COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKAGE. March 26, Table of Contents

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COUNCIL INFORMATION PACKAGE

March 26, 2021

Item From

Subject

Page

1 Office of the City Clerk

Incomplete Staff Directions Quarterly

Report

1-11

2 Sandra Maxwell, Supervisor of

Festivals & Events

Together, We Are Burlington

campaign

12-15

3 Fort Erie

Niagara Region – Homelessness,

Mental Health and Addiction in

Niagara

16

4 Niagara Region

Homelessness, Mental Health and

Addiction in Niagara

17-22

5 Grey Highlands

Ontario Fire College

23-27

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To: Mayor & Council

From: Kevin Arjoon, City Clerk

Cc: Burlington Leadership Team

Date: March 26, 2021

Re: Incomplete Staff Directions – Quarterly Report

At the January 11, 2021 Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk & Accountability Committee the Office of

the City Clerk presented a report entitled

Update on Accountability and Transparency Initiatives

.

Staff directions are requests from Council for additional research or work to be completed by staff and

may come in the form of a Municipal Officers Report, memorandum or an amendment to a staff report

recommendation. All staff directions recorded by the Office of the City Clerk and will be included in the

Council minute record. Only approved Council directions (by way of resolution) will be recorded and

reported upon through the staff direction program.

A listing of the current Incomplete Staff Directions is attached to this memorandum. Items on the list are

presented in meeting date order, and will provide information on the following fields:

Meeting Type

Meeting Date

Agenda Item

Department (assigned to)

Staff Direction (wording from the motion)

Councillor (listed the member on file)

Due Date (by quarter)

Status

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Agenda Item Department Staff Direction Councillor Due Date Status

Consolidation of bylaw services (SD-05-19) Building and Bylaw Moved by Councillor Bentivegna

Direct the Director of City Building to investigate efficiencies of consolidating bylaw services and report back to council with a proposal for the 2020 budget. (SD-05-19)

Moved by Councillor Bentivegna Q4-2021 In Progress

Approval of the 2020 budget (F-46-19-2) (SD-36-19) (SD-37-19) (SD-38-19) (SD-39-19) City Manager's Office Moved by Councillor Bentivegna

Direct the City Manager to include park maintenance operations as part of a future service review in 2020, subject to further audit and accountability funding from the province being announced. (SD-38-19)

Moved by Councillor Bentivegna Q1-2022 Incomplete

City of Burlington Housing Strategy proposed Terms of Reference (PL-02-21, SD-04-21) Community Planning Moved by Councillor Stolte

Direct the Director of Community Planning to continue to refine the scope of work in regard to milestones and timelines for delivering concrete, actionable recommendations to Council that can be implemented within this term of Council as set out in Vision to Focus 2018-2022 and report back by early Q2 2021 (SD-04-21); and

Moved by Councillor Stolte Q2-2021 Incomplete

City of Burlington Housing Strategy proposed Terms of Reference (PL-02-21, SD-04-21) Community Planning Moved by Councillor Stolte

Direct the Director of Community Planning to coordinate and implement an initial community engagement event intended to introduce the Housing Strategy initiative to residents and key stakeholders in the community in an effort to seek public input as to how the community would like to collaborate on the Housing Strategy, in keeping with Council's commitment to IAP2 and our Community Engagement Charter and report back by early Q2 2021(SD-04-21); and

Moved by Councillor Stolte Q2-2021 Incomplete

City of Burlington Housing Strategy proposed Terms of Reference (PL-02-21, SD-04-21) Community Planning Moved by Councillor Sharman

Direct the Director of Community Planning in developing the draft engagement plan for the Housing Strategy, to include collaboration with all levels of government with a role in housing. (SD-04-21)

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Taking a Closer Look at the Downtown: Preliminary Preferred Concept (PL-02-20) (SD-02-20) (SD-03-20) Community Planning Moved by Mayor Meed Ward

Direct the Director of Community Planning, in consultation with Heritage Burlington, to assess the heritage value and appropriate protections (including possible Heritage Act designations) for the potential built heritage resources and potential cultural heritage landscapes identified by ASI in their September 2019 Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment of the Downtown Mobility Hub, with funding source to be determined, and report back to Council with the assessment and associated recommendations by Q4 of 2020. (SD-02-20)

Moved by Mayor Meed Ward Q3-2021 Incomplete

Amendments to Temporary Use By-law and by-law regulating temporary outdoor patios (PL-44-20)(SD-13-20) Community Planning Moved by Councillor Galbraith

