This report requests authority to negotiate and enter into a Sole Source Agreement with Motorola Canada Ltd. for the supply and delivery of Public Safety tier two-way radio equipment, accessories, parts, and services to be used by Toronto Fire Services and Toronto Emergency Medical Services Divisions to maintain their current critical communications capabilities.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee received, for information, the report (April 13, 2009) from the General Manager, Long-Term Care Homes and Services, and the General Manager, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism.

The International Federation on Ageing (IFA) is an international, non-government organization whose mission is “to generate positive social change for older people by stimulating, collecting, analyzing and disseminating information on rights, policies and practices that improve the quality of life for all persons as they age”.  The mission is achieved through strategic plans and partnerships that respond directly to the United Nations Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (2002) and the Active Ageing Framework of the World Health Organization.

IFA was formed in 1973 to represent the needs of a global ageing population and remains the only membership-based organization that operates across all sectors, comprising government, non-government organizations (NGO), private sector, academia, researchers and individuals.  It is unique globally in the field of ageing and seniors.  Through NGO membership, IFA represents 45 million older adults in 62 countries.  Its grassroots partnerships aim to strengthen bridges between public and private sectors concerned with ageing issues.  Governed by an International Board of Directors of thirty (30) people, IFA has working agreements with the World Health Organization and the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the Council of Europe in the European Union.  It is represented at the United Nations in New York, Bangkok and Geneva.

Most recently headquartered in Montreal, Quebec and planning to relocate, IFA undertook a year-long global exploration of possible cities.  Recognizing the merits of having IFA located in Toronto, the Long-Term Care Homes and Services Division and the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Division determined a high degree of interest and support from healthcare, ageing and academic organizations and collaborated to inform IFA about the benefits of a Toronto location.  IFA has now relocated here.  This report summarizes facts and opportunities related to IFA’s presence in Toronto.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee received, for information, the report (April 26, 2009) from the General Manager, Long-Term Care Homes and Services.

Population aging and urbanization are key global trends that shape society and public policy.  The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes that older persons are resources for their families, communities and economies when provided with enabling living environments.  WHO also recognizes that active aging is a lifelong process shaped by a number of factors that influence health, participation and security in later life.

At the World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics in 2005, WHO initiated a research project that resulted in the development of a Global Age-Friendly Cities Guide, intended to engage global communities in becoming more age-friendly and tapping the potential that older people represent.  Working with groups in thirty-three (33) communities in all WHO regions, WHO asked older people to identify attributes and barriers experienced in day-to-day life.  The outcome of the research resulted in an age-friendly communities model based on eight (8) policy domains that are considered necessary to support active aging:  (i) outdoor spaces and buildings; (ii) transportation; (iii) housing; (iv) social participation; (v) respect and social inclusion; (vi) civic participation and employment; (vii) communication and information; and (viii) community and health services.

Age-friendly communities benefit people of all ages.  They encourage active aging by optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age.  In practical terms, they adapt their structures, policies, processes and services to be accessible and inclusive for older people with varying needs and capacities.

An inter-divisional staff work group has met and has initiated a plan for beginning community engagement about the age-friendly communities’ model.  This report provides a summary of the model, current City strengths and intended next steps.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee deferred consideration of the report (April 23, 2009) from the General Manager, Children's Services, until its next meeting to be held on June 11, 2009.

A report on attendance policies and procedures in municipally operated child care centres was requested by Councillor Frances Nunziata at CD23.6 as a result of an incident at Hollis Resource Child Care Centre, a municipally operated child care centre in Ward 11, York South-Weston. The report includes information on the Division’s attendance policies and procedures, and the actions taken to ensure the policies and procedures are followed.

Councillor Nunziata requesting that the Community Development and Recreation Committee defer consideration of this item until the next meeting so that she can have an opportunity to speak to address the Committee.

This report responds to the Tenant Defence Sub-Committee’s request to assess the feasibility of the City providing a special grant to assist five tenants of a unit at 50 Rosehill Avenue in the defence against their landlord’s appeal to the Divisional Court.  The appeal arises from a Landlord and Tenant Board ruling that the provision of a common recreational facility was permanently reduced and the tenants were entitled to a rent reduction.  The landlord disagrees and has filed an appeal to the Divisional Court.

The City has been requested to provide a grant of up to $10,000 to help the tenants pay costs, if any, which may be ordered by the Court if the tenants’ defence against the landlord’s appeal is not successful.  This report recommends providing a grant of up to $10,000 to assist the tenants on the basis that it could be precedent setting for tenants where infill development is occurring.

The Graffiti Transformation Investment Program (GT) is an annual funding program within the Community Partnership and Investment Program (CPIP) budget. The program addresses youth unemployment and neighbourhood beautification by enabling local organizations to hire youth to remove graffiti and resurface walls with attractive murals. This report provides an overview of the GT program and makes recommendations for 2009 allocations. The report also recommends that GT be reclassified as a Partnership program within CPIP to reflect the ongoing nature of funding provided to community organizations and the need for ongoing program development by the participating organizations.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee received, for information, the report (April 24, 2009) from the General Manager, Employment and Social Services.

Quality assurance standards continue to be an integral part of how Toronto Employment and Social Services (TESS) is informed on service quality and how it is making a difference on the lives of people.  As the City division responsible for the planning and management of employment services, financial benefits and social supports to vulnerable residents of Toronto, including the delivery of the provincially mandated Ontario Works (OW) program, TESS is committed to strengthening accountability through performance reporting and service improvements.  To achieve this, TESS is continuing to develop internal controls, review existing processes and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

This report highlights initiatives the division has undertaken to strengthen quality assurance and enhance service as well as provides updated information on three areas previously reported on; program management, client supports and program integrity.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee referred the letter (March 30, 2009) from the Children's Services Advisory Committee to the Medical Officer of Health for consideration.

The Children's Services Advisory Committee on March 30, 2009, considered a member motion from Fiona Nelson respecting the food security and nutritional needs of children.