Community and Protective Services Committee
Minutes 5
Thursday, 29 August 2019
9:30 a.m.
Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue W.
Note: 1. Underlining indicates a new
or amended recommendation approved by Committee
2. Except where
otherwise indicated, reports requiring Council consideration will be presented
to Council on 11 September in Community and Protective Services Committee
Report 5.
See specific
agenda item for declarations: Item 8 – Child Care and Early
Years Service System Plan 2019-2023 and Provincial Budget Update
MOTION CPS 05 – 01
Moved by: Councillor M. Fleury
WHEREAS at
its meeting of June 20, 2019, Councillor Fleury submitted Inquiry # CPS 02-19
concerning “Amendments to the Housing Services Act”; and
WHEREAS the
written response was not circulated in time to be included on the Community and
Protective Services Committee (CPSC) Agenda of August 29, 2019; and
WHEREAS
staff had completed the response to the inquiry, and it was circulated to
Members of Council on August 23, 2019; and
WHEREAS it
would be appropriate for this inquiry response to be listed on the Agenda of August
29, 2019 so that it may be discussed in conjunction with the report entitled
“Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative (2019-2022) and Proposed
Amendments by the Province to the Housing Services Act, 2011”, which is
complementary to the inquiry;
THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED THAT, pursuant to subsection 89(3) of the Procedure By-law, the
response to Inquiry # CPS 02 - 19 with respect to Amendments
to the Housing Services Act be added to the agenda for
today’s meeting.
CARRIED
(This item was
discussed in conjunction with item #7 - Canada-Ontario Community Housing
Initiative (2019-2022) and Proposed Amendments by the Province to the Housing
Services Act, 2011)
MOTION CPS 05 - 02
Moved by: Councillor M. Fleury
BE IT RESOLVED that pursuant to subsection 89(3) of
the Procedure By-law, this inquiry be added to the agenda for today’s meeting,
Inquiry CPS 01 - 19 - City Public Wi-Fi
CARRIED
Councillor M.
Fleury understands that the City is changing Wi-Fi providers, but it is
expected that Wi-Fi be provided in every City facility; libraries, community
centres, City Hall, skating rinks, etc…. What is the roadmap to make this
happen and when? Dan Chenier, General Manager, Recreation, Cultural and
Facility Services stated that at the moment they are replacing the Wi-Fi in the
25 buildings by the end of this year. The rest will be looked at, but it is a
budget pressure.
The inquiry was RECEIVED as presented.
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RECREATION,
CULTURAL AND FACILITY SERVICES
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1.
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ACS2019-PRC-GEN-0009
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STITTSVILLE (6)
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That the Community and Protective Services Committee recommend
Council approve the proposal to name the West Ridge Park “B” park located at
73 West Ridge Drive, the “Alfred McCoy Park”.
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CARRIED
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2.
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ACS2019-PRC-GEN-0010
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RIVER (16)
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That the Community and Protective Services Committee recommend
Council approve the proposal to name the Seniors Room in the Hunt Club
Riverside Park Community Centre the “Kathy Ablett Room.”
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CARRIED
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3.
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ACS2019-PRC-GEN-0011
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ALTA VISTA (18)
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That the Community and Protective Services Committee recommend
Council approve the proposal to name the Featherston Park, located at 2330
Virginia, “Rabbi Bulka Kindness Park”
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CARRIED
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4.
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ACS2019-PRC-GEN-0007
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STITTSVILLE (6)
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That the Community and Protective Services Committee recommend Council
approve the proposal to name the future park located at 315 Haliburton
Heights the “Mark Yakabuski Park”.
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CARRIED
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5.
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ACS2019-PRC-GEN-0012
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COLLEGE (8)
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That the Community and Protective Services Committee recommend
Council approve the proposal to name the Studio Theatre in Meridian Theatres
Centerpointe the “Les Lye Studio Theatre”
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Councillor T.
Kavanagh commented that she was concerned that many of the nominations brought
forward today are worthy but that the overwhelming majority are men. She
asked if the Department would be looking at the process through a gender
equity lens. Dan Chenier, General Manager, Recreation, Cultural and Facility
Services noted that this has arisen as a concern and that a policy is being
drafted with a view to gender equity on nominations.
The report recommendation was put to Committee and
CARRIED as presented.