Direct the Executive Director of Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility to report back in Q1 of 2021 regarding the amendments to the By-law regulating temporary outdoor patios including a review of the implementation process, feedback from the community and stakeholders and outlining options for the 2021 patio season. (PL-44-20) (SD-13-20)

Moved by Councillor Galbraith Q1-2021 Incomplete

Direction to review character defining elements of St. Luke's and Emerald precincts (SD-18-20) Community Planning Moved by Mayor Meed Ward

Direct the Executive Director of Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility, through the Cultural Heritage Landscape Study and upcoming Zoning Bylaw Review, to review the character defining elements of St. Luke's and Emerald Precincts and consider creating a downtown zone. (SD-18-20)

Staff directions from 2020 budget (F-46-19-2) (SD-08-20) Community Planning Moved by Councillor Kearns

Low-rise Design Guidelines

Direct the Acting Director of Community Planning to report back on the feasibility of completing Low-Rise Design Guidelines that address issues of low-rise compatibility and results in low-rise developments that positively

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Approval of the 2020 budget (F-46-19-2) (SD-36-19) (SD-37-19) (SD-38-19) (SD-39-19) Community Planning Moved by Mayor Meed Ward

Direct the Executive Director of Community Planning, Regulation and Mobility to report back in Q2 of 2020 with terms of reference and a communication plan for the

proposed housing strategy contained in the Vision to Focus Plan, including the estimated cost and funding source. (SD-39-19)

Moved by Mayor Meed Ward Q2-2021 In Progress

Terms of Reference update for Housing and Development Liaison Committee (MO-03-20, SD-06-20) Community Planning Moved by Councillor Galbraith Direct the Interim Director of Community Planning to review and report back on revised terms of reference for the Citys Housing and Development Liaison Committee. (SD-06-20)

Adoption of revised proposed new official plan (PB-04-18) (SD-7-18) (SD-14-18) (SD-15-18) (SD-17-18) Community Planning and Building and Bylaw Moved by Councillor Meed Ward

Direct the Director of City Building to retain the existing 3 storey height for properties located in Sector 2 (S2) of the Upper Brant Precinct when staff update the Zoning

By-law. (SD-14-18)

Moved by Councillor Meed Ward Q2-2023 Incomplete

Adoption of revised proposed new official plan (PB-04-18) (SD-7-18) (SD-14-18) (SD-15-18) (SD-17-18) Community Planning and Building and Bylaw Moved by Councillor Meed Ward Direct the Director of City Building to report back on the feasibility of implementing a bylaw regarding green roofs and other technologies including the review of other municipalities. (SD-15-18)

Adoption of revised proposed new official plan (PB-04-18) (SD-7-18) (SD-14-18) (SD-15-18) (SD-17-18) Community Planning and Building and Bylaw Moved by Councillor Meed Ward

Direct the Director of City Building to consider setting a minimum parkland standard (ha/1000 population) and walk distance for the Primary Growth Areas (3 Mobility Hubs

and the Downtown) during the Area Specific Plans (SD-17-18)

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Adoption of revised proposed new official plan (PB-04-18) (SD-7-18) (SD-14-18) (SD-15-18) (SD-17-18) Community Planning and Building and Bylaw Moved by Councillor Meed Ward Direct the Director of City Building to ensure through the area-specific planning process, in particular the following properties (747 Appleby Line, 711 Appleby Line, 5041

Fairview and 5091 Fairview) will: Retain employment function on the site; and Through the area-specific plan process should sensitive or residential uses be contemplated they may only be permitted upon demonstration of Land Use Compatibility (D6 Guidelines), including appropriate mitigation and setbacks, protection from overlook, and in partnership with the adjacent employment use. The aim of the work of the area-specific plan is to ensure the continued operation of the existing employment use is not impacted by land use policy decisions on these sites. (SD-7-18)

Naming of three multi-use recreational trails (CW-26-20) (SD-19-20) Corporate Communications and Engagement Moved by Councillor Kearns

Direct the Director of Corporate

Communications and Government Relations to amend the Naming of Corporate Assets Policy to support a broader sense of social and community values, our history and heritage for Council approval. (SD-19-20)

Moved by Councillor Kearns Q2-2021 Incomplete

Update on Skyway Community Centre (EICS-02-21) (SD-01-21) Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services Moved by Mayor Meed Ward

Direct the Executive Director of Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services and the Chief Financial Officer to report back to Council in Q3 of 2021 on funding options for the Skyway Community Centre project (SD-01-21); and Direct the Mayor and City Manager to continue to pursue, and advocate for funding from the Federal and Provincial levels of Government.

