HomeMy WebLinkAboutCL 33-02
Citlf o~
REPORT TO THE
Finance & Operations Committee
Report Number: 33-02
Date: September 20, 2002
From:
Bruce Taylor
City Clerk
Subject:
Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001
- Accessibility Advisory Committee
File: A-11 001 L-11 00
Recommendation:
1.
That Report CL 33-02, regarding the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001, be
received for information.
Executive Summary: The Advisory Committee on Race Relations and Equity was
established by Resolution on May 28, 1990. The Committee is comprised of a variety
of representatives including one member of Council, staff and other persons from our
community. To further Council's commitment to meeting the needs of our community,
in October 2000 Council expanded the mandate of the Race Relations Committee to
incorporate "equity" and the membership was expanded to include representatives from
our disabled and seniors' community.
The Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 requires the Municipality to establish an
Accessibility Advisory Committee with specific duties. According to the Act, the
Advisory Committee must be proclaimed by September 30, 2002, and a majority of the
members of the committee shall include persons with disabilities.
Staff and the Race Relations and Equity Committee have assessed the Committee's
Mandate and Terms of Reference in consideration of the requirements of the Act. The
Committee and staff concur that Council demonstrated leadership in addressing equity
in 2000 and through that initiative have met the requirements under the Act.
Financial Implications:
N/A
Background: The Multicultural and Race Relations Advisory Committee was
established by Resolution #67/90, Item #10, passed on May 28,1990. In October 2000
the Committee's Mandate was expanded by Resolution #128/00, to include "equity".
The Committee is comprised of a variety of representatives including one member of
Report #33-02
Date: September 20, 2002
Subject: Ontarians With Disabilities Act, 2001
Page 2
Council and three non-elected persons who are appointed by Council. The balance of
the Committee is comprised of persons appointed by various agencies such as the
Durham District School Board, the Durham Catholic District School Board, the Durham
Police Services, the Ajax/Pickering Social Development Council and the Ontario Race
Relations Directorate. In 2000, Council authorized the elected representative to appoint
membership from the disabled and senior's community and to invite each Pickering
secondary school to appoint representation from the student body as members of the
Committee.
On December 14, 2001, the Ontarians with Disabilities Act received Royal Assent. The
Act requires the City to establish an Accessibility Advisory Committee. According to the
Act, the Accessibility Advisory Committee must be proclaimed by September 30, 2002,
and a majority of the members of the Committee shall include persons with disabilities.
The duties of the committee include:
. Shall advise Council in each year about preparation, implementation and
effectiveness of its accessibility plan; and
. advise Council on the accessibility for persons with disability to a building,
structure or premise, or part of a building, structure or premises, that Council
purchases, constructs, renovates, leases or which is provided to the Municipality
as a capital facility; and
. review site plans & drawings described in Section 41 of the Planning Act; and
. all other functions identified in the Regulations.
On August 26, 2002 staff members from Culture & Recreation, Clerk's, Human
Resources, Customer Care Centre, and Planning & Development met with Councillor
Ryan, as the Chair of the Race Relations & Equity Committee, to discuss the
requirements of the Act. The group reviewed the Mandate and Terms of Reference of
the Race Relations and Equity Committee and assessed the Committee's role in our
community, in consideration of the requirements of an advisory committee required
under the Act. Given that the Race Relations and Equity is a strong and viable
Committee and given that their mandate and membership is consistent with the intent
of the Act, the group concluded that the Mandate of this Committee satisfies the
requirements of the Act.
On September 11, 2002 the Race Relations and Equity Committee discussed the
requirements of the Act and resolved that their mandate is consistent with the intent of
the Act. To ensure compliance with the requirements of the Act, the Committee
resolved to establish a sub-committee, which will be charged with the duties and
responsibilities of the Accessibility Advisory Committee under the Act. The Committee
agreed that a maximum of 12 community representatives would sit on the sub-
committee, and membership selection would be based on recommendations from
various agencies. Additionally, the school boards will be contacted to seek a disabled
student representative.
Report #33-02
Date: September 20, 2002
Subject: Ontarians With Disabilities Act, 2001
Page 3
Attachments:
N/A
Prepared By:
c.Æ{~
Supervisor, Legislative Services
Approved I Endorsed By:
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hruce Taylor /" ..
City Clerk
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Attachments
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Recommended for the consideration of
Pickering City Council