Councillor Janet Davis requesting that the Fire Chief report through the Community Development and Recreation and Budget Committees in 2011 on the status of the Master Fire Plan, with a strategy to complete its implementation, including achieving the NFPA Standard 1710, and Communications Systems improvements, and identify any resources required for consideration in the 2011 operating and capital budgets.

Toronto Employment and Social Services (TESS) is in a unique position of dual responsibility as both Toronto's delivery agent mandated by the Province under the Ontario Works Act to administer financial benefits and employment assistance to those on social assistance as well as a city service responsible for providing accessible and critical services to unemployed and underemployed Torontonians.

Whether it is by providing support to those on assistance or to the broader residents of Toronto, TESS has a responsibility for ensuring program integrity and sound stewardship in how finances are managed and ultimately demonstrating good value for money by helping individuals secure employment.  Thus, in order to maintain this level of accountability an integral part of TESS' strategic and operational planning has been its commitment to prudent decision-making while delivering high quality services to Torontonians.  

The following report highlights the division's performance in relation to program management outcomes and service level indicators within a framework of continuous improvement to strengthen quality assurance and ensure program integrity and accountability. 

The Community Development and Recreation Committee, recommends that:

1.         Consistent with positions City Council has already taken with respect to income security, employment services and social supports, City Council endorse, in principle, the broad directions and process proposed by the Social Assistance Review Advisory Council (SARAC) for a comprehensive and timely review of Ontario's income security system.

2.         City Council request the Province of Ontario to engage and consult the City of Toronto as an order of government through the process established to review Ontario’s income security system.

3.         City Council request the Mayor and the Chair of the Community Development and Recreation Committee to write to the Minister of Community and Social Services conveying Council's position with respect to the directions and process proposed by SARAC, and urging the Province to commence the review as soon as possible and support, in principle, the short term recommendations consistent with the City’s positions and urge their implementation.

4.         City Council request the General Manager, Employment and Social Services, to report back to the Community Development and Recreation Committee on a strategy for the City of Toronto’s input, such strategy to include a strong and broad public participation.

On May 10, 2010, the Social Assistance Review Advisory Council (SARAC), a panel appointed by the government of Ontario to recommend a scope and terms of reference for reviewing Ontario's social assistance system, released Recommendations  for an Ontario Income Security Review.

Noting that Ontario Works (OW) and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) represent only 23% of all Provincial and Federal income security program spending, the SARAC Report recommends that the Province look beyond OW and ODSP and undertake a comprehensive review of the full range of Ontario's income security programs and related employment supports, including Federal programs such as Employment Insurance (EI).  The Report also recognizes that an investigation of the roles of municipalities and communities should be undertaken as part of the review.

Key recommendations put forward by SARAC with respect to changes to income security programs are consistent with positions adopted by City Council over the past several years.

This report provides a brief overview of Recommendations for an Ontario Income Security Review, identifying the major directions put forward by SARAC, as well as the steps proposed to carry out the review.  This report also reviews the changes that have been proposed to the Special Diet Allowance program by the Province based on available information.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee requested the General Manager, Toronto Employment and Social Services (TESS), to report back to the Community Development and Recreation Committee on the continuing work to improve employment services in Lawrence Heights through the development of an Employment Service Plan as part of the broader Social Development Plan for Lawrence Heights.

Responding to the recommendation made by the Community Development and Recreation Committee at their meeting on June 24, 2010, this report describes the work to date to make employment services work better for residents of Lawrence Heights, the actions underway and the steps that will be taken over the next 6 months and beyond.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee received Item CD35.5 for information.

The purpose of this report is to respond to a notice of motion concerning the Business Plan submitted by the Leaside Memorial Community Gardens Board of Management for the addition of a second ice surface at the arena.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee received Item CD35.6 for information.

Fees at City-run golf courses are established annually by City Council through the Operating Budget process, and are based on a scan of industry trends and a variety of parameters. The current fee structure provides substantial discounts for senior golfers (those aged 65 and older), ranging from 32% to 40% for weekday, 18-hole rounds, compared to a regular adult ticket.

Fee structures are assessed on an ongoing basis, and there may be opportunities to provide seniors with further savings, over and above the substantial discounts they are already entitled to. Some of these opportunities, as set out in this report, are incentives like the early-bird pilot package being recommended to Council in a companion report, and combining golf with a food and beverage package, which may be feasible through the upcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) process.

