The Public Information Campaign (PIC) Ad Hoc Committee met on September 6, 2007, at 8:35 a.m. in the Chairman’s Boardroom, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton.

Chaired by Councillor Parrish

A quorum of voting members was not present, and in accordance with Section III-4(f) of the Region of Peel Procedural By-law 57-2006, the Public Information Campaign (PIC) Ad Hoc Committee received information.

1. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST - Nil

Items Related to Delegations/Presentations – Item 3c was discussed by the Committee

3. DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

c) Discussion Regarding Actions to Date in Phases 1 and 2 (Oral)
Discussion led by Carolyn Parrish, Chair, Public Information Campaign Ad hoc Committee (PIC)

Keith Ward, Commissioner of Human Services and General Manager of Peel Living, advised that at a recent meeting with Peter Fonseca, MPP, Mississauga East, the MPP indicated that he was impressed with the high level presentation provided by representatives of the PIC Ad Hoc Committee.

Councillor Parrish concurred that overall the meetings were well done and noted that efforts were still being made to meet with Michael Prue, New Democratic Party of Canada (NDP) Municipal Affairs Critic, Ernie Hardeman, Conservative Party of Canada (PC) Municipal Affairs Critic and a representative from the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.

Regional Chair Kolb undertook to contact Michael Prue to arrange a meeting.

Councillor Thompson arrived at 9:45 a.m.

A quorum of voting members was achieved.

The PIC Ad Hoc Committee formalized receipt of information previously received.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

RECOMMENDATION PIC-10-2007:

That the agenda for the September 6, 2007 Public Information Campaign Ad hoc Committee meeting, be approved.

3. DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

a) Discussion Regarding Actions to Date in Phase 1 of Government Relations Plan (Oral)
Discussion led by Carolyn Parrish, Chair, Public Information Campaign Ad hoc Committee (PIC)

Received

b) Discussion of Core Elements and Timing for Phase 2 (Oral)
Discussion led by Carolyn Parrish, Chair, Public Information Campaign Ad hoc Committee (PIC)

Received

c) Discussion Regarding Actions to Date in Phases 1 and 2 (Oral)
Discussion led by Carolyn Parrish, Chair, Public Information Campaign Ad hoc Committee (PIC)

Received

4. COMMUNICATIONS

a) Devon Group, Regarding the Phase 1 Status Report

Received

Bob Richardson, President, Devon Group, reviewed the activities undertaken with respect to the government relations component of the campaign. He advised that meetings had taken place with several government officials including John Gerretson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Greg Sorbara, Minister of Finance, and Madeleine Meulleur, Minister of Community and Social Services.

Bob Richardson noted that as a result of the government relations meetings, the level of awareness of issues facing Peel has been significantly raised with key decision makers. Further, in conjunction with the Peel Campaign, other municipalities and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario were helpful in securing provincial uploading of the total cost of the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Ontario Drug Benefits (ODB) for social assistance recipients.

The Devon Group suggests, at this point, proceeding with the finalization of a newsletter to be circulated to all Peel households through direct mail, using plain language to provide an overview of human services underfunding issues. In addition, the workbook used to facilitate the meetings with government decision makers will be distributed to stakeholders, media, Regional Councillors and provincial election candidates.

Councillor Parrish requested that staff email all Regional Councillors to determine how many copies of the newsletter and workbook they would want to receive for their personal distribution.

Councillor Parrish further requested that copies of the information workbook be distributed to all Regional Councillors with the Minutes of this meeting.

Councillors Parrish and Carlson undertook to distribute copies of the workbook at the Mississauga Town Hall meeting scheduled for September 19, 2007 and requested that they be provided with 500 copies by September 19, 2007.

Councillor Parrish requested that staff prepare a list of all human services agencies that should be included in the distribution of the workbook.

b) Devon Group, Regarding the Issue Briefing Document: A Fair Deal for Municipalities, the Peel Experience

Received

Bob Richardson, President, Devon Group, distributed draft copies of the newsletter that will be direct mailed to all Peel households, for review by the Ad hoc Committee.

It was noted that a statement should be included with the information regarding the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) that the program is not delivered by municipalities but is funded 100 per cent by them.

Janette Smith, Commissioner of Health Services, expressed concern that the title “A Fair Deal for Municipalities…the Peel Experience” is not catchy enough to attract the attention of readers.

Regional Chair Kolb suggested a line be added to the section on newcomers advising that Peel receives 24,000 new Canadians per year.

Committee members were requested to review the draft newsletter and submit any revisions to Marilyn Hood, Director, Communication Services.

Following a discussion regarding the timing for distributing the newsletter, the Committee concurred that targeting late September/early October would have the greatest impact.

Councillor Parrish, on behalf of the Public Information Campaign Ad hoc Committee, extended her appreciation to the Devon Group and Regional staff who have been working with the ad hoc Committee.

5. REPORTS - Nil

6. IN CAMERA MATTERS

a) Advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose

Received

7. OTHER BUSINESS - Nil

8. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE MEETINGS

Thursday, September 27, 2007, Immediately following General Committee
Regional Administrative Headquarters
Chair’s Boardroom, 5th Floor
10 Peel Centre Drive
Brampton, Ontario

The meeting recessed at 9:20 a.m.

The meeting reconvened at 9:25 a.m.

Staff raised the issue of the purchasing process with respect to the intent of the Committee. The Regional Solicitor advised that due to the associated urgency of this matter, there is an opportunity for the use of section 5.2 of the Purchasing By-law 37-2007 to approve the necessary service acquisition.

RECOMMENDATION PIC-11-2007:

Whereas due to the urgent need to secure print and delivery services for the Public Information Campaign Ad hoc Committee Public Communication;

Therefore be it resolved, that pursuant to section 5.2 of Purchasing By-law 37-2007, the Chair of the Public Information Campaign Ad hoc Committee and the Director of Communication Services be authorized to secure services through direct negotiation within the approved budget allocation.

9. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 9:27 a.m.