Veteran Square: naming of the area around Burlington Cenotaph (ADM-13-20) (SD-28-20) Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services Moved by Councillor Kearns

Name the area around the Burlington Cenotaph as Veteran Square; and Direct staff to erect

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2021 operating budget review and approval (F-04-21-1) (SD-07-21) Finance Moved by Councillor Sharman

Direct the Chief Financial Officer to include the 2021 budgeted one-time draw from the tax rate stabilization reserve fund in the amount of $450,000 as an expense for future reporting/applications to the province on safe restart. (SD-07-21)

Moved by Councillor Sharman Q1-2022 Incomplete

Meridian Brick/Aldershot Quarry study review (MO-17-19, SD-32-19) Legal Moved by Mayor Meed Ward

Direct the Executive Director of Legal Services and Corporation Counsel to retain an environmental lawyer to advise on the municipal role in the Aldershot Quarry, the potential air quality bylaw and any other matters arising. (SD-32-19)

Feasibility of a city-wide health protection by-law (SD-06-21) Legal and City Manger's Office Moved by Mayor Meed Ward

Direct the Executive Director of Legal Services to undertake a detailed review of the feasibility of a city-wide health protection by-law to be funded from the contingency reserve fund and report back by Q2 2021. (SD-06-21)

Taking a Closer Look at the Downtown: Preliminary Preferred Concept (PL-02-20) (SD-02-20) (SD-03-20) Legal Services and Environment, Infrastructure and ComMoved by Mayor Meed Ward

Direct the Executive Director of Legal Services, working with the Executive Director of Environment, Infrastructure, and Community Services, to report back with options for the future of Lions Park. (SD-03-20)

Meridian Brick/Aldershot Quarry study review (MO-17-19, SD-32-19) Mayor's Office Moved by Mayor Meed Ward

Direct the Mayor to:

write to the three local MPPs for Burlington, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry to request a meeting to discuss the conditions of the site plan and their oversight and due diligence in ongoing monitoring and studies conducted on the air quality impacts of the quarry activities to ensure the quarry is operating within provincial regulations. establish a Community Council Liaison Committee with representation from Meridian/Aldershot Quarry, local citizens, provincial ministries, city staff and council, and other stakeholders, to provide regular communication among stakeholders, renew monitoring studies, and discuss quarry activities and any emerging/new issues.

(SD-32-19)

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Proposed Council/Committee Changes 2021 (MO-09-20) (SD-29-20) Mayor's Office Moved by Mayor Meed Ward

Direct the City Manager, Mayor and City Clerk to plan and schedule Council Governance - education and training workshops with council for 2021-2022 as outlined in Mayor's Office report MO-09-20. (SD-29-20)

Establishment of a lobbyist registry (CSSRA-06-20) (SD-14-20) Office of the City Clerk Moved by Councillor Kearns

Direct the City Clerk to bring forward a staff report to implement a Lobbyist Registry for the City of Burlington, in accordance with the Municipal Act section 223.9. (SD-14-20)

Moved by Councillor Kearns Q2-2021 Incomplete

Voting options for 2022 and ranked ballots (CL-06-20) (SD-17-20) Office of the City Clerk Moved by Mayor Meed Ward

Direct the City Clerk to consult with members of Council, and the public with respect to the municipal elections and any potential policies or enhancements to be

considered when preparing for the 2022 City of Burlington election and report back to a future Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk & Accountability Committee meeting with a summary and potential policy options. Direct the City Clerk to keep in mind the need to be representative in the public consultation process.

Direct the City Clerk to schedule a Council Workshop by Q3 2021 presenting the outcome of the consultation process, including potential policy changes and other enhancements. (SD-17-20)

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Procedure By-Law amendment staff direction (EICS-C-03-20) (SD-30-20) Office of the City Clerk Moved by Mayor Meed Ward

Direct the City Clerk to prepare a staff report with recommended updates the to the Procedure By-law on the following items: Add definitions to the Procedure By-law for council memorandums, staff reports, municipal officer reports and resolutions; and

Provide guidance on how members of council's items are submitted to standing committees versus straight to council; and

Review the notice of motion section to refine and include deadlines (time) for motions to committee and council; and

Define an agenda review process for standing committees and council, including the Chair's role; and

Provide clarity on items that are provided to Audit Committee versus Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability Committee. (SD-30-20)

Proposed Council/Committee Changes 2021 (MO-09-20) (SD-29-20) Office of the City Clerk Moved by Mayor Meed Ward

Direct the City Manager, Mayor and City Clerk to plan and schedule Council Governance - education and training workshops with council for 2021-2022 as outlined in Mayor's Office report MO-09-20. (SD-29-20)

