Draft Minutes
of the March 16, 2023
MANITOULIN-SUDBURY DSB BOARD MEETING
Present: Kevin Burke, Bruce Killah, Denise Portelance-Godin, Jim Cahill, Al MacNevin, Ryan Bignucolo, John Deforge, Angela Kelly, Ken Duplessis, Ned Whynott, Rob Campbell, Vern Gorham, Roger Landry, David Santi
Regrets: None
Staff:Donna Stewart, Lori Clark, Connie Morphet, Paul Myre, Lora Wahamaa, Jim Kroesen
1.0 CALL TO ORDER
Introductions – New Temporary EA, round table introduction.
2.0 Declarations of Conflict of Interest
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
3.0 Closed Session
Resolution 23-24
Moved by: Ryan Bignucolo
Seconded by: Kevin Burke
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board move into closed session at 10:05 a.m.
Carried
Resolution No. 23-25
Moved by: Roger Landry
Seconded by: Al MacNevin
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board adjourn this closed session at 10:10 a.m. and move to the regular Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB Board meeting.
Carried
Draft Minutes
of the March 16, 2023
MANITOULIN-SUDBURY DSB BOARD MEETING
Present: Kevin Burke, Bruce Killah, Denise Portelance-Godin, Jim Cahill, Al MacNevin, Ryan Bignucolo, John Deforge, Angela Kelly, Ken Duplessis, Ned Whynott, Rob Campbell, Vern Gorham, Roger Landry, David Santi
Regrets: None
Staff: Donna Stewart, Lori Clark, Connie Morphet, Paul Myre, Lora Wahamaa
Media: N/A
1.0 CALL TO ORDER
Bruce Killah called the meeting to order at 10:17 am.
2.0 Land Acknowledgement
We begin this meeting by acknowledging that we are all on land that has been inhabited by Anishnawbek Nations for 10’s of thousands of years.
We’d like to acknowledge that we are here in the Robinson-Huron Treaty territory and the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and we would like to give thanks for sharing this land in order for us to continue in our work.
Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Anishnabek nations from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to unite, live, work and play on this land.
3.0 Adoption of Agenda
Resolution 23-24
Moved by: Ryan Bignucolo
Seconded by: Kevin Burke
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Agenda be adopted.
Carried
4.0 Declarations of Conflict of Interest
There were no declarations of a conflict of interest.
5.0 Adoption of Minutes
Resolution No 23-27
Moved by: Vern Gorham
Seconded by: Ned Whynott
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Minutes of the February 16, 2023, board meeting be approved as presented.
Carried
6.0 Committee Meetings
6.1 Program Planning
The Program Planning Committee met March 15, 2023
Kevin Burke gave the Board a brief update on what was discussed at the meeting.
6.1.1 Ontario Works Service Plan Addendum 2023
Lori Clark, Director of Integrated Human Services walked the Board through the Ontario Works Service Plan Addendum 2023.
Historically, the Ministry required all service system managers submit an Ontario Works Service Plan every 2-years.
The Ministry acknowledges that, given the upcoming changes to Social Assistance because of Employment Services Transformation, many delivery sites would not have 2 years to achieve planned outcomes and has therefor requested a 1-year service plan addendum which builds on the 2021 2-year service plan.
Staff will continue to update the board as they are phased into the transformation. The province’s new social assistance vision aligns with the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB’s integrated approach as our staff have in-depth knowledge of all DSB programs and local community programs to help support life stabilization for the client.
Lori gave a brief overview of our the sections of the 2023 service plan addendum.
Resolution No 23-28
Moved by: Angela Kelly
Seconded by: Roger Landry
WHEREAS the Program Planning Committee has reviewed the Ontario Works Service Plan Addendum 2023 and is recommending approval to the Board;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board accept the Program Planning Committees recommendation and approve the Ontario Works Service Plan Addendum 2023 and direct staff to action the recommendations in the report.
