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City of Toronto Council and Committees |
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All Council and Committee documents are available from the City of Toronto Clerk's office. Please e-mail clerk@toronto.ca.
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THE CITY OF TORONTO
Clerk's Department
Minutes of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee
Thursday, May 21, 1998
The Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee met on Thursday, May 21, 1998, in
Committee Room A, 2nd Floor, Metro Hall, Toronto, commencing at 9:40 a.m.
Members Present:
Councillor Gordon Chong, Chair
Councillor Elizabeth Brown
Councillor Raymond Cho
Councillor Olivia Chow
Councillor Rob Davis
Councillor Michael Feldman
Councillor John Filion
Councillor Joan King
Councillor Chris Korwin-Kuczynski
Councillor Michael Prue
Regrets:
Mayor Mel Lastman
Councillor George Mammoliti
Confirmation of Minutes.
On motion by Councillor Chow, the Minutes of the meeting of the Community
and Neighbourhood Services Committee held on April 23, 1998, were
confirmed.
66. Health and Safety Allocations for Hostels.
The Committee had before it a report (April 27, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community
and Neighbourhood Services recommending that:
(1) the Department of Community and Neighbourhood Services be authorized to administer
100 percent Provincial funds to hostels for minor capital needs;
(2) the following allocations totalling $70,813.95 be approved;
Shelter Amount
(1) Redwood $ 9,220.75
(heating upgrades, camera)
(2) WoodGreen - The Pines 9,250.00
(5 flushometers, shower upgrades)
(3) WoodGreen - Lawrence 23,596.39
(major plumbing, heating, electrical work)
(4) Fred Victor Women's Shelter 1,432.00
(security camera)
(5) Native Men's Residence 10,314.80
(kitchen upgrades)
(6) Parkdale Recovery Inc. 17,000.00
(building upgrades) _________
Total $70,813.95
(3) 80 percent of these amounts be advanced to the hostels as soon as required, with
the remaining 20 percent released after the work is completed and appropriate
expenditure documents have been submitted; and
(4) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary
action to give effect thereto.
On motion by Councillor Chow, the Committee recommended to Council the
adoption of the aforementioned report.
(Clause No. 3, Report No. 5)
67. True Davidson Acres Home for the Aged -
Three-Year Accreditation Award.
The Committee had before it a communication (May 4, 1998) from the City Clerk advising
that the Advisory Committee on Homes for the Aged on May 1, 1998, had before it a report
from the General Manager, Homes for the Aged, indicating that the accreditation survey for
True Davidson Acres by the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation was carried
out from January 18-20, 1998, and that the Home received a three-year award.
On motion by Councillor Prue, the Committee received the aforementioned
communication, and expressed its congratulations to the staff, the Home
Advisory Committee, and volunteers at True Davidson Acres.
(Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services; General Manager,
Homes for the Aged; Administrator, True Davidson Acres - May 21, 1998)
(Clause No. 4(c), Report No. 5)
68. Purchase of Ontario Hydro Property -
Maxwell Street.
The Committee had before it a communication (May 11, 1998) from the City Clerk advising
that North York Community Council on May 6, 1998, concurred in a motion by
Councillor Howard Moscoe, North York Spadina, respecting the purchase of Ontario Hydro
property on Maxwell Street, and wherein it recommended that:
(1) staff of the Parks and Recreation Department, North York Civic Centre, be
requested to contact Ontario Hydro immediately to indicate a desire to enter into
discussions with respect to the purchase of the subject property;
(2) if negotiations proceed to a conclusion, a further report be submitted to Council
through the appropriate Standing Committee seeking approval to expend funds; and
(3) the appropriate City officials take the necessary action to give effect thereto.
On motion by Councillor Feldman, the Committee referred the aforementioned
communication to the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and
Tourism for a report thereon to the Corporate Services Committee following
negotiations with Ontario Hydro.
(Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism;
Councillor Howard Moscoe, North York Spadina - May 21, 1998)
(Clause No. 4(d), Report No. 5)
69. Toronto District School Board - Pressures Resulting
from Provincial Restructuring of Education Finance.
The Committee had before it a communication (April 6, 1998) from Mr. John Davies, Director
- Executive Council, Toronto District School Board, requesting the opportunity to appear
before the Committee to discuss a number of issues resulting from the Provincial
restructuring of education finance which have created considerable pressure on the ability
of school boards to deliver services to the community.
The Committee also had before it a communication (May 19, 1998) from the City Clerk
advising that the Children s Action Committee recommended:
(1) that Council request the Toronto School Boards to place a moratorium on evictions
of child care centres and family resource centres until the completion of the
policy review processes by the School Boards; and
(2) that Council request the Minister of Education to re-examine the funding formula
in light of the negative impacts on children s services.