Workshop on recreation services (SD-10-19) Recreation, Community and Culture Moved by Councillor Nisan

Direct the Director of Parks and Recreation to conduct a workshop for council that provides an overview of current practices and opportunities in recreation services with a

focus on youth and people with special needs and report back with opportunities for the 2020 budget. (SD-10-19)

Moved by Councillor Nisan Q4-2021 In Progress

Sherwood Forest soccer domes / Joint Venture Agreement (COW-02-18) (SD-02-18) Recreation, Community and Culture Moved by Councillor Sharman

Direct the Director of Parks and Recreation to include in the Joint Venture Policy Review consideration of including operating agreements that outline how the community

will be served as part of each facility lease agreement. (SD-2-18)

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Direction regarding pathway at Brant Hills Community Centre (SD-16-19) Roads, Parks and Forestry Moved by Councillor Nisan

Direct the Director of Roads, Parks and Forestry to add the path adjacent to the Brant Hills Community Centre to the route of the sidewalk plow, to be plowed with the same priority as sidewalks on a primary route, including salting (consistent with current service standards) for the remainder of winter 2019. (SD-16-19)

Moved by Councillor Nisan Q4-2021 Incomplete

Approval of the 2020 budget (F-46-19-2) (SD-36-19) (SD-37-19) (SD-38-19) (SD-39-19) Roads, Parks and Forestry Moved by Councillor Stolte

Direct the Director of Road, Parks and Forestry to create and implement a tree planting initiative for residents. (SD-36-19)

Moved by Councillor Stolte Q4-2021 In Progress

Direction regarding winter operations (SD-15-19) Roads, Parks and Forestry Moved by Mayor Meed Ward

Direct the Director of Roads, Parks and Forestry to complete a review of winter operations and provide recommendations to Committee of the Whole for 2020 budget considerations including the following:

Improvements to sidewalk, pathway and bike lane clearing in accordance with recent revisions to the Minimum Maintenance Standards: and Increased management oversight of winter operations on shifts; and

Increased oversight of contracted services; and Consideration of changes to equipment and service provision for plowing (10 year contract preparations are commencing); and Options for enhanced service on residential roads; and

Options for enhanced service on laneways and pathways; and

Options for changes to the Windrow Program; and

Options for enhanced communications; and Options for salt boxes in neighbourhoods near pathways; and

Consultation with citizen advisory committees for service level suggestions; and

Review of road prioritization / service levels for snow removal; and

Moved by Mayor Meed Ward Q4-2021 In Progress

Handi-van operations (SD-06-19) Transit Moved by Councillor Sharman

Direct the Director of Transit to consider re-organization of Handi-van operations to provide increased service to older adults. (SD-06-19)

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Maple Avenue cycling facilities (PD-05-19, SD-22-19) Transportation Moved by Mayor Meed Ward

Direct the Director of Transportation Services to carry out an assessment, including public consultation, of providing improved cycling facilities for Maple Avenue from Lakeshore Road to Fairview Street. This assessment may include the purposing or re-configuration of exiting vehicle lanes, for potential implementation following the completion of the QEW works to be undertaken by the Ministry of Transportation in the vicinity of the QEW/Northshore interchange and report back to the Planning and

Development Committee. (SD-22-19)

Bike share program (SD-07-19) Transportation Moved by Councillor Galbraith

Direct the Director of Transportation to review and report back to council as part of the integrated transportation plan an assessment of adding a bike share program, and provide costing for the 2020 budget. (SD-07-19)

Direction to examine accessible parking (SD-20-19) Transportation Moved by Councillor Bentivegna

Direct the Director of Transportation to examine accessible parking (number of spaces, stall dimensions, signage and pavement markings) in consultation with the Burlington Accessibility Coordinator, Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee, Burlington Seniors' Advisory Committee and Integrated Transportation Advisory Committee and report back to Committee of the Whole in Q4 in 2019.

Moved by Councillor Bentivegna Q4-2021 Incomplete

Technology-based traffic enforcement (TS-01-19) (SD-17-19) Transportation Moved by Mayor Meed Ward

Direct the Director of Transportation Services to complete a detailed assessment of intersections and report back with a business case for the implementation of Red Light Cameras including recommended intersections, program costs and an implementation plan by Q2 of 2020; and Direct the Director of Transportation Services to continue to participate in the Ontario Traffic Council Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) working group and report back as program details are available. (SD-17-19)

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Parking fees waived for 90 min in downtown Burlington (ADM-12-20) (SD-27-20) Transportation Moved by Councillor Kearns

Direct City Staff to draw from the Downtown Parking District Reserve Fund to offset the impact of the associated loss of revenue; and Direct staff to report back on the metrics with respect to the 90 minutes of waived parking fees, by April 2021; and

That metrics from the Burlington Downtown Business Association and Downtown Parking Committee be reported to Council on a regular monthly basis.

That the amendment take effect as soon as operationally possible with the understanding that the BDBA and DPC will continue to monitor and review the changing needs of small local business during the declared emergency. (SD-27-20)

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To:

Mayor and Members of Council

From:

Sandra Maxwell, Supervisor of Festivals & Events

Cc: Tim Commisso, Allan Magi, Chris Glenn, Kevin Arjoon, Denise Beard

Date: March 16, 2021

Re: Together, We Are Burlington campaign

I am pleased to inform you about a new initiative called Together, We Are Burlington campaign which

will be launching end of March 2021.

The campaign will be asking residents to share their stories through Get Involved

(getinvolvedburlington.ca/together) on what makes them proud to be Canadian and a Burlington

resident. Stories about how we come together as a City by community members who make a

difference and bring people together through random acts of community; moments of kindness or

through small acts that may have a bigger impact.

Stories will be collected until June 30, 2021 and some may also be featured in a special video which

will be launched on July 1, 2021 as part of the city’s virtual Canada Day celebrations.

If you know of people with a story to share, please encourage them to visit the webpage.

Attached are the marketing visual pieces that will begin to appear through various mediums and on

social media streams. When the campaign launches, Councillor Assistants will be provided with

tools that can also be incorporated in individual Ward communications to encourage resident

participation.

The vision for this campaign will be to further introduce initiatives through the Community

Development portfolio to keep the momentum going and build neighbourhoods.

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Community Services

Legislative Services

March 23, 2021

File #120203

Association of Municipalities of Ontario Members:

Re:

Niagara Region – Homelessness, Mental Health and Addiction in Niagara

Please be advised the Municipal Council of the Town of Fort Erie at its meeting of March 22,

2021 received and supported correspondence from the Niagara Region dated March 4, 2021

acknowledging a significant crisis exists in Niagara regarding the above; and that the Niagara

Region be directed to send advocacy letters to the appropriate Federal and Provincial

Ministers and advocate to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Minister of

Families, Children and Social Development for the required funding; to align with the Niagara

Region’s Strategic Plan and request an update from the Overdose Prevention and Education

Network of Niagara regarding the current status of the actions being taken to address addiction

related issues in Niagara.

Attached please find a copy of the Niagara Region’s correspondence dated March 4, 2021.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Yours very truly,

Carol Schofield, Dipl.M.A.

Manager, Legislative Services/Clerk

cschofield@forterie.ca

CS:dlk

Attach

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Administration

Office of the Regional Clerk

1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, PO Box 1042, Thorold, ON L2V 4T7

Telephone: 905-685-4225 Toll-free: 1-800-263-7215 Fax: 905-687-4977

www.niagararegion.ca

March 4, 2021

CL 4-2021, February 25, 2021

PHSSC 2-2021, February 16, 2021

Minute Item No. 5.1, February 16, 2021

MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPALITIES OF ONTARIO (AMO)

SENT ELECTRONICALLY

Motion respecting Homelessness, Mental Health and Addiction in Niagara

Minute Item No. 5.1

Regional Council, at its meeting held on February 25, 2021, approved the following

resolution from its Public Health and Social Services Committee:

WHEREAS Niagara Region prides itself as being a caring and compassionate

community that continually strives to be a place where people want to live, work and

play;

WHEREAS providing access to safe, adequate and affordable housing for everyone is

fundamental to achieving that goal;

WHEREAS Niagara Region acknowledges that mental health, mental illness, addiction

and homelessness, while important issues, are not homogenous, interchangeable or

consistently interconnected, and doing so may over simplify exceptionally complex

issues that require targeted policy solutions and intervention;

WHEREAS Niagara Region’s 10-year Housing and Homelessness Action Plan (HHAP),

A Home For All, outlines the Region’s vision, challenges, and the actions required to

achieve its goals;

WHEREAS Niagara Region has embarked on an ambitious effort to end chronic

homelessness through participation in the national Built for Zero campaign;

WHEREAS Regional Council formally adopted Mental Health and Wellbeing (2.2) and

Addressing Affordable Housing Needs (2.3) as strategic priorities for the current term of

our Council;

