Minutes

Age-Friendly Brampton Advisory Committee

The Corporation of the City of Brampton

Tuesday, November 03, 2020

7:00 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

Council Chambers - 4th Floor, City Hall - Webex Electronic Meeting

Members Present:

• Saad Ali (Co-Chair)
• Bob Pesant (Co-Chair)
• City Councillor D. Whillans
• City Councillor C. Williams
• Umar Javed
• Angela Johnson
• Sushil Ninawat
• Elizabeth Pike
• Sonya Singh
• Vidhi Bhatt, Brampton Multicultural Youth Council
• Sandra Fitzpatrick, Manager, Region of Peel Public Health
• Peter Howarth (CARP)
• Laura Tribble, Advisor, Peel Housing Services
• Alexa Roggeveen, Sheridan College, Social Service Worker, Gerontology

Members Absent:

• City Councillor J. Bowman
• Tony Brookes
• Milagros Caballes
• Ron Feniak
• Frank Lodhar
• Aisha Mian, Peel Senior Link
• Myrna Adams, Brampton Seniors Council
• Rodrigo Merio, Brampton Multicultural Community Centre
• Jyoti Shukla, Community Impact Manager, United Way

Staff Present:

• Daniella Balasal, Policy Planner
• Yvonne Sinniah, Mgr, Strategic Comm Dev & Prtnrships
• Frances Bradshaw, Sr Advisor, Special Projects, Mayor's Office
• Chandra Urquhart, Legislative Coordinator

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1.

Call to Order

Note: In consideration of the current COVID-19 public health orders prohibiting large public gatherings of people and requirements for physical distancing between persons, in-person attendance at this Committee of Council meeting was limited and physical distancing was maintained in Council Chambers at all times during the meeting.

The meeting was called to order at 7:08 a.m. and adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

As this meeting was conducted with electronic participation by Members of the Committee, the meeting started with the City Clerk calling the roll for attendance at the meeting.

2.

Approval of Agenda

• AFC007-2020

  That the agenda for the Age-Friendly Brampton Advisory Committee meeting of November 3, 2020, be approved as published.

  Carried

3.

Declarations of Interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act

Nil

4.

Previous Minutes

4.1

Minutes - Age-Friendly Brampton Advisory Committee - January 21, 2020

The minutes were considered by Planning and Development Committee on March 9, 2020 and approved by Council on March 11, 2020.  The minutes are provided for Committee’s information.

5.

Presentations\Delegations

5.1

Presentation by Daniella Balasal, Policy Planner, re: Mayor’s COVID-19 Seniors Support Task Force

Daniella Balasal, Policy Planner, provided a presentation on the Mayor's COVID-19 Seniors Support Task Force. The following was highlighted: 

• Overview of the available seniors' supports and key milestones achieved
  • assistance to seniors experiencing social isolation
  • mental health and well-being supports
  • grocery deliveries and supply distribution
  • Help Your Neighbour” campaign
• Linkages between task force activities and Brampton’s Age-Friendly action items

In response to questions from Committee regarding the grocery delivery program, staff advised that the program is continuing through referrals by contacting Service Brampton 311 and information is also available on the City's website.

The following motion was considered:

• AFC008-2020

  That the presentation by Daniella Balasal, Policy Planner, to the Age-Friendly Brampton Advisory Committee meeting of November 3, 2020, re: Mayor's COVID-19 Seniors Support Task Force be received. 

  Carried

5.2

Presentation by Yvonne Sinniah, Manager, Strategic Community Development and Program Partnerships, re: Mayor's COVID-19 Youth Support Task Force

Yvonne Sinniah, Manager, Strategic Community Development and Program Partnerships, provided a presentation entitled Mayor's COVID-19 Youth Support Task Force.  The following was noted:

• Mandate of the task force was to provide youth (14-29) the supports, resources, necessary social engagement and virtual activities to remain active and entertained
• Working relationship with the school boards and the Region of Peel to provide youth access to mental health, continued learning opportunities, employment and financial resources
• Next steps include continued efforts to provide free virtual programs and events by the City and external organizations

The following motion was considered:  

• AFC009-2020

  That the presentation by Yvonne Sinniah, Manager, Strategic Community Development and Partnerships, to the Age-Friendly Brampton Advisory Committee meeting of November 3, 2020, re: Mayor's COVID-19 Youth Task Force be received.

  Carried

6.