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6.
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ACS2019-EPS-GEN-0009
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CITY WIDE
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That the Community and Protective Services Committee recommend
that Council approve the 2019-2022 By-law Review Work Plan set out in
Document 1 and as further outlined in this report.
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Chair Sudds gave
introductory remarks on the report and the process for the meeting.
Anthony Di
Monte, General Manager of Emergency and Protective Services gave a brief
summary of the report and introduced Valerie Bietlot, Manager, Public Policy
Development. She then gave a PowerPoint presentation on the highlights of
the report. A copy of the presentation is held on file with the City Clerk’s
office.
Following
the presentation, motions to be voted later in the meeting were delivered by
the proposing Councillors.
The
Committee heard from the following delegations:
- *William
Skorupinski - Vice President Automotive Services and Mobility, Canadian
Automobile Association (CAA) North and East Ontario – They have concerns
for motorists, tow truck drivers and towing businesses, where the
absence of regulation, specifically at the provincial level, has
resulted in a variety of models across Ontario that have led to
inconsistent consumer protection and safety standards impacting industry
operations. Currently, only 17 municipalities in Ontario,
(approximately 5% of municipalities) regulate towing through municipal
bylaws and licensing. Have worked with the City on stricter Tow Truck
by-law.
- Bob
Brown - Speaking in support of the accessible taxi review. Long term
advocate and person with disability. Former chair of former City Taxi
advisory Committee and involved in accessible taxi file at that time.
Concerned that Vehicle for Hire (VFH) accessibility fund did not go
towards ensuring viability of the services. Highly recommend review of
the accessibility taxis to make sure we have a viable and sustainable
industry.
- *Philippe
Parisot – Supports the review of the VFH By-law. He has driven for Uber
and as a taxi driver and there needs to be a better way. You can’t make
ends meet as an Uber driver.
- Tony
Hajjar – Taxi driver and speaking on behalf of taxi drivers. With the
last Council when VFH was approved it also added to taxi driver costs.
Many plates, especially accessible plates, are being returned to the
City. It is expensive to run an accessible vehicle. People are not
making enough to cover their expenses and so are returning the plates. A
lot of by-laws that are so strict on the taxi industry, while being more
lenient on cars like Uber. Wants Council to review all by-laws.
- Marc
Andre Way – Coventry Connections – It was the will of Council in 2016 to
take handcuffs off the industry. However, the meter descriptions were
not updated and are out of date. Are asking through the motions being
presented to allow flexibility to use more than one device as a meter. It
is important for the taxi industry to be able to present a new
methodology to staff to see if it meets the satisfaction of the City.
Allow us to use different forms of meters.
- Walid
Skaff – Taxi driver and owner – Spoke to the issue of the soft meters
and the recent proposal from the company not supported by the union and
recent vote. He is not against technology. Spoke to the fact that the company
wants soft meters. They are concerned that it gives the companies more
control and power over drivers.
[ * All
individuals marked with an asterisk either provided their comments in writing
or by email; all such comments are held on file with the City Clerk. ]
Following
the presentation and delegations committee members asked staff a variety of
questions regarding but not limited to these points:
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The scope on the snow plow licensing review will be
communicated.
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Directions to staff were
communicated on noise, signs and encroachment.
The motions were introduced by the proposing Councillors
and discussion on each.
The report recommendation was put to Committee and
CARRIED as amended by the following motions.
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MOTION CPS 05 - 03
Moved by: Councillor K. Egli
BE IT RESOLVED that pursuant to subsection 89(3)
of the Procedure By-law, this motion be added to the agenda for today’s
meeting, to be considered in conjunction with the 2019-2022 By-law Review
Workplan report.
CARRIED
MOTION CPS 05 - 04
Moved by: Councillor K. Egli
WHEREAS the proposed 2019-2022 By-law Review
Workplan sets out the by-law reviews for this Term of Council in accordance
with the Council-approved By-law Review Framework, and provides for a mid-term
Minor Amendments Report scheduled for Q1 2021 for those items that are minor,
of an administrative nature, or are limited in scope but that still require a
by-law amendment; and,
WHEREAS there is a desire that some minor
amendments to the Vehicle-For-Hire By-law be implemented immediately;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Vehicle-For-Hire
By-law (2016-272, as amended) be amended as follows:
1.
