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CITY OF VANCOUVER ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT |
Report Date: |
February 23, 2005 | |
Author: |
Erwin Nest | |
Phone No.: |
c/o 604.871.6371 | |
RTS No.: |
04927 | |
CC File No.: |
3055-1 | |
Meeting Date: |
March 17, 2005 |
TO: |
Standing Committee on Planning and Environment |
FROM: |
Advisory Committee on Diversity issues |
SUBJECT: |
Work Plans of Advisory Committee on Diversity Issues - 2005 |
That City Council receive this report for information
Following a review of the advisory bodies, the city council established the Advisory Committee on Diversity Issues in December, 2003. The committee was given a renewed mandate to enhance access and participation of diverse communities in city services, engage in outreach, act as a conduit for feedback from diverse communities, act as a resource for City staff doing public involvement; and advise council on matters affecting diverse communities.
The terms of reference require the committee to produce and submit a work plan outlining goals and objectives, which it desires to accomplish, in consultation with its council and staff liaisons.
The Advisory Committee on Diversity Issues is submitting its work plan for the current term, after extensive consultation and work.
The City Manager recommends that City Council receive the work plans of Advisory Committee on Diversity Issues -2005 for information.
There is no applicable Council Policy.
To provide Vancouver City Council with a report on the work plans for the Advisory Committee on Diversity Issues, 2004-2005
The Advisory Committee on Diversity Issues was established by City Council on December 11, 2003. The mandate of the Committee is to work to enhance access to full participation in City Services for Vancouver's diverse communities, including the multicultural, aboriginal and lesbian/gay/transgender/bisexual communities, and to identify and to suggest solutions to gaps and barriers that impede their full participation in all aspects of City life.
Under the Terms of Reference, the Committee is required to produce an annual work plan by no later than March of each year, in consultation with its council and staff liaisons, for distribution to Council and civic departments for information.
To fulfil the directions of the City Council, the Committee has been working to finalize its work plans. The Committee did not submit its work plan in March 2004, as the committee was newly formed at the time. It was also felt that the committee needed to have more information and a better insight into the strategic priorities that the City staff were engaged in, and to learn about the current policies and practices of the City.
The Committee has had an opportunity to obtain relevant information and has developed a more thorough understanding of the City's priorities. After consultation with the appropriate stakeholders, and in consultation with staff liaisons, the Committee has now developed a work plan that supports the current work of the City, and enhances the City's efforts in areas of public access, public participation and service delivery.
The Committee's work plans will focus on three key issues:
1. Access to the City's services by Vancouver's diverse communities and increased participation from specific communities in all aspects of City life
2. Increased opportunities for participation by diverse communities prior, during and after 2010 Olympics
3. Encouraging youth participation in civic and community life.
The Advisory Committee undertook an extensive exploration of issues and initiatives that the members of the Committee brought forward; and showed a keen interest to work on. With consensus of all members of the Committee, the three issues above were identified as top priority. Accordingly, the Chair established three separate task forces to define the purpose, issues and scope of a comprehensive work plan in each of the identified areas.
The final reports of the three task forces were presented back to the committee and finalized. The detailed reports of each of the three task forces are attached as an appendix to the report.
Each task force's report is summarized below:
1. Public Access to City's services by Vancouver's diverse communities and increased participation from specific communities in all aspects of City life:
Purpose:
The purpose of this Task Force is to recommend options for developing and implementing accessibility of the City's services for Vancouver's diverse communities and increased participation by specific communities in all aspects of City life.
Issues:
While the Task Force recognizes and commends City of Vancouver on its efforts and values, the task force believes that there is a continuing need to improve accessibility and participation from diverse communities, with special focus on including marginalized communities.
Work plan:
· The Task Force, in consultation with staff, will conduct a review of City's selected policies, programs and services with broad impact and significance for diverse communities. This review will be aimed at increasing and improving active and full participation of Vancouver's diverse communities; to remove potential barriers, and to increase individual/group's access to City programs, services, and funding.
· Task Force will identify gaps in services being delivered to the local communities
· Task force will explore ways to maximise impact of City's outreach initiatives such as conducting a survey to ascertain the most effective model and format to do outreach to the diverse communities.
· Task Force will suggest strategies and mechanisms to assist City staff to facilitate increased basic access for identified marginalized communities
· It will suggest ways to City staff to enhance participation by members of diverse communities.