Reports / Updates

6.1

Verbal update by Daniella, Balasal, Policy Planner, re:

• City of Brampton’s New Horizon’s Seniors Grant Application – “Staying Connected” – a video resource
• Age-Friendly Implementation – Progress Reporting

Daniella Balasal, Policy Planner, provided updates on the following:

• Seniors Grant Application – “Staying Connected” – a video resource
  • proposal was submitted to the Federal government for funding of $25,000 for the development of a video resource for seniors that will provide practical ways to stay connected - will be available on the City's website
  • decision on funding will be announced on February/March 2021 
• Age-Friendly Implementation – Progress Reporting
  • focus on the needs of youth and creation of youth hubs
  • continuing to update the reporting chart that will feed in a recommendation report to Council
  • working with Cultural Services Group for funding through the Advance Brampton Fund program to identify the applications in the Age-Friendly strategy that requires funding to address key needs
  • update on work being undertaken by planning staff on community hubs will be provided at future meetings

7.

Other/New Business / Information Items

7.1

Verbal Advisory from the City Clerk's Office, re: Resignation of Ron Feniak, Member, Age-Friendly Brampton Advisory Committee

Chandra Urquhart, Legislative Coordinator, advised that member, Ron Feniak, has submitted his resignation from the Age-Friendly Brampton Advisory Committee. He expressed thanks to the members, staff and the City for providing him the opportunity to serve on the Committee describing his experience as invaluable.

The following motion was considered:

• AFC010-2020

  1. That the verbal advisory from the City Clerk's Office, to the Age-Friendly Brampton Advisory Committee meeting of November 3, 2020, re: Resignation of Ron Feniak, Member, Age-Friendly Brampton Advisory Committee be accepted; and,

  2. That the City Clerk take the necessary steps to fill the vacancy in accordance with Clerks Office procedures.
  

  Carried

7.2

Verbal update from Frances Bradshaw, Sr Advisor, Special Projects, Mayor's Office, re: The Mayor’s Youth Council

Frances Bradshaw, Senior Advisor, Special Projects, Mayor's Office, and staff lead for the Mayor's Youth Advisory Council, advised that the Youth Council will be partnering with an organization named 'Take a Stand' to participate in a student-led initiative that allows students to engage and discuss the state of their democracy. Inclusion, equity and diversity are the focus of the initiative and students will gain volunteer hours for their participation. 

Ms. Bradshaw will forward the link to the organization to the City Clerk's Office to be shared with the members.

7.3

Committee discussion, re: Age-Friendly Committee Call To Action - Short List of Potential Action Items

Daniella Balasal, Policy Planner, reminded Committee of an informal discussion with some members prior to COVID-19 to discuss the opportunity for participation in the advancement of some of the action items. 

Peter Howarth, member, referenced the action list of items and was of the opinion that the items should be advanced by various staff across the City.  His perspective of role of the Committee was to function in an advisory capacity and the creation of sub-committees at this point to advance the action items will not be effective. He noted willingness to function as an ambassador for the Committee. 

Committee discussion and comments on this matter included the following:

• The need for a discussion on the action list of items and the direction to be pursued 
• Support for the comments provided that the role of the Committee is to function in an advisory capacity 
• Suggestion that updates are required from staff on the status of the action items in order to act as an ambassador for the Committee

A motion was put forward to defer the item to the next Committee meeting in January 2021. 

Committee discussion followed and it was suggested that clarification was required from staff on the role of the Committee.  

In response to the comments provided by Committee, Ms. Balasal advised that some alternate scenarios on the future role of the Committee, and options and recommendations with respect to the action items can be provided.  

 A second motion was put forward to request staff to report back on the role of the Committee with respect to advancement of the age-friendly action items. 

The motion in its entirety was considered as follows:

• AFC011-2020

  1. That staff report back on the role and function of the Age-Friendly Brampton Advisory Committee as it relates to the advancement of the priorities and implementation of the action items in the Age-Friendly Strategy; and,

  2. That the Age-Friendly Committee Call To Action - Short List of Potential Action Items be included in the report to Committee on January 2021.

  Carried

8.

Correspondence

Nil

9.

Question Period

Nil

10.

Public Question Period

The public was given the opportunity to submit questions via e-mail to the City Clerk’s Office regarding any decisions made under this section of the agenda.

No questions were received.

11.

Adjournment

• AFC012-2020

  That the Age-Friendly Brampton Advisory Committee do now adjourn to meet again in January 2021.

  Carried