Ms. Gail Nyberg, Chair, and Mr. John Davies, Director - Executive Council, Toronto
District School Board, appeared before the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee
in connection with the foregoing matter, and submitted a brief in regard thereto.
Councillor Cho, at the meeting of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee on
May 21, 1998, declared his interest in the foregoing matter, in that he is a teacher on
leave of absence from the Toronto District School Board.
Councillor Chow moved that:
(1) the Committee recommend to Council the adoption of the
recommendations of the Children s Action Committee contained in the
communication (May 19, 1998) from the City Clerk, subject to
amending Recommendation No. (2) to read as follows:
(2) that Council request the Provincial Minister of Education
and the Minister of Community and Social Services to re-
examine the education funding formula and the complete
withdrawal of child care capital dollars in light of the
negative impacts on children s services. ;
(2) the aforementioned communication and brief from the Toronto
District School Board be referred to the Commissioner of Community
and Neighbourhood Services and Commissioner of Economic
Development, Culture and Tourism with a request that they:
(a) obtain from the Toronto District School Board the following
information:
(i) the number of leases and permits for child care
centres, recreational and community uses;
(ii) the actual and projected enrolment (or change in
class size) in each school that may result in
eviction of child care centres and/or other
community uses;
(iii) the actual cost to serve these child care centres
and/or other community uses; and
(iv) the amount of space used versus the space funded
under the new funding formula; and
(b) report jointly thereon to the June 18, 1998, meeting of the
Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee.
Councillor Korwin-Kuczynski moved that part (2) of the foregoing motion by
Councillor Chow be amended to provide that the report requested includes
the impact on non-profit groups using school facilities.
Councillor King moved that part (2) of the foregoing motion by
Councillor Chow be amended to provide that the report requested includes
the following:
(i) the anticipated increase in fees for recreation programs operating
in the schools; and
(ii) a response from the Ministry of Community and Social Services
indicating whether it would be willing to provide its share of the
existing funding formula should the City of Toronto s costs
increase for the subsidized school-based child care spaces.
Councillor Chong appointed Councillor Feldman Acting Chair and vacated the Chair.
Councillor Chong resumed the Chair.
Upon the question of the adoption of the foregoing motion by
Councillor King, it was carried.
Upon the question of the adoption of the foregoing motion by
Councillor Korwin-Kuczynski, amending part (2) of the foregoing motion by
Councillor Chow, it was carried.
Upon the question of the adoption of the foregoing motion by
Councillor Chow, as amended, it was carried.
The following is a summary of the action taken by the Committee:
The Committee:
(1) recommended to Council the adoption of the recommendations of the Children s
Action Committee contained in the communication (May 19, 1998) from the City
Clerk, subject to amending Recommendation No. (2) to read as follows:
(2) that Council request the Provincial Minister of Education and the Minister
of Community and Social Services to re-examine the education funding
formula and the complete withdrawal of child care capital dollars in light
of the negative impacts on children s services. ;
(2) referred the aforementioned communication and brief from the Toronto District
School Board to the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services and
Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism with a request that
they:
(a) obtain from the Toronto District School Board the following information:
(i) the number of leases and permits for child care centres,
recreational and community uses;
(ii) the actual and projected enrolment (or change in class size) in
each school that may result in eviction of child care centres
and/or other community uses;
(iii) the actual cost to serve these child care centres and/or other
community uses; and
(iv) the amount of space used versus the space funded under the new
funding formula; and
(b) report jointly thereon to the June 18, 1998, meeting of the Community and
Neighbourhood Services Committee, such report to include:
(i) the impact on non-profit groups using school facilities;
(ii) the anticipated increase in fees for recreation programs operating
in the schools; and
(iii) a response from the Ministry of Community and Social Services
indicating whether it would be willing to provide its share of the
existing funding formula should the City of Toronto s costs
increase for the subsidized school-based child care spaces.
(Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services; Commissioner of
Economic Development, Culture and Tourism; Mr. John Davies, Director -
Executive Council, Toronto District School Board - May 21, 1998)
(Clause No. 2, Report No. 5)
70. Presentation by the Toronto District Health Council.
The Committee had before it a communication (April 20, 1998) from Mr. Lorne Zon, Executive
Director, Toronto District Health Council (TDHC), requesting the opportunity to brief the
Committee on the following issues:
- Mandate and accountability of the TDHC;
- Long Term Care Planning;
- Mental Health Services Planning;
- Hospital Restructuring;
- Homeless Task Force; and
- Community Services Inventory.
Mr. Lorne Zon appeared before the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee in
connection with the foregoing matter.
The Committee received the aforementioned communication and presentation.
(Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services; Mr. Lorne Zon,
Executive Director, Toronto District Health Council - May 21, 1998)
(Clause No. 4(a), Report No. 5)
71. Response to Client Inquiries, Issues and
Complaints in Social Services.
The Committee had before it a report (April 30, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community
and Neighbourhood Services describing how the Social Services Division responds to client
inquiries, issues and problems related to the determination of eligibility or
entitlements, including client complaints about service quality, staff conduct, and
eligibility decisions, in working with the Division to address client issues; and
recommending that the report be received for information.
The Committee also had before it a communication (May 20, 1998) from Mr. Denis Casey,
Acting President, Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 79, respecting the CUPE
Local 79 members working on the front-lines as Social Services Caseworkers and the impact
on these workers resulting from the introduction of the new Ontario Works Program.
The following persons appeared before the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee
in connection with the foregoing matter:
- Mr. John Clarke, Ontario Coalition Against Poverty; and submitted a copy of Who s
Cheating Who? An Inquiry into the abuse of the poor by the welfare system
conducted by the Ontario Coalition Against Proverty (OCAP) ; and
- Ms. Sue Collis, Ontario Coalition Against Proverty, on behalf of Mr. Roddy Gangoo.
Councillor King moved that the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood
Services meet with officials from the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty to
discuss ways in which the Department and OCAP can work together to address
issues of concern with respect to the service delivery system, and report
thereon to the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee.
Councillor Chow moved that:
(1) the report from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood
Services and the communication from the Acting President, Canadian
Union of Public Employees, Local 79 be received;
(2) the OCAP document entitled Who s Cheating Who? be referred to the
Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services for a report
thereon to the Committee;
(3) a sub-committee be established to review the Ontario Works Program
Regulations; and
(4) the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services be
requested to provide the Community and Neighbourhood Services
Committee with an annual report on the Client Services and
Information Unit, the number of calls received and resolution of
these calls, the intervention strategies, and any systemic changes
of delivery method as a result of these inquiries.
Councillor Chong appointed Councillor Feldman Acting Chair, and vacated the Chair in order
to speak to the foregoing matter.
Councillor Chong resumed the Chair.
The Chair suggested that part (3) of the foregoing motion by Councillor Chow be considered
with the item on the agenda, headed Analysis of Impacts of Ontario Works Regulations .
The Committee concurred in the foregoing suggestion.
Upon the question of the adoption of parts (1), (2) and (4) of the
foregoing motion by Councillor Chow, they were carried.
Upon the question of the adoption of the foregoing motion by
Councillor King, it was carried.
The following is a summary of the action taken by the Committee:
The Committee received the aforementioned report from the Commissioner of Community and
Neighbourhood Services and the communication from the Acting President, Canadian Union of
Public Employees, Local 79; and further:
(1) referred the OCAP document, entitled Who s Cheating Who? to the Commissioner of
Community and Neighbourhood Services with a request that she meet with officials
from the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty to discuss ways in which the Department
and OCAP can work together to address issues of concern with respect to the
service delivery system, and report thereon to the Community and Neighbourhood
Services Committee; and
(2) directed that the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services be
requested to provide the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee with an
annual report on the Client Services and Information Unit, the number of calls
received and resolution of these calls, the intervention strategies, and any
systemic changes of delivery method as a result of theses inquiries.
(Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services; Mr. John Clarke,
Ontario Coalition Against Poverty; c. General Manager, Social Services
Division - May 21, 1998)
(Clause No. 4(b), Report No. 5)
72. Analysis of Impact of Ontario Works Regulations.
The Committee had before it a report (May 11, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community and
Neighbourhood Services providing an analysis of the immediate impacts related to the
introduction of the new Ontario Works Act regulations, and a description of the Federal
National Child Benefit Supplement to be introduced in July 1998; and recommending that:
(1) Council express its concerns to the Minister of Community and Social Services as
they pertain to the negative impact of the regulations of Ontario Works on youth,
dependent families, low income families, and individuals with special needs, as
described in this report;
(2) the Chair of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee seek a meeting
with the Minister to discuss these concerns and seek the Minister s response to
the recommendations contained in this report to remedy the problems;
(3) this report be forwarded to the Ministers of Community and Social Services and
Health; and
(4) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary
action to give effect thereto.
The Committee also had before it communications from the following in connection with the
foregoing matter:
- (May 20, 1998) from Mr. Denis Casey, Acting President, Canadian Union of Public
Employees, Local 79, in support of the recommendations embodied in the foregoing
report of the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services;
- (May 20, 1998) from Ms. Jill Barber, Referral Coordinator, Metro Toronto Movement
for Literacy, outlining concerns with respect to the Ontario Works Regulations;
and
- (May 21, 1998) from Mr. Farid Chaharlangi, Community Development Worker,
Jane/Finch Community and Family Centre, outlining concerns with respect to the
Ontario Works Regulations.