Carried
6.1.2 Community Housing Policies
Policy 2.3 Centralized Waiting List and Tenant Selection
Lori Clark, Director of Integrated Human Services, walked the Board through the
Community Housing Policy 2.3, Centralized Waiting List and Tenant Selection.
Staff proposed a revision to the Community Housing Policy 2.3, Centralized Waiting List and Tenant Selection.
Language throughout the procedure has been updated to reflect current practice and staff title changes.
The DSB is looking to update the Market Rent Income Limits for any new acquisitions or construction.
Staff are requesting that the board approve this policy change effective April 1, 2023.
Resolution No. 23-29
Moved by: David Santi
Seconded by: Ned Whynott
WHEREAS the Program Planning Committee has reviewed the Community Housing Policy 2.3, titled Centralized Waiting List and Tenant Selection and is recommending approval to the Board; and
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board accept the Program Planning Committees recommendation to approve the revised Community Housing Policy 2.3, titled Centralized Waiting List and Tenant Selection effective April 1, 2023.
Carried
7.0 New Business
7.1 CAO 2022 Fourth Quarter Activity Report
Donna Stewart, CAO, walked the board through the 2022 CAO Fourth Quarter Report. This report will be shared with all 18 member municipalities and board members who are encouraged to add it to Council agenda packages.
Resolution No. 23-30
Moved by: Al MacNevin
Seconded by: Ryan Bignucolo
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the 2022 CAO Fourth Quarter Activity Report be approved as presented.
Carried
7.2 2022 Fourth Quarter Unaudited Financial Report
Connie Morphet, Director of Finance & Administration, walked the Board through the 2022 Fourth Quarter Unaudited Financial Report, which is forecasting a year-end surplus of $752,164.
Resolution No. 23-31
Moved by: Jim Cahill
Seconded by: Rob Campbell
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the 2022 Fourth Quarter Unaudited Financial Report be approved as presented.
Carried
7.3 Ministry of Education
7.3.1 Ontario’s Early Years and Child Care Annual Report Letter
Ontario’s Early Years and Child Care Annual Report 2022
Lori Clark, Director of Integrated Human Services, provided an overview of Ontario’s Early Years and Child Care Annual Report 2022 and the DSB Specific Profile
The report is intended to help with understanding the child care and early years system. The data is collected directly from child care providers.
While the system continues to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been encouraging movement with an increase of 8,459 licensed child care spaces 2021-22 across Ontario.
As of November 1, 2022, 92% of licensed programs in Ontario have opted-in to the CWELCC system. In the Manitoulin-Sudbury District, we have a 100% opt-in rate and are well on our way to meeting the target of an average of $10/day fees for eligible children.
Since 2012-13 the number of licensed childcare centres in Ontario has increased by 10%. In the Manitoulin-Sudbury District, the number of spaces has increased by 72% since 2012-13 and the number of centres has increased by 36% for the same period.
The profiles also include EarlyON data. As of March 2022, there were 969 EarlyON Child and Family Centres, across Ontario, of which 611 were main sites and 358 were mobile/satellite sites.
In the Manitoulin-Sudbury District, there are 4 main sites and 12 mobile/satellite sites. Virtual programming is offered for both Manitoulin and Lacloche. French-language programming is offered in Sudbury North, Lacloche and Sudbury East, Indigenous-led programming is offered throughout the district, the main sites all offer extended hours (evening and weekend).
7.3.2 Reflecting on Black History Month
Lori Clark, Director of Integrated Human Services shared an MEDU memo that was shared with Service System Managers and sent to Child Care Licensees.
The memo highlights the wonderful work that child care programs were doing in the month of February to celebrate Black History Month.
The Ministry has encouraged this important work to continue not only in the month of February but throughout the year.
7.4 Community Engagement to Address Food Insecurity
Lori Clark, Director of Integrated Human Services provided a overview of a letter to Premier Ford from Public Health Sudbury and Districts which included a resolution that highlights the need to prioritize food security and shift the focus from food charity to income-based solutions and outlines the health consequences of food insecurity (including physical health, mental health and the ability to lead productive lives).
