Emergency and Community Services Committee

WHEREAS, the City of Hamilton 2022 Nutritious Food Basket Report shows that healthy eating is unaffordable for many Hamiltonians and their families and that healthy eating is deeply unaffordable for Hamiltonians receiving Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program Funding. WHEREAS, Food insecurity is a serious public health problem as individuals’ health and well-being are closely linked to their household food security. Because of its harmful effects on health, household food insecurity causes a large burden on the health care system WHEREAS, Among Ontarians who receive social assistance, approximately two- thirds (67.2%) reported food insecurity in 2021 WHEREAS, Ontario Works continues to operate with 2018 funding levels from the Province. Savings associated with the implementation of EST, EDM and other Social Assistance reforms have been consumed by inflationary pressures since these changes were implemented. WHEREAS, Ontario Works Hamilton has not experienced any savings from Centralized Intake, and in fact the decreased ratio of support from the intended Emergency & Community Services Committee February 16, 2023 Minutes 23-002 Page 2 of 16 50/50 cost share creates a 1.5M pressure for Ontario Works as shared with Council during the 2023 budget process. WHEREAS, the City of Hamilton continues to communicate that it is important that provincial funding contributions keep pace with municipal requirements until the full impact of Social Assistance Reform is communic

That the following Consent Items be received: (a) Urban Indigenous Strategy and Indigenous Relations Updates (HSC21001(a)) (City Wide) (Item 9.1) (b) Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Update (HSC22035(a)) (City-Wide) (Item 9.2) (c) Ontario Works and the Impacts of Provincial Social Assistance Reform (HSC23010) (City Wide) (Item 9.3) Emergency & Community Services Committee February 16, 2023 Minutes 23-002 Page 3 of 16 (d) Update on Health Partnerships to Pursue Increase to Permanent Supportive Housing Options (HSC23013) (City Wide) (Item 9.4) (e) Advisory Committee Minutes (Item 9.5) (i) Seniors Advisory Committee - September 9, 2022 (Item 9.5(a)) (ii) Seniors Advisory Committee - December 2, 2022 (Item 9.5(b)) (iii) Hamilton Veterans Committee - September 27, 2022 (Item 9.5(c)) (iv) Hamilton Veterans Committee - October 25, 2022 (Item 9.5(d)) (v) LGBTQ Advisory Committee - July 19, 2022 (Item 9.5(e)) (vi) LGBTQ Advisory Committee - November 22, 2022 (Item 9.5(f)) (vii) LGBTQ Advisory Committee Meeting Notes - December 20, 2022 (Item 9.5(g)) Result: Motion

That the City of Hamilton advocate to the Provincial Government through the Association of Municipalities of Ontario to resolve workforce issues such as adequate wages, benefits, and staff development in the childcare sector so that new programs under Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care can be opened locally. Result: Motion

That REVISED Report HSC22015(a) respecting a Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters Proposal be referred back to staff to work with the Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters on the establishment of an operational plan. Result: Main Motion as Amended,

That the income and asset limits for Rent Geared to Income assistance (RGI) eligibility and associated exclusions and conditions contained in Appendix “A” to Report HSC23004, be approved. Result: Motion

That the amending by-law attached as Appendix “A” to Report HSC22001(a) which amends the City of Hamilton Emergency Management Program By-law (By-law 22-005), and which has been prepared in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, be enacted and effective immediately. Emergency & Community Services Committee February 16, 2023 Minutes 23-002 Page 5 of 16 Result: Motion

(b) That statements issued by community groups on the passing Bekett Noble including, but not limited to those issued by, Hamilton Trans Health Coalition, The Hamilton Community Legal Clinic and the Queer Justice Project, and the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton be forwarded to the Clerk’s Office for inclusion on an upcoming Council Agenda. Result: Motion

That the agenda for the February 16, 2023 Emergency and Community Services Committee meeting be approved, as amended. Result: Motion

That the Minutes of the January 19, 2023 meeting of the Emergency and Community Services Committee, be approved, as presented. Result: Motion

That the following Delegation Requests, be approved, as presented: (i) Joanne Santucci, Hamilton Food Share, respecting the Status of Hamilton's Emergency Food System (for a future meeting) (Item 6.1) (ii) Ingrid Waisgluss, respecting Recreational Facilities (for a future meeting) (Item 6.2) Emergency & Community Services Committee February 16, 2023 Minutes 23-002 Page 8 of 16 (iii) Judith Bishop, Not-For-Profit Childcare Boards Collaborative, in Support of Item 9.2, Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Update (HSC22035(a)) (City-Wide) (for today's meeting) (Added Item 6.3) (iv) Elizabeth McGuire, Campaign for Adequate Welfare and Disability Benefits, respecting the Impacts of the 2022 Nutritious Food Basket and Social Assistance Rates (for today's meeting) (Added Item 6.4) Result: Motion

That the following Delegations, be received: (a) Dr. Sally Palmer, Hamilton Social Work Action Committee respecting the Impacts of the 2022 Nutritious Food Basket and Social Assistance Rates (Item 7.1) (b) Elizabeth McGuire, Campaign for Adequate Welfare and Disability Benefits, respecting the Impacts of the 2022 Nutritious Food Basket and Social Assistance Rates (Added Item 7.2) Emergency & Community Services Committee February 16, 2023 Minutes 23-002 Page 9 of 16 (c) Kevin Gonci, Golden Horseshoe Track & Field Council, respecting the 2023 ParticipACTION Community Challenge (Item 7.3) (d) Judith Bishop and Don Jaffray, Not-For-Profit Childcare Boards Collaborative, in Support of Item 9.2, Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Update (HSC22035(a)) (City-Wide) (Added Item 7.4) Result: Motion

That the recommendations in REVISED Report HSC22015(a)) respecting a Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters Proposal be amended by deleting them in their entirety and replacing them with the following: That REVISED Report HSC22015(a) respecting a Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters Proposal be referred back to staff to work with the Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters on the establishment of an operational plan. (b) That respecting the request for a City of Hamilton contribution to the Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters (HATS) Council approve an immediate contribution of $100 K for the period of January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 year to be funded from the projected 2022 Housing Services Division surplus or the Tax Stabilization Reserve #110046, if the division surplus is not realized; (ii) That funding as approved in recommendation (a) be based on the following conditions: (4) That staff be directed to work with HATS to identify and outline standards around performance metrics and outcomes as a condition of funding including, but not limited to: eligibility and entry criteria, gender- specific considerations including specific supports for women, trans-feminine, trans-masculine and non- binary individuals, identification of formalized community partnerships with health- and social service sectors, equity and inclusion, and demonstrated exits into safe permanent housing; and agreed upon by HATS for first year of operations; (5) Confirmation that matching funds have been received

That sub-section (a) of the Citizen Committee Report from the LGBTQ Advisory Committee entitled, In Response to the passing of Redeemer University LGBTQIA+ student Bekett Noble, be referred to the Senior Leadership Team and Legal Services to ensure that City protocols are being followed and that the recommendation can be enabled, with a report back to the Emergency and Community Services Committee: (a) That, going forward the City of examine any contractual agreement it holds with Redeemer University, including the permanent funding of institutions that benefit Redeemer University, focusing on adherence to the Protocol for Gender Identity and Gender Expression; Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Persons; and Emergency & Community Services Committee February 16, 2023 Minutes 23-002 Page 14 of 16 Result: Amendment

That the Update respecting Healthy and Safe Communities Support of Tenants at 1083 Main Street East, be received. Result: Motion

That the Closed Session Minutes of January 19, 2023, be approved, as presented. Result: Motion