The Grants Ad hoc Committee (GAC) met on May 19, 2011, at 11:06 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 GAC-4-2011:

That the agenda for the May 19, 2011 Grants Ad hoc Committee meeting be amended to include an oral report from the Advisor of Community Investment titled “Specific Agency Updates”, to be dealt with under Other Business – Item 7a;

And further, that the agenda for the May 19, 2011 Grants Ad hoc Committee meeting be approved, as amended.

See also Other Business - Item 7a

3. DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS - Nil

4. REPORTS

a) Grants Ad hoc Committee Changes

RECOMMENDATION GAC-5-2011:

That the Grants Ad hoc Committee now be known as the Community Investment Committee;  

And further, that the revised Community Investment Committee Terms of Reference attached as Appendix II to the report of the Commissioner of Human Services, dated April 8, 2011, titled “Grants Ad hoc Committee Terms of Reference”, be approved;

Item 4c) was dealt with

c) Homelessness Partnering Strategy 2011-2014 Update

RECOMMENDATION GAC-6-2011:

That the funding recommendations made by the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) Community Advisory Board (CAB) for one year program extensions, to three agencies, be endorsed ;  

And further, that the the Region’s duly authorized signing officers be authorized to execute amendments to the third party legal agreements for the agencies approved for the one year program extensions;

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

Sandra Solonik, Advisor, Community Investment informed that the next round of the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) funding from Service Canada for the period of 2011 to 2014 started as of April 1, 2011. Call for application submissions has been delayed due to the Federal election process. Sandra Solonik noted that as part of the HPS program, agencies can apply for a one year transitional program extension. She explained that a Community Advisory Board (CAB) is tasked with reviewing the funding applications and making funding recommendations to Council. As part of the review period CAB takes into consideration client impact, agency capacity building, program costs and program results. Four agencies were originally recommended for the one year transitional program extension, of which one agency has declined the funding bringing the new recommended funding total for three agencies to $225,010.

Councillor Moore inquired why the agencies are being recommended for less funding than what was being requested. Sandra Solonik responded that this was largely dependant on program outcomes including client impact and agency capacity building.

b) Community Investment Fund Update
Presentation by Sandra Solonik, Advisor, Community Investment

Received

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

Sandra Solonik, Advisor, Community Investment provided an overview of the current and future priorities of the Community Investment Strategy and the Community Investment Fund. She explained that the grant program has evolved from an annual grant to the current composition which includes seven funding streams, an indication of the shifting needs of the community.

Sandra Solonik offered to meet with each Committee member to review funding trends within their community and answer any additional questions regarding the grants programs.

Councillor Fonseca congratulated staff for taking a more proactive approach and offering a facilitator to work with agencies to indentify concerns and develop clear goals. She commented that agencies need help with succession planning and defining terms of reference within the organization.

Councillor Moore thanked Sandra Solonik and Regional staff for the positive work with the various agencies. She noted that the role of the Committee has become more complex, however, the direction the Committee is taking with results based accountability is clear. Through a collaborative approach and in working together with the organizations, the Region of Peel has demonstrated its willingness to assist the organizations in achieving success. Councillor Moore suggested touching base with other Council members should they have any questions regarding agencies within their communities.

Councillor Carlson departed at 11:39 a.m.

c) Homelessness Partnering Strategy 2011-2014 Update

This item was dealt with earlier in the meeting

5 . COMMUNICATIONS - Nil

6. IN CAMERA MATTERS - Nil

7. OTHER BUSINESS

Additional Item - Item 7a

a) Specific Agency Updates (Oral)

Received

See also Approval of Agenda

Sandra Solonik, Advisor, Community Investment provided a high level overview of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) funding shifts. She stated that according to the 2006 census, immigration accounted for 49 per cent of the population in Peel. Sandra Solonik noted that the funding trend from 2010 to 2011 decreased from 70 million to 65 million, of which 30 non profit agencies benefit in Peel. The community is experiencing a negative impact when funding cuts are made because these cuts not only affect direct services, but also core operational costs. As a result, the Region of Peel has been approached by 3 organizations requesting emergency funding related to the cuts received from CIC and anticipates more requests coming forward. Staff will be making recommendations to the Commissioner of Human Services regarding funding for these organizations. As next steps, Sandra Solonik advised that staff will be meeting with CIC to discuss its funding priorities for Peel agencies and will report back the findings to Council once the full impact is evaluated. Sandra Solonik welcomed further suggestions from Committee members.

As a result of a staff direction from the May 12, 2011 Regional Council meeting, Sandra Solonik provided an update regarding funding of Safe City Mississauga’s ASPIRE program for the 2011-2012 school year. She noted that this was a service purchased through the Neighbourhood Strategy program and was not a Regional funded program. Gurpreet Malhotra, Director of Strategic Planning, Policy and Partnerships confirmed that the program will be continued to the end of the current school year and advised that staff is exploring the option to work with the agencies in order to improve community development outcomes. Gurpreet Malhotra informed that Safe City Mississauga will also be invited to apply for another year of funding.

Councillor McFadden expressed her agreement to assist Safe City Mississauga extend the ASPIRE program and thanked Regional staff for the update.

8. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Grants Ad hoc Committee is scheduled for Thursday, October 20, 2011, 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 12:01 p.m.