Amend Subsection 83(1) to reduce the
number of taxicab inspections from two (2) per year to one (1) per year for
taxicabs that are older than five (5) model years, so that all classes of
taxicabs only require one (1) taxicab inspection per year (subject to the Chief
License Inspector requiring additional inspections for particular vehicles for
public health and safety or consumer protection purposes, in accordance with
the by-law);
2.
Amend Section 54 to allow the
prescribed taxicab identification number located on the side of the taxicab to
be removed from the taxicab when it is not in service;
3.
Amend Schedule B (Taxicab Tariff) to
augment the tariff for cleaning of the taxicab from $50 to $150, to be paid by
the customer in circumstances when the customer has caused the taxicab to be
soiled so that it must be taken out of service in order to be cleaned; and,
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General
Manager, Emergency and Protective Services, prepare the required amending by-laws
in consultation with the City Solicitor for enactment by Council as soon as
possible.
CARRIED
MOTION CPS 05 - 05
Moved by: Councillor E. El-Chantiry
BE IT RESOLVED that pursuant to subsection 89(3)
of the Procedure By-law, this motion be added to the agenda be added to the
agenda for today’s meeting, to be considered in conjunction with the 2019-2022
By-law Review Workplan report.
CARRIED
MOTION CPS 05 - 06
Moved by: Councillor E. El-Chantiry
WHEREAS in
2016 City Council approved flexible pricing for taxicab service that does not
exceed the prescribed maximum fare set out in the by-law, to be used under
certain conditions when an app is used by a taxi broker to connect passengers
to taxicab service; and,
WHEREAS
alternative technologies to the traditional taximeter may be available to the
taxi industry to implement flexible pricing,
THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED that the Vehicle-For-Hire By-law (2016-272, as amended)
be amended to authorize the Chief License Inspector to:
1.
Approve
the use of alternative technologies for taximeters to allow the implementation
of flexible pricing for taxicab service when an app is used, in accordance with
Section 90 of the by-law, provided that the alternative technology in question:
a. ensures
an accurate reading of the trip and fare to be charged to the customer;
b. is secure
and tamper-proof; and
c. meets
any other necessary conditions prescribed by the Chief License Inspector for
consumer protection; and
2.
Waive any by-law requirements related to taximeters, as
necessary, to implement the alternative technology that meets the Chief License
Inspector’s requirements.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Manger,
Emergency and Protective Services, prepare the required amending by-laws in
consultation with the City Solicitor for enactment by Council as soon as
possible.
CARRIED
MOTION CPS 05 - 07
Moved by:
Councillor Luloff
WHEREAS the Vehicle-For-Hire By-law
currently regulates the provision of on-demand accessible taxicab service,
including that such accessible taxicab service be available 10 hours a day, 5
days a week, and,
WHEREAS complaints and concerns have been expressed
about accessible taxicab services, including the quality and availability of
accessible taxicab services and the cost to accessible taxi plate holders of
providing accessible taxicab service, and
WHEREAS a targeted study of these complaints
and concerns is deemed necessary, and this study goes beyond a review of the current
regulations and by-law,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the General Manager
of Emergency and Protective Services
1.
Review the feasibility of conducting a
study of the complaints and concerns expressed regarding the quality,
availability, and costs on-demand accessible taxicab services, including their
causes, and recommending any potential solutions for improvements; and
2.
In advance of the 2020 Budget process,
report back to the Community and Protective Services Committee on the potential
scope of work to undertake such study of accessible taxicab services, including
the costs associated with such review, the capacity for staff to undertake this
review, and the anticipated timelines for the review.
CARRIED
MOTION CPS 05 - 08
Moved by: Councillor M. Fleury
WHEREAS Ottawa Markets (MSC) is an organization that
was created in January 2018, with the Council approval of the Revitalization of
the Byward and Parkdale Markets – New Management Model and Governance Structure
report (ACS2017-PIE-ED-0006);
WHEREAS the Planning, infrastructure and Economic
Development (PIED) 2019 Work Plan report (ACS2019-PIE-GEN-0002) includes
“Ottawa Markets By-law repeal”; and
WHEREAS Ottawa Markets (MSC) is expected to ask City
Council to repeal the ByWard Market By-law (2008-449, as amended) and the
Parkdale Market By-law (2008-448, as amended) in 2020 to replace it with
policies and procedures to be submitted by Ottawa Markets (MSC);
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the above-noted by-law
repeal be added to the 2019-2022 By-law Review Work Plan as an item for the
Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development department in Q4 2020, in
consultation with Legal Services, and representatives from Ottawa Markets
(MSC).