WHEREAS a recent KPMG report commissioned by Niagara Region indicated that

Council invests more levy funding than its peers into homelessness, demonstrating a

steadfast commitment to addressing the issue;

WHEREAS Niagara Region acknowledges that people living in shelters are part of the

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Motion Respecting Homelessness, Mental Health and Addiction in Niagara

March 4, 2021

Page 2

WHEREAS the implementation plan for Council’s strategic objectives states that staff

will identify gaps within the mental health system to increase the functionality and

collaboration within it;

WHEREAS the same implementation plan directed staff to partner with Ontario Health

(formally the LHIN) to review the local landscape to identify opportunities, including new

investment;

WHEREAS the treatment and supports for mental illness, addiction, and homelessness

are predominantly funded and directed by the Province;

WHEREAS the success of the Region’s Housing and Homelessness Action Plan is

dependent on a commitment of sustained and increased funding (both operational and

capital) from all levels of government to address the issues of housing insecurity and

homelessness in Niagara; and

WHEREAS the needs of the community far outweigh Niagara Region’s available

resources and funding required to effectively address these issues, and the support of

both the Provincial and Federal governments are needed to meet these needs.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

1. That Niagara Region Council officially

ACKNOWLEDGE that a significant crisis

exists in Niagara in regard to the prevalence of chronic homelessness and the lack

of affordable housing that far surpasses the Region’s ability to meet the vision

dictated in its 10-year Housing and Homelessness Action Plan (HHAP);

2. That the Regional Chair

BE DIRECTED to send advocacy letters directly to the

appropriate Federal and Provincial ministries outlining Niagara’s current situation

and requesting additional funding be provided to ensure Niagara can meet the vision

outlined in its housing action plan;

3. That the Regional Chair

BE DIRECTED to advocate to the Minister of Municipal

Affairs and Housing and the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

for the required operational funding for the planned supportive and bridge housing

initiatives;

4. That Regional staff

BE DIRECTED, in alignment with the planned review of

Council’s strategic priorities, to produce a report specifically highlighting the progress

being made and critical gaps in regard to services related to mental health,

addictions and wellbeing;

5. That Regional staff

BE DIRECTED to continue providing Regional Council updates

on the HHAP and Built for Zero initiatives;

6. That Regional staff

BE DIRECTED to request an update from the Overdose

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Motion Respecting Homelessness, Mental Health and Addiction in Niagara

March 4, 2021

Page 3

7. That a copy of this motion be sent to all members of the Association of Municipalities

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Administration

Office of the Regional Clerk

1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, PO Box 1042, Thorold, ON L2V 4T7

Telephone: 905-685-4225 Toll-free: 1-800-263-7215 Fax: 905-687-4977

www.niagararegion.ca

March 4, 2021

CL 4-2021, February 25, 2021

PHSSC 2-2021, February 16, 2021

Minute Item No. 5.1, February 16, 2021

MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPALITIES OF ONTARIO (AMO)

SENT ELECTRONICALLY

Motion respecting Homelessness, Mental Health and Addiction in Niagara

Minute Item No. 5.1

Regional Council, at its meeting held on February 25, 2021, approved the following

resolution from its Public Health and Social Services Committee:

WHEREAS Niagara Region prides itself as being a caring and compassionate

community that continually strives to be a place where people want to live, work and

play;

WHEREAS providing access to safe, adequate and affordable housing for everyone is

fundamental to achieving that goal;

WHEREAS Niagara Region acknowledges that mental health, mental illness, addiction

and homelessness, while important issues, are not homogenous, interchangeable or

consistently interconnected, and doing so may over simplify exceptionally complex

issues that require targeted policy solutions and intervention;

WHEREAS Niagara Region’s 10-year Housing and Homelessness Action Plan (HHAP),

A Home For All, outlines the Region’s vision, challenges, and the actions required to

achieve its goals;

WHEREAS Niagara Region has embarked on an ambitious effort to end chronic

homelessness through participation in the national Built for Zero campaign;

WHEREAS Regional Council formally adopted Mental Health and Wellbeing (2.2) and

Addressing Affordable Housing Needs (2.3) as strategic priorities for the current term of

our Council;

WHEREAS a recent KPMG report commissioned by Niagara Region indicated that

Council invests more levy funding than its peers into homelessness, demonstrating a

steadfast commitment to addressing the issue;

WHEREAS Niagara Region acknowledges that people living in shelters are part of the

crisis and not the solution;

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Motion Respecting Homelessness, Mental Health and Addiction in Niagara

March 4, 2021

Page 2

WHEREAS the implementation plan for Council’s strategic objectives states that staff

will identify gaps within the mental health system to increase the functionality and

collaboration within it;