The following persons appeared before the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee
in connection with the foregoing matter:
- Ms. Liz Klassen, on behalf of Toronto Legal Clinic;
- Mr. Keith Hambly, Fred Victor Centre;
- Ms. Catherine Hill, tenant of Fred Victor Centre;
- Ms. Karen Wirsig, Metro Network for Social Justice, and submitted a brief in
regard thereto;
- Mr. George Panagapka, Mental Health and Addictions Action Coalition, and submitted
a brief in regard thereto; and
- Mr. Tim Rourke, and submitted a brief in regard thereto.
The Committee recessed for lunch at 12:29 p.m.
The Committee reconvened at 2:15 p.m.
Members Present:
Councillor Gordon Chong, Chair
Councillor Elizabeth Brown
Councillor Raymond Cho
Councillor Olivia Chow
Councillor Rob Davis
Councillor John Filion
Councillor Joan King
Councillor Chris Korwin-Kuczynski
Councillor Michael Prue
The Committee resumed consideration of the report dated May 11, 1998, from the
Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services headed Analysis of Impacts of
Ontario Works Regulations , and resumed hearing deputations in regard thereto:
- Ms. Angela Robertson, Community Social Planning Council of Toronto, and submitted
a brief in regard thereto;
- Mr. Andrew Mitchell, Workfare Watch Project, and submitted a brief in regard
thereto;
- Mr. Denis Casey, Acting President, and Mr. Tim Maguire, Metro Unit Officer,
Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 79;
- Ms. Magaly San Martin and Ms. Mary Gellatly, Parkdale Community Legal Services;
and
- Ms. Josephine Grey, Executive Director, Low Income Families Together.
Councillor King moved that the Committee recommend to Council:
(1) the adoption of the report dated (May 11, 1998) from the
Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services; and
(2) that a copy of the report of the Commissioner of Community and
Neighbourhood Services be forwarded to the Association of
Municipalities of Ontario with a request that the AMO Board of
Directors develop a strong municipal position for submission to,
and the support of, the Association at its Annual General Meeting
in August 1998.
Councillor Chow moved that:
(i) the Committee recommend to Council that staff not implement any of
the regulations which force family members apart until the Chair of
the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee has reported on
the outcome of his meetings with the Minister of Community and
Social Services.
(ii) a sub-committee be established, comprised of Councillors Chow and
Korwin-Kuczynski, to review the Ontario Works Program Regulations;
and
(iii) the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services be
requested to report directly to Council for its meeting on
June 3, 1998, on how the City would be able to:
(a) continue the drug deductible for working parents;
(b) continue to transfer the National Child Tax Benefit to
low-income parents;
(c) continue to cover the 25 percent or the extra cost for items
that are applicable under Special Assistance and
Supplementary Aid; and
(d) continue to cover the Back to School and Winter Clothing
Allowance for Youth.
Councillor Chong appointed Councillor Prue Acting Chair and vacated the Chair in order to
speak to the foregoing matter.
The Chair verbally provided an update on his recent meeting with the Provincial Minister
of Community and Social Services and Mr. Frank Klees.
Councillor Chong resumed the Chair.
Upon the question of the adoption of the foregoing motion by
Councillor King, it was carried.
Upon the question of the adoption of the foregoing motion by
Councillor Chow, it was carried.
The following is a summary of the action taken by the Committee:
The Committee:
(i) recommended to Council:
(1) the adoption of the report dated (May 11, 1998) from the Commissioner of
Community and Neighbourhood Services;
(2) that staff not implement any of the regulations which force family members
apart until the Chair of the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee
has reported on the outcome of his meetings with the Minister of Community
and Social Services; and
(3) that a copy of the report of the Commissioner of Community and
Neighbourhood Services be forwarded to the Association of Municipalities of
Ontario with a request that the AMO Board of Directors develop a strong
municipal position for submission to, and the support of, the Association
at its Annual General Meeting in August 1998;
(ii) established a sub-committee, comprised of Councillors Chow and Korwin-Kuczynski,
to review the Ontario Works Program Regulations; and
(iii) requested the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services to report
directly to Council for its meeting on June 3, 1998, on how the City would be able
to:
(a) continue the drug deductible for working parents;
(b) continue to transfer the National Child Tax Benefit to low-income parents;
(c) continue to cover the 25 percent or the extra cost for items that are
applicable under Special Assistance and Supplementary Aid; and
(d) continue to cover the Back to School and Winter Clothing Allowance for
Youth.
(Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services; Councillor Olivia
Chow, Downtown; Councillor Chris Korwin-Kuczynski, High Park; c.
General Manager, Social Services Division - May 21, 1998)
(Clause No. 1, Report No. 5)
The Committee adjourned its meeting at 3:50 p.m.
Chair.
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