CARRIED
Moved by
Councillor McKenney (On behalf of Menard)
WHEREAS the
Vehicle-For-Hire By-law enacted by Council in 2016 prescribes a licensing regime
with accompanying regulations and standards for taxicabs, private
transportation companies (PTCs), and limousines; and
WHEREAS the
current model creates regulatory inequities among the various vehicle-for-hire
providers, which may result in a less regulated monopolistic market that will
not benefit residents;
WHEREAS the
current regulations regarding taxi plate issuance and taxi brokers create a
structure that is monopolistic and disfavours individual taxi plate holders and
taxi drivers; and,
WHEREAS the
working conditions of taxicab drivers and PTC drivers should also be taken into
consideration in the regulatory model; and,
WHEREAS
complaints have been received from the taxi industry regarding the challenges
and high costs of delivering taxicab services generally, and accessible taxicab
services in particular; and
WHEREAS the
accessible community is also dissatisfied with quality and availability of
on-demand accessible taxicab services; and,
WHEREAS a
comprehensive review of the regulatory model for vehicles-for-hire in the City
is required;
THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. The
Vehicle-For-Hire By-law (2016-272, as amended) be included on the 2019-2022
By-law Review Workplan for Emergency and Protective Services to enable a
comprehensive review of the regulatory model for taxis and private
transportation companies (PTCs) and to provide recommendations for
improvements, including but not limited to a review of the following: the
licensing regime and the regulation for the issuance of taxi plates, including
the number of plates to be issued and the processes for doing so; the role and
regulatory model for dispatching of calls and taxi brokers; the quality and availably
of on-demand accessible taxicab services; the efficacy of enforcement of PTC regulations
such as prohibitions on street hailing; and the need for driver training across
all licensed categories; and
2. BE IT
FURTHER RESOLVED THAT that work will begin in 2022 and staff will report back
with findings and recommendations in Q3 2024.
Councillor Menard noted
that due to comments from Committee members stating that they would not be
supporting the motion he asked that it be withdrawn.
WITHDRAWN
DIRECTION
TO STAFF
- Direct PIED
staff, in collaboration with Emergency and Protective Services and
Transportation Services staff, to consider the feasibility of a new ByWard
Market by-law that would include provisions such as the regulation of
noise, parking, encroachment, patios and private property signs for the
ByWard Market Public Realm report expected to be before Council in Q2
2020.
- Direct staff
to evaluate the feasibility of amending the Noise By-law, vis-à-vis the
provisions set out in the HTA, and include any potential amendments as
part of the minor amendment report outlined in the Bylaw Review Workplan.
That Community and Protective Services Committee
recommend Council approve:
1. That
the Director, Housing Services be delegated the authority to approve, and
submit to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, on a quarterly
basis, the City’s Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative Investment Plan
(COCHI) based on the details of the program and the spending plan outlined in
this report .
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2. That
the Director, Housing Services, be delegated authority to reallocate funding
from one Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative stream and component to
another within the same program year if the original planned commitment for
funding as outlined within the approved Plan cannot be met, and to obtain
Ministry approval for such reallocation where required, in keeping with the
process outlined within the report.
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3. That
in the event additional funding becomes available under the Canada-Ontario
Community Housing Initiative due to any reallocation by the Ministry, the
Director, Housing Services, be delegated authority to amend the Investment
Plan and allocate the additional funding in keeping with the process outlined
in this report.
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4. The
Director, Housing Services, be delegated authority to approve and submit the
City’s Canada-Ontario Community Housing Initiative Sustainability Plan to the
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, listing each funded capital repair
component project and demonstrating the long-term sustainability of the housing
provider receiving the funding;
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5. That
the Director, Housing Services be delegated the authority to allocate all
Canada Ontario Community Housing Investment funding provided such allocations
are in accordance with the provincial guidelines, the Investment Plan and the
priorities set out in this report.