WHEREAS the same implementation plan directed staff to partner with Ontario Health

(formally the LHIN) to review the local landscape to identify opportunities, including new

investment;

WHEREAS the treatment and supports for mental illness, addiction, and homelessness

are predominantly funded and directed by the Province;

WHEREAS the success of the Region’s Housing and Homelessness Action Plan is

dependent on a commitment of sustained and increased funding (both operational and

capital) from all levels of government to address the issues of housing insecurity and

homelessness in Niagara; and

WHEREAS the needs of the community far outweigh Niagara Region’s available

resources and funding required to effectively address these issues, and the support of

both the Provincial and Federal governments are needed to meet these needs.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

1. That Niagara Region Council officially

ACKNOWLEDGE that a significant crisis

exists in Niagara in regard to the prevalence of chronic homelessness and the lack

of affordable housing that far surpasses the Region’s ability to meet the vision

dictated in its 10-year Housing and Homelessness Action Plan (HHAP);

2. That the Regional Chair

BE DIRECTED to send advocacy letters directly to the

appropriate Federal and Provincial ministries outlining Niagara’s current situation

and requesting additional funding be provided to ensure Niagara can meet the vision

outlined in its housing action plan;

3. That the Regional Chair

BE DIRECTED to advocate to the Minister of Municipal

Affairs and Housing and the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

for the required operational funding for the planned supportive and bridge housing

initiatives;

4. That Regional staff

BE DIRECTED, in alignment with the planned review of

Council’s strategic priorities, to produce a report specifically highlighting the progress

being made and critical gaps in regard to services related to mental health,

addictions and wellbeing;

5. That Regional staff

BE DIRECTED to continue providing Regional Council updates

on the HHAP and Built for Zero initiatives;

6. That Regional staff

BE DIRECTED to request an update from the Overdose

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Motion Respecting Homelessness, Mental Health and Addiction in Niagara

March 4, 2021

Page 3

7. That a copy of this motion be sent to all members of the Association of Municipalities

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P a g e

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March 22, 2021

RE: Ontario Fire College Closure

Please be advised that the Council of the Municipality of Grey Highlands, at

its meeting held March 17, 2021, passed the following resolution:

2021-195

Moved by Aakash Desai, Seconded by Danielle Valiquette

Whereas Council received the resolution 59/21 from the Township of

Howick; and

Whereas, the Province of Ontario has announced that as of March 31,

2021 the Gravenhurst campus of the Ontario Fire College will be

permanently closed; and

Whereas, the Province of Ontario announced plans to modernize and

expand access to firefighter training in Ontario; and

Whereas, there has been no clear plan communicated by the Province

of Ontario on how to obtain firefighter training in the absence of the

Ontario Fire College campus; and

Whereas, there has been no clear plan communicated by the Province

of Ontario on how firefighter training in Ontario will be modernized

and expanded; and

Whereas, there has been no clear plan communicated by the Province

of Ontario regarding the costs or funding for modernized and

expanded firefighter training in Ontario; and

Whereas, the Municipality of Grey Highlands is a small municipality

that operates a volunteer fire department to provide fire protection;

Now therefore, be it resolved that Council respectfully request a clear

plan be communicated that establishes how the Province intends to

modernize and expand firefighter training ensuring equal access to

all municipal fire departments in Ontario, and as well, present a plan

for funding to subsidize and/or regulate the cost for firefighter

(25)

P a g e

| 2

That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Solicitor General,

MPP Bill Walker, the Ontario Fire Marshal, the Ontario Association of

Fire Chiefs, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and all

Ontario Municipalities.

CARRIED.

As per the above resolution, please accept a copy of this correspondence for

your information and consideration.

Sincerely,

Jerri-Lynn Levitt

Deputy Clerk

(26)

44816 Harriston Road, RR 1, Gorrie On N0G 1X0

Tel: 519-335-3208 ext 2 Fax: 519-335-6208

www.howick.ca

March 3, 2021

Premier Doug Ford

By email only

premier@ontario.ca

Dear Premier Ford:

Please be advised that the following resolution was passed at the March 2, 2021

Howick Council meeting:

Moved by Deputy Reeve Bowman; Seconded by Councillor Hargrave:

