The Community Investment Committee (CIC) met on October 20, 2011, at 10:05 a.m. in the Council Chamber, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A, Brampton.

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* See text for arrivals
¨See text for departures

Councillor E. Moore presided.

1. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST - Nil

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

RECOMMENDATION CIC-7-2011:

That the agenda for the October 20, 2011 Community Investment Committee meeting be approved.

3. DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS - Nil

4. REPORTS

a) 2012 Community Investment Recommendations
Presentation by Sandra Solonik, Advisor, Community Investment

Received

RECOMMENDATION CIC-8-2011:

That the recommendations regarding Caledon Meals on Wheels Diabetes Education Program and the Safe City Mississauga Aspire Program as described in Appendix I to the report of the Commissioner of Human Services, dated October 11, 2011, titled “2012 Community Investment Recommendations” be referred to staff for a follow-up report and recommendation to be considered by Regional Council during 2012 budget deliberations;  

And further, that the remaining 2012 Community Investment Fund budget recommendations, to be included within the Human Services 2012 Budget recommendation to Regional Council, as described in Appendix I to the subject report, be approved.

A copy of the presentation is available from the office of the Regional Clerk.

Janet Menard, Commissioner of Human Services, introduced the presentation as information that will help to inform Council about issues such as community capacity building and how it is of upmost importance to all funding recommendations staff will make in regards to community investment. She noted a primary recommendation for funding increases for the coming year to be limited to a cost-of-living of 2 per cent which mirrors a similar approach being taken by the United Way in their community investment plans.

Sandra Solonik, Advisor, Community Investment, then outlined the presentation accompanying the report. She noted successes in the Peel community such as a diverse and large community, charitable, and non-profit sector spread across the three area municipalities that partner and collaborate with the Region on an ongoing basis. She emphasized continuing to use an outcome based approach to the evaluation of funding requests, as well as, encouraging collaboration wherever possible. She also noted challenges such as finding adequate space for community partners to use, and continuing to work with partners on results-based accountability centred on collection of increased and more complex data from those most in need of going forward.

Regional Chair Kolb asked if Region of Peel staff had any information on the rate of suicides and attempted suicides of young people in the Region that could be made available as a future recommendation for funding groups involved in suicide prevention. David Szwarc, Chief Administrative Officer, responded that staff could take this as direction to do the necessary research in this area and come with a report on the issue. Councillor Moore added that staff should communicate with the local school boards when looking for information on how this specifically affects Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered (LGBT) and gifted students as the most at-risk groups and determine what strategies are already in place. Sandra Solonik noted that the Ministry of Youth Services may be preparing funding for youth councillor positions that the Region of Peel may be able to partner with, and she undertook to approach the Ministry as part of this research.

Councillor Foley requested that the Caledon Meals on Wheels’ Diabetes Education Program could be given further consideration during the budget process given that the Central West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) has decided not to fund it this coming year. David Szwarc suggested the related recommendation be referred back to the Health Services Department for their input on the effectiveness of funding this program and bring the request back to Council during 2012 budget deliberations for a final recommendation.

Councillor McFadden asked if Safe City Mississauga’s Aspire Program could also be referred back to staff for a second analysis based on meeting with representatives from Safe City Mississauga. The meeting would attempt to find a compromise on funding before bringing it back to Council during 2012 budget deliberations for final consideration.

b) Homelessness Partnering Strategy 2011-2014 Funding Recommendations
Presentation by Sandra Solonik, Advisor, Community Investment

Received

RECOMMENDATION CIC-9-2011:

That the funding recommendations made by the Homelessness Partnering Strategy Community Advisory Board as described in Appendix I to the report of the Commissioner of Human Services, dated September 8, 2011, titled “Homelessness Partnering Strategy 2011-2014 Funding Recommendations”, be approved; 

And further, that the Region’s duly authorized signing officers be authorized to execute agreements with community agencies approved for funding, and other documents that may be required to participate in the Homelessness Partnering Strategy;

And further, that the unallocated funds of $108,272.50 be referred back to the Community Advisory Board for recommendations on the distribution of the funds in a report to come back to Regional Council for consideration.

A copy of the presentation is available from the office of the Regional Clerk.

Janet Menard, Commissioner of Human Services, explained the report needed a minor revision of clarification. She stated that even though there is no appeal process to the Community Advisory Board (CAB) regarding its decisions by proponents of their funding, Council can refer the recommendation back to the CAB for revisions, if need be. She added that it will be Regional Council’s recommendation on the funding that goes back to Service Canada.

Sandra Solonik, Advisor, Community Investment, noted the hard work undertaken by the CAB members in reviewing the original 32 applications for funding and recommending funding for 14, totalling $2,056,093, leaving $108,272.50 unallocated.

Regional Chair Kolb inquired if staff had any statistics on the total number of homeless people currently living in Peel. Janet Menard replied that staff could put together an estimate from the outreach teams in the Region of Peel and bring back a report to Regional Council during 2012 budget deliberations.

Councillor Foley added that studies and workshops have recently been completed by Caledon Community Services that suggest one of the strongest indicators of homelessness are for those people who are not homeless now, but find themselves in a troubling situation like a recent break-up, loss of employment, or mental illness. She requested the report include consideration as to what Caledon’s fair share of funding would be in regards to these issues.

c) Update on the Human Services Revolving Capital Fund

Received

5 . COMMUNICATIONS - Nil

6. IN CAMERA MATTERS - Nil

7. OTHER BUSINESS - Nil

8. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Community Investment Committee is scheduled for Thursday, May 3, 2012, at 9:30 a.m., Council Chamber, 5th floor, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A, Brampton, Ontario.

Please forward regrets to Curtiss Law, Legislative Specialist, (905) 791-7800, ext. 4330 or at curtiss.law@peelregion.ca.

9. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 10:57 a.m.