In order to qualify for the discount rates, seniors only need to show some form of verification of age such as a valid driver’s license, senior citizen’s ID card, etc.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council approve the sale by Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) of each of the five houses, as listed in Appendix A to the report (August 6, 2010) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, on the open market through the multiple listing service, in its capacity as Shareholder, pursuant to section 6.3.1(b) of the Shareholder Direction, on condition that:

a.         TCHC invests the proceeds of the sale net of reasonable transaction costs, in the renovation of existing social housing units or the creation of new units, consistent with its Housing Works Strategy as outlined in the Community Management Plan 2010-2012;

and subject to:

b.         approval from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

2.         City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to amend the TCHC Operating Agreement to adjust funding and service level obligations as a result of the sale and enter into any agreements and ancillary documentation deemed appropriate in connection with the sale of the houses on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

The purpose of this report is to request Council to consent to the sale by Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) of five single family houses, in accordance with the City’s Shareholder Direction.

TCHC’s Housing Works Strategy identified 47 houses in the single family portfolio to be sold.  In May 2010, Council consented to the sale by TCHC of 20 of these single family homes to Wigwamen Inc.  TCHC initiated a process to solicit expressions of interest in the remaining 27 single family homes from community agencies that deliver housing and support services to low-income or vulnerable populations in Toronto.  Discussions are underway between TCHC and community social agencies that have expressed an interest in acquiring 22 of the properties.  This report deals with the proposed sale on the open market of the remaining five houses, as described in Appendix A, that no agency has expressed interest in acquiring.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to enter into a contribution agreement with Service Canada or related entity for funding under a renewal of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, or any new federal homelessness funding program.

2.         City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to undertake appropriate measures to develop funding priorities for any renewal of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, or other similar federal funding program, including seeking input from community consultation, dependent on new program terms and conditions once announced and based on the proposed draft Community Plan substantially as outlined in Appendix A to the report (August 6, 2010) from the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration.

3.         Once the contribution agreement with Service Canada or related entity is in place, City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to enter into agreements with other City divisions, project sponsor agencies, and/or private expertise to deliver projects in line with the terms and conditions of the federal agreement, other than new housing development projects, which will be approved through the Affordable Housing Committee and Council.

4.         Based upon a finalized contribution agreement with Service Canada or related entity, City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to undertake appropriate measures to establish sound budgetary priorities, adjust funding among programs as required to ensure effective use of available federal funds, and seek and draw upon input from community consultation, new Council directions/priorities, or other circumstances as might occur in the future, requiring expenditure adjustments.

5.         City Council direct that any project currently funded under the Homelessness Partnership Strategy that is not completed by March 31, 2011 be approved as a priority for funding under any new contribution agreement entered into under Recommendation 1.

6.         City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to report to Committee and Council on any further implications relating to the renewal of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy or the establishment of any new federal homelessness funding program, as required.

The current federal homelessness funding through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy ends March 31, 2011.  The Government of Canada in September 2008 announced that federal housing and homelessness investments would continue through to March 31, 2014.  Confirmation as to the nature, extent or parameters of federal funding for the period 2011 to 2014 has not yet been released.

The purpose of this report is to:

a.         seek authority for the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, to enter into and administer a new contribution agreement with the federal government based on an anticipated extension to, or a replacement of, current Homelessness Partnering Strategy funding; and

b.         highlight key outcomes from the current Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) funding during the period April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2011.

This report is similar in its objectives to one approved by Council in December 2008, granting the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, authority to negotiate and administer a contribution agreement for the extension of HPS from 2009 to 2011. This report is being presented to Council at an early date in view of the upcoming municipal election and the consequent interruption of the regular meeting schedule for Council and its Committees, in order to ensure that there is no interruption in services to vulnerable clients.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:

1.         City Council direct that upon funding approval by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration (MCI), Social Development, Finance and Administration's 2010 Operating Budget be increased on a one-time basis by an amount of $87,500 gross and 0 net in 2010 and $87,500 gross and 0 net in 2011 including one temporary position for a total of $175,000 for 2010 and 2011.

2.         City Council reaffirm Toronto's motto "Diversity Our Strength" and the City’s commitment to supporting immigrants of all classes, including refugees, through the delivery and coordination of services and by working with the Ontario and federal governments to renew the trilateral agreements to provide Toronto with a strong role in serving immigrants to this City.

This report provides an update on a range of activities and issues associated with services for newcomers in the City of Toronto.  Specifically, the report includes comparative data on federal funding for settlement across provinces and territories, an update of the status of the Canada-Ontario Immigration Agreement (COIA), and an update on the implementation of the Toronto Newcomer Initiative including the value of the final agreement between the City and Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

This report also requests for Council authority to receive and spend up to $175,000 from the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration (MCI) to refresh the City’s immigration and settlement web portal.

Councillor Janet Davis advising that the Province is contemplating a modest short term program to help address housing affordability issues.  While program details, delivery arrangements and funding allocations have yet to be finalized and negotiated, these discussions will take place between the Province and municipal service managers while Committee and Council is not in session because of the upcoming election.