Whereas, the Province of Ontario has announced that as of March 31, 2021 the

Gravenhurst campus of the Ontario Fire College will be permanently closed; and

Whereas, the Province of Ontario announced plans to modernize and expand

access to firefighter training in Ontario; and

Whereas, there has been no clear plan communicated by the Province of Ontario

on how to obtain firefighter training in the absence of the Ontario Fire College

campus; and

Whereas, there has been no clear plan communicated by the Province of Ontario

on how firefighter training in Ontario will be modernized and expanded; and

Whereas, there has been no clear plan communicated by the Province of Ontario

regarding the costs or funding for modernized and expanded firefighter training

in Ontario; and

Whereas, the Township of Howick is a small rural municipality that operates a

volunteer fire department to provide fire protection;

Now therefore, be it resolved that Council respectfully request a clear plan be

communicated that establishes how the Province intends to modernize and

expand firefighter training ensuring equal access to all municipal fire

departments in Ontario, and as well, present a plan for funding to subsidise and

or regulate the cost for firefighter training in the Province of Ontario. Carried.

Resolution No. 59/21

If you require any further information, please contact this office, thank you.

Yours truly,

Carol Watson

Carol Watson, Clerk

Township of Howick

Cc Solicitor General Sylvia Jones

Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson

Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg

Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs Mark McDonald

AMO President

Graydon Smith

(27)

TOWNSHIP OF EDWARDSBURGH CARDINAL

March 22

,

2021

WHEREAS the Ontario Fire College has been in operation since 1949

,

where its

primary responsibility is to develop and delivery academically sound educational and

hands on

training

programs to meet the needs of both today's and tomorrow's fire

services

;

and

WHEREAS the Ontario Fire College

'

s main objective is to assist the students to become

the best trained and most professional members of the Ontario fire service; and

WHEREAS the Ontario Fire College is one of the primary sources of certified training for

Ontario and Municipal Firefighters; and

WHEREAS the Ontario Fire College has built a reputation of integrity

,

credibility, and

reliability in providing some of the best training for our fire services within the Province

of Ontario; and

WHEREAS the Ontario Fire College has been utilized by the Township of

Edwardsburgh Cardinal for numerous years to train and certify our volunteer fire

fighters

;

and

WHEREAS the Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal Volunteer Fire Department is on

call 24/7 for 365 days a year

,

with regular jobs and families that expect them to come

home safely each and every time

;

and

WHEREAS the Ontario Fire College provides fire fighters with another option other than

Regional Training Centres to obtain their National Fire Protection Association

certification

;

and

WHEREAS the Ontario Fire College is the most cost effective method to certify fire

fighters to National Fire Protection Association standards in Ontario

;

and

WHEREAS when the Government of Ontario enacted and revoked Ontario Regulation

379/18

:

Firefighter Certification

,

it was made known by the Office of the Solicitor

General that the Act would be amended and brought back in the future; and

Z

REAS

the Ontario Fire Service stakeholders were not consulted regarding the

clo ure of

the

Ontario Fire Colleg_JAfaining facility in Gravenhurst

;

and

Carried

□

Defeated

□

ldnanimous

A

\l

\

~

\..,CA.

Mayor:

\

I

RECORDED VOTE

J\OUE

4

_EDBY:

NAME

_\

YEA

NAY

Councillor H

.

Cameron

'

Councillor

S

.

Dillabough

Councillor J

.

Hunter

Deputy Mayor T. Deschamps

(28)

..

TOWNSHIP OF EDWARDSBURGH CARDINAL

March

22 , 2021

Resolution Number: 2021-

_ _ _ _ _ _

_

Moved By: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_

Seconded By

:

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_

WHEREAS municipalities in the Province of Ontario are mandated to establish a

program including public education and fire prevention, and provide fire protection

services as it deems may be necessary with its needs and circumstance

.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVES THAT the Council of the Corporation of the

Township of Edwardsburgh Cardinal hereby strongly requests that the Government of

Ontario reverse their decision to close the Ontario Fire College as it is one of the best

and most cost effective methods for municipalities to educate and train their firefighters

which assists in protecting all residents; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT if the Government of Ontario chooses to not

reverse its decision to close the Ontario Fire College, the Province should provide direct

financial support to municipalities to offset the increased training costs of providing

Provincially mandated firefighting services; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this resolution be forwarded to the Honourable

Doug Ford

,

Premier of Ontario, the Honourable Sylvia Jones; Ontario Solicitor General,

the Honourable Steve Clark

,

Minister of Municipal Affairs and House, the Ontario Fire

Marshal, and all municipalities within the Province of Ontario.

□

Carried

□

Defeated

□

Unanimous

Mayor: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_

I

RECORDED VOTE REQUESTED BY:

NAME

YEA

NAY

Councillor H

.

Cameron

Councillor S

.

Dillabough

(29)