aboriginal Affairs Committee.  The materials contained:

1.         Timetable/workplan;

2           Draft Consultation questions;

3.         Consultation Plan;

4.         Compilation of materials from other cities; and Statement of Commitment from Toronto Police Services;

5.          For Reference – City Manager's Report (May 2009) regarding the development of the strategy.

Due to the lack of Quorum on February 17, 2010, the item is before the Aboriginal Affairs Committee for consideration.

On February 17, 2010, Suzanne Field, Strategic and Corporate Policy, gave a progress report on the City of Toronto's Urban Aboriginal Framework.  Suzanne was looking for assistance to help with the consultation process.  Seven Focus Groups have been established, 2 – with Aboriginal Community's at-large; 2 – with Aboriginal Organizations /Academic/Research areas; 2 – with City of Toronto staff; and 1 – with other levels of government. TTC tokens will be given out to those attending the Focus Groups.  Child Care reimbursement will be given to those that attend the Focus Groups.

Due to the lack of Quorum on February 17, 2010, the item is before the Aboriginal Affairs Committee for consideration.

On February 17, 2010, the Aboriginal Affairs Committee requested that the following items be on future agendas:

1.         Invitation of Fiona Crean, Ombudsman City of Toronto, to inform the Committee of her role and responsibilities for the City of Toronto.

2.         Invitation to Barbara Shulman, Director, Staffing, Compensation and Employment Equity, Human Resources to inform the Committee of the hiring and programs for the Aboriginal Community.

3.         Update from Phil Brown, General Manager, Shelter, Housing and Support, Community and Neighbourhood Services.

4.         Larry Frost asked for information on what the Aboriginal Affairs Committee has accomplished in this last Term of Council.

5.         Kim Murray asked about the possibility of Aboriginal representation on the TTC Bill of Rights Panel for riders. She will draft a letter from the Community and a letter will be prepared from the Chair, Aboriginal Affairs Committee, for the Toronto Transit Commission.

6.         It was suggested that Arthur Beauregard from Parks, Forestry and Recreation also be invited to attend a meeting of the Committee.

Due to the lack of Quorum on February 17, 2010, the item is before the Aboriginal Affairs Committee for consideration.

Seeking endorsement and approval of the Schedule of Meetings and Work Plan.

Requesting members of the Aboriginal Affairs Committee to submit names of appropriate athletes in recognition of a First Nation's Athlete for the Naming of an Sport Field.

Due to the lack of Quorum on February 17, 2010, the item is before the Aboriginal Affairs Committee for consideration.

Requesting members of the Aboriginal Affairs Committee to submit names of appropriate athletes in recognition of a First Nation's Athlete for the Naming of an Sport Field.

On February 17, 2010 the Aboriginal Affairs Committee reported on the following:

Native Earth Performing Arts - Isidra Cruz, informed the Committee of an upcoming Opera performance, staring Maria Newman and Gilbert Anderson; titled, Giiwedin, to be held at Theatre Passe Muraille, 16 Ryerson Avenue from April 8 - 24, 2010.

Native Women's Resource Centre - Sharon MacAlpine, informed the Committee that the Centre has a new George Brown Course that runs Mondays and Tuesdays on Speaking Groups. The course is called Pontiac's Daughters.

Native Canadian Centre of Toronto - Larry Frost, informed the Committee of First Nations History Month being held June 1, 2010.  The kickoff event is June 1 at Dundas Square.

Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto - Kimberly Murray, informed the Committee that they are having their 20th Anniversary on February 20, 2010.

Native Child and Family Services of Toronto - Kenn Richard, informed the Committee that the organization was having financial problems; and that it has been resolved for the moment, but is not a permanent solution. Stated that 1 in 10 children are in foster care, and the good news is 9 - 10 go back home; although more work is needed.

Manager of Diversity Management for the City of Toronto - Ceta Ramkhalawansingh asked that nominations be submitted for the Human Rights Award. Deadline - May 3, 2010.

Due to the lack of Quorum on February 17, 2010, the item is before the Aboriginal Affairs Committee for consideration.

Chief Brian Laforme and Margaret Sault, of the Mississaugas of The New Credit, gave a video and verbal presentation on the Proposed Settlement of the Toronto Purchase Land Claim.

The intent of the presentation was to inform the members of the Aboriginal Affairs Committee of the process involved and the steps taken by the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation to secure a fair and just settlement for the Toronto Purchase Specific Claim.

The Committee had before it the following booklets, which are on file with the City Clerk's Office.

1.         Mississaugas of The New Credit – Past and Present;

2.         Toronto Purchase Specific Claim – Arriving at an agreement.

The ratification vote is scheduled for May 29, 2010.

Phil Brown, General Manager of Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, gave a verbal update on "Funding to End Aboriginal Homelessness in the City of Toronto".  He informed the Committee of the 5 projects that have been approved from Federal Funds.

1.         1 million $  -  Renovations at Native Women's Resource Centre at 191 Gerrard Street.

2.         $ 28,000  -  Renovations at Anishawbe Health Centre – 179 Gerrard Street

3.         1.25 million $ - Renovations  at Native Men's Residence (Na-Me-Res) – 14 Vaughn Road

4.         $ 21,000 – Renovations at Native Child and Family Services - 558 Bathurst Street

5.         $ 56,000 – Renovations at Native Child and Family Services – Dowling Avenue.

The Province is still to respond. They are working on a 10-year affordable housing project, which is to start next spring, early summer.

The Committee requested that Phil Brown, report back to the committee when the Street Needs Assessment 2009 survey results are available.  The web-links will be provided.

Barbara Shulman, Director, Staffing, Compensation and Employment Equity, gave a power-point presentation on "Advancing Employment Equity for Aboriginal Employees at the City of Toronto.

An Overview:

The City of Toronto is committed to a policy of fairness and equity in employment and services recognizing its obligations and responsibilities as an employer as well as its leadership role in the community.  The citizens of Toronto are best served by a public service that reflects the diversity of the community which it serves.

Human Resources has taken action to advance employment equity for four designated groups: Aboriginal Peoples, Women Visible Minorities and Persons with Disabilities. 

The Committee thanked Ramsey Kane, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, for the work he has been doing in getting city job availability information out to the Aboriginal Organizations.

Fiona Crean, Ombudsman, City of Toronto gave a verbal presentation on the role and responsibilities of the Office of the Ombudsman.

The Aboriginal Affairs Committee had before it the following materials on the Office of the Ombudsman.

Booklet – (December 2009) Defining Fairness – The Office of the Ombudsman and the City of Toronto Public Service, Working Together

Booklet – Containing – Report (March 2009) "Accountable and Responsive" – The Ombudsman; Annual Report 2009 – Advocating for fairness; Newsletter (March 2010) The Record, Office of the Ombudsman, City of Toronto. 

The Committee thanked Fiona Crean, Ombudsman, City of Toronto, for her presentation, and received it for information.

Sharon MacAlpine and Kenn Richard, gave a verbal update on the City of Toronto's Urban Aboriginal Framework.

The Sub-Committee will be meeting the end of April 2010, to finalize a draft of the Statement of Commitment.  The draft statement will be presented to the full Committee at a special meeting in May 2010.

Native Canadian Centre of Toronto – Larry Frost – Reminded the Committee of the First Nations History Month Kick-off, being held June 1, 2010 at Dundas Square; from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Access Centre of Excellence, George Brown College – Lori Budge – Income Gap of Aboriginal People and the rest of Canada.  Lori, to submit a copy for distribution to committee members.

Native Child and Family Services of Toronto – Kenn Richard – Official Opening of their new head office building at 30 College Street – June 17, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.

Native Women's Resource Centre - Sharon MacAlpine – Informed the committee that she is leaving the Resource Centre and will be travelling; therefore will no longer be a member of the Committee.  Thanked the Committee for knowledge gained.

National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation – Andre Morriseau– May 1, 2010 – On Global T.V. – at 9:00 p.m. – National Aboriginal Achievement Award Program.

Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation (The) – Chief Brian Laforme, stated that the Committee needed a voice, and stated that the Aboriginal Affairs Committee should have an Aboriginal Chair, with the position of the Co-Chair being the Councillor.

Ceta Ramkhalawansingh Manager of Diversity Management for the City of Toronto informed the Committee members that City Council decides the period of reviewing the Advisory Committee's Mandate of the New Council. The Committee was also informed that only Councillors can speak at City Council.

The meeting closed with prayer by George Bruce.

Also present (non-members):

Mae Maracle, Diversity Management and Community Engagement Consultant,

Ceta Ramkhalawansingh, Manager of Diversity Management for the City of Toronto,

George Bruce,

Phil Brown, General Manager of Shelter, Support and Housing,

Barbara Shulman, Director, Staffing, Compensation and Employment Equity,

Fiona Crean, Ombudsman, City of Toronto,

Margaret Sault, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation

Jane Beecroft, Spadina Library,

Edith George,

Madalaine McDonell,

Joseph Lewis,

Ramsay Kane, City of Toronto

Melanie Smith, Human Resources, City of Toronto

Joyce Parkes-Burpee, Human Resources, City of Toronto