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That
Community and Protective Services Committee recommend Council receive for
information purposes:
6. The
proposed changes by the Government of Ontario to the provincial Housing
Services Act, 2011.
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Shelley
VanBuskirk, Director, Housing and Lisa Goodfellow, Program Manager, Social
Housing responded to questions from Committee Members.
Councillor
Fleury inquired if it would be possible to do a flow chart of specific
housing funding over the last 5 years from the Federal, Provincial and City
of Ottawa. Shelley VanBuskirk stated that this could be done and would
follow up. This was not a formal direction, but a commitment from staff
nonetheless.
It was noted
that the department was under spending on rent supplements, but the buffer
was needed for rent increases etc.…
There are
various streams of funding, some for repairs which are badly needed. To each
of these streams there are terms and conditions associated with them that
must be followed so never easy to transfer funds to another project.
The report recommendations were put to Committee and
CARRIED and RECEIVED as presented.
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8.
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ACS2019-CSS-GEN-0011
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CITY WIDE
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DECLARATION OF INTEREST
I, Councillor Diane Deans, declared a potential, deemed indirect
pecuniary interest on the following item on Agenda 5 of the Community and
Protective Services Committee:
Item 8 - CHILD
CARE AND EARLY YEARS SERVICE SYSTEM PLAN 2019-2023 AND PROVINCIAL BUDGET UPDATE
as my
daughter works at the Centre Éducatif Tournesol Municipal Child Care Centre.
Councillor Deans
did not take part in the discussion on these items.
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That the Community and Protective Services Committee
recommend Council:
1. Approve
the Child Care and Early Years Service System Plan 2019 – 2023 (Document 1)
that establishes ten strategic priorities for the planning, management, and
delivery of licensed child care and early years programs and services and the
Funding Policy Statements (Document 2).
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2. Delegate
authority to the Manager, Children’s Services, to manage and administer the
budget as detailed in this report and allocate all funding according to the
Funding Policy Statements in Document 2 provided such allocations are in
accordance with provincial guidelines, the strategic priorities in the Child
Care and Early Years Service System Plan 2019-2023, and are within approved
budgets.
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Jason
Sabourin, Director, Children’s Services introduced the co-presenters:
• City:
Lynne Martinez, Program Manager, Child Care System Planning and Program
Support
• Community:
Sylvie Tourigny, Executive Director, Grandir Ensemble
• Community:
Mikki Adams, Executive Director, Inuuqatigiit Centre for Inuit Children,
Youth and Families
• Community:
Susan Mendelsohn, Director, CHEO Development and Rehabilitation
They spoke
to a PowerPoint presentation and a copy of the presentation is held on file
with the City Clerk’s office.
Following
the presentation, the Committee heard from the following delegation:
Tanya Nayler
– She noted that quality childcare builds skills for children and future
careers. Accessible, affordable childcare benefits everyone and this is
presently in crisis. There is a shortage of licensed placements and those
left many are spending almost a third of monthly salary on cost. As well the
chilcare workers are underpaid. She noted that the present provincial
government does not care.
Questions to
staff:
Councillor T.
Kavanagh commented that quality childcare is essential and Councillor Fleury
noted that through his own experience it really is unaffordable. There is a
need to lobby all levels of government.
There are 600
children on the waiting list but Jason Sabourin stated that with some
provincial funding these might diminish but only temporarily. Staff stated
that they would report back to committee if the backlog grows again.
It was also
noted that there is a need for more Francophone spaces and Jason Sabourin
stated that they are working with the Francophone community on this.
The report recommendations were put to Committee and
CARRIED as presented.
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A
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ACS2019-CSS-GEN-0009
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CITY WIDE
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B
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ACS2019-CCS-GEN-0044
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CITY WIDE
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Councillor J.
Sudds
Can staff
provide the following information?
- How many
hours have City of Ottawa paramedics lost in the community waiting to
offload patients at area hospitals in the first seven (7) months of 2019?
Does this figure represent an increase over 2018?
- What
measures have been implemented to reduce offload delays, and what actions
are being considered to return paramedics to the community more
expeditiously?
- How will
staff keep this committee apprised of developments on this important
issue?
The meeting
adjourned at 1:30 pm
Original
signed by Original signed by
M.
Desjardins Councillor
J. Sudds
_____________________________ _____________________________
Committee Coordinator Chair