Staff proposed a resolution supporting the call on the provincial government to incorporate local food affordability findings in determining adequacy of social assistance levels.
Resolution No. 23-32
Moved by: Ken Duplessis
Seconded by:John Deforge
WHEREAS food insecurity means inadequate or insecure access to food because of financial constraints.
WHEREAS the health consequences of food insecurity have serious adverse effects on people’s physical and mental health and the ability to lead productive lives.
WHEREAS the health consequences of food insecurity are a significant burden on our province’s healthcare and social service system. Income-based policies that effectively reduce food insecurity offset considerable public expenditures on healthcare and social services in Ontario by reducing demands on these services and reducing costs.
WHEREAS the Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts in recognition of the root causes of food insecurity, call on the provincial government to incorporate local food affordability findings in determining adequacy of social assistance levels; and
WHEREAS the Board of Health reaffirm its support for the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) resolutions A18-02 (Minimum Wage that is a Living Wage) and A15-04 (Basic Income Guarantee);
WHEREAS the Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts intensify its work with relevant area agencies and community groups, and municipalities to shift the focus of food insecurity initiatives from food charity to income-based solutions, including but not limited to the sharing of data and evidence-based income solutions;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB supports the call on the provincial government to incorporate local food affordability findings in determining adequacy of social assistance levels; and
AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this motion be sent to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services; and the Minister of Health; and to local members of parliament; and to Public Health Sudbury & Districts; and
AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this motion be sent to the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB member municipalities for endorsement and support via Council resolutions.
Carried
8.0 Other Business
8.1 NOSDA Members Supporting AMO Call to Action on Homelessness
2023 AMO Provincial Pre-Budget Submission
AMO’s Key Messages on Housing and Homelessness for Discussions with MPPs
Donna Stewart, Chief Administrative Officer shared that the Association of Municipalities Ontario released a pre-budget submission calling attention to the housing and homelessness crisis.
AMO has issued a call to action to support its campaign to call on the provincial government to commit to comprehensive and collaborative action to prevent, reduce and ultimately, end homelessness in Ontario.
AMO is encouraging municipal associations (like NOSDA, NOMA and FONOM), DSSAB Boards and all municipal councils in Ontario to adopt and send a resolution to Premier Ford and cabinet ministers (MMAH, MCCSS, MOH). Local MPP’s can also be copied along with AMO. It is ideal to send this in February or March before the upcoming provincial budget.
The policy update with a link to the Pre-Budget submission and the call-to-action documents are all found on the AMO website and board packages.
Resolution No. 23-33
Moved by: Angela Kelly
Seconded by: Vern Gorham
WHEREAS the homeless crisis is taking a devastating toll on families and communities, undermining a healthy and prosperous Ontario;
WHEREAS the homelessness crisis is the result of the underinvestment and poor policy choices of successive provincial governments;
WHEREAS homelessness requires a range of housing, social service and health solutions from government;
WHEREAS homelessness is felt most at the level of local government and the residents that they serve;
WHEREAS municipalities and District Social Administration Boards are doing their part, but do not have the resources, capacity or tools to address this complex challenge; and,
WHEREAS leadership and urgent action is needed from the provincial government on an emergency basis to develop, resource, and implement a comprehensive plan to prevent, reduce and ultimately end homelessness in Ontario.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board calls on the Provincial Government to urgently:
AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this motion be sent to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing; the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services; and the Minister of Health; and to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and to local members of parliament.
AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this motion be sent to the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB member municipalities for endorsement and support via Council resolutions.
Carried
8.2 NOSDA Annual General Meeting – June 20 – 22, 2023 (Thunder Bay)
Bruce Killah, Board Chair and Vern Gorham, Board Vice Chair will be attending.
9.0 Next Meeting – April 20, 2023
10.0 Adjournment
Resolution No. 23-34
Moved by: Al MacNevin
Seconded by: Denise Portelance-Godin
BE IT RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 10:55 a.m. until the next regular meeting to be held on April 20, 2023.
Carried
Original Approved by Board Chair -
Original Approved by CAO -