Based on its work plan, the Task Force will present a set of recommendations to the council:
1. To enhance accessibility of services;
2. To increase active participation of diverse communities in public process; and
3. To increase participation by specific communities in all aspects of city life.
2. Task Force on 2010 Olympics:
Purpose:
The purpose of the 2010 Olympics Task Force is to recommend options for developing and implementing increased education, participation and collaboration by members of diverse communities in community building events prior, during and after the 2010 Olympics.
Issues:
The City of Vancouver is a multicultural city, with a great number of developments prior to, during and after 2010 Olympics. Although the Olympics will offer a number of advantages to the City, care must be taken to ensure that all Vancouver citizens have the opportunity to both contribute to the enhancement of, and benefit from the advantages and positive developments.
Accessibility, inclusion and cohesion are among key factor during the organizing phase of the game. While the Vancouver Bid took essential steps in ensuring the above factors are in place, now is the time to implement the proposed plans and policies in collaboration and consultation with like minded institutions and citizens who are committed to preservation, development and celebration of Vancouver's diversity.
Work plan:
· The Task Force will follow a series of steps to consult with City staff and representatives of diverse communities to draft a proposal to City Council suggesting the possibility of establishing a 2010 Unity in Diversity Forum ( short term goal);
· The forum will be responsible for studying the recommendations mentioned below as well as other important emerging issues (Long term goal):
1) youth and children's enrichment programs;
2) Participation of faith and cultural communities in services associated with the 2010 Olympics;
3) Impact of the 2010 Olympics on diverse populations in all geographic areas in Vancouver;
4) Social as well as economic development;
5) Empowerment Strategies ( including effective education and training);
6) Gay/ Lesbian rights education strategies as well as the strong messaging that we welcome people from all over the world;
7)Participation and inclusion of First Nations;
8) Means of inter-municipal collaboration; and
9)Diversity conscious communication and promotion strategy: Street Banner programs, TV /Radio/Internet Ads, newcomers publications, presentations, performances, murals etc.
Task Force on Youth and Diversity Issues:
Purpose:
The City of Vancouver seeks to implement a comprehensive plan to encourage youth participation in civic and community life. The purpose of the Task Force is to ensure that diversity issues are incorporated in all aspects of City's youth strategy.
Issues:
The Task Force hopes to focus on the following issues:
· Help existing municipal initiatives designed to increase youth in civic participation by enhancing their capacities to deal with diversity issues by helping them reach out to the broader community, and also, where appropriate, by advocating for them before Council;
· Build on existing community networks and resources to address diversity issues within the context of their activities directed at youth; and
· Enhance the City's ability to create a "zero-tolerance" environment for actions motivated by hate against communities in its youth strategy;
Work Plan:
· The Task Force identified its main challenge in achieving all three of its goals in that it has just begun to build relationships and dialogue with various municipal actors involved in implementing the City's youth strategy and programs. As such, the Task Force decided that it will focus on meeting with representatives from various stakeholder groups such as City's Child and Youth Advocate, representatives of Civic Youth Strategy, gather information, and develop more focused ways in which it can participate in the development of a City-wide youth strategy that is continually sensitive to diversity issues.
· To help focus its efforts, the Task Force will meet with representatives of the City's Olympic Youth Legacy program as a municipal initiative in which the Task Force could add the most value. The Olympic Youth Legacy program is one where the City will try to ensure that youth participate in the execution of the 2010 Olympic Games, but also that the games will provide a lasting contribution after the Games are over. This may include the maintenance of recreational and civic facilities, the establishment of funds to support the development of youth programs, or other potential legacies.
· The Task force will meet with Vancouver School Board representatives to discuss it's Social Responsibility Campaign
· Based on above information, the Task Force will present to the larger Committee a 2 year operational plan ( Long Term Goal)
The purpose of the above meetings will be to develop greater understanding of the Advisory Committee on Diversity Issues role in regard to youth issues, to develop or enhance relationships with stakeholders in this area, and to inquire into ways in which the Committee can use its unique position in the broader community to bring diversity youth issues and concerns to the attention of key municipal players.
There are no financial implications.
The Task Forces are moving ahead with the proposed work plan.
The Advisory Committee on Diversity Issues was established to advise City Council on matters which affect diverse communities by working collaboratively with City staff, relevant stakeholders and community at large.
In accordance with the directions of City Council, the Advisory Committee on Diversity Issues, through the work of three task forces, has identified three significant key issues on which it will focus its resources.
In the work plan, short term and long term goals have been outlined. While the task forces have commenced implementation on the short term goals, it is hoped that the reconstituted Committee in 2006 will find these directions helpful, and will be able to carry the vision and work done by this Committee.
The report is submitted for the information of the City Council.
- - - - -
Appendix A
Accessibility of the City's services for Vancouver's diverse communities and increased participation from specific communities in all aspects of City life.
Purpose:
The purpose of the project is to recommend options for developing and implementing accessibility of the City's services for the Vancouver's diverse communities and increased participation from specific communities in all aspects of City life.
Issue
The City of Vancouver is a city of diverse communities, which continues to evolve and grow as a result of changing demographics. The demographics are a consistent factor in developing the city and making the city liveable.
As a leading international city, there is an ever-increasing interest in making Vancouver a great city of communities which cares about its people, its environment and the opportunities to live work and prosper.
The City of Vancouver offers a wide range of services to the public and is committed to providing good service and good government equitably through public participation, internal improvement, and constructive external relations.
While we recognize and commend the City of Vancouver on its efforts and values, we believe that there is a demonstrable need to improve accessibility of the City's services for Vancouver's diverse communities. Services and programs can be viewed on a continuum ranging from
1. Provision of basic services, such as garbage, taxes, and parking tickets,
2. Recognizing and acknowledging the contributions of diverse communities in enriching the cultural mosaic of the city, such as gay Pride parade, Greek Fest, pot latch etc,
3. Providing opportunities for participation in the decision making process as it relates to the City issues
We suggest solutions to gaps and barriers that impede increased participation from specific communities in all aspects of City life.
Background
The current model for enhancing full participation and accessibility of city services is based on the belief that city staff need to work with local residents to ensure that the services being delivered to the community are relevant, appropriate and culturally sensitive, and meet the communities' present and future needs
With the coming of the Winter Olympics in 2010, we can anticipate that the pressure will mount within numerous departments as they seek to be fully responsive by listening to all people the City works with and serves, and to act in a timely and sensitive way.
Further, in addition to the City's efforts to enhance community and individual well-being - (social, economic, and physical) and providing quality service equitably there is a need to increase participation from diverse communities, including the multicultural, Aboriginal and lesbian/gay/transgender/bisexual communities in all public process and consultation, including representation on all civic agencies, boards and commissions.
In fulfilling these requests, staff time is often required - both in terms of planning/researching/facilitating the outreach and providing the requested information/meetings. As well, depending on the topic, the Mayor and, some or all of, Council may be involved. Further, the requests may necessitate the involvement of other City agencies.
The City requires a constant and innovative input on how to reach out and enhance public participation particularly from the marginalized groups. In accordance with the Diversity Issues committee's mandate, and its desire to provide assistance to facilitate above goals, the sub-committee on public access and participation proposes following work plan:
Work Plan:
1. That the Task Force will conduct a review of the City of Vancouver's selected policies, programs and services. For the purpose of this Task Force, it will select a few areas with broad impact and significance for diverse communities. The review will be aimed at increasing and improving active and full participation of Vancouver's diverse communities to the City of Vancouver, and to remove potential barriers and increase individual/group's access to City' programs/services/funding. Examples include:
The Task Force will identify ways and means to ensure representation from Vancouver's diverse communities on all City Advisory Committees, Panels and Boards. This may necessitate a review of the current make-up of committees and boards to see if it generally reflects Vancouver's 'diversity', and/or:
The Vancouver Park Board is currently reviewing their corporate strategic plan and it may be timely to see how that plan reflects inclusion of, or outreach to diverse communities, and /or:
A review of some of the current programs like Community Services Grants administered by the Social Planning Department, and services offered by a number of City Departments (Building and Development, Garbage and Recycling, Public Safety and Emergency) with the objective to remove potential barriers for groups/people who want to access the City's programs/services/funding.
2. That the Task Force will identify gaps in services being delivered to local communities
The Task Force, in consultation with City departments such as the City Clerk (including NIST and PIR), Social Planning, EEO, CityPlan Visions Program, and business groups such as Ethnocultural Business Council, Aboriginal Business Council, Gay and Lesbian Business Association, and NGO's such as Vancouver Aboriginal Council, VMS, AMSSA, Information Services, will identify gaps that exist to impede access to particular communities and identify where service delivery and participation could be enhanced.
3. That the Task Force will explore ways to maximize the impact of City's outreach initiatives, such as:
Conducting a survey to find out what is the best vehicle and format for the outreach. This may include consulting with ethnocultural and other media outlets that may be able to suggest other ways to reach their target communities; and/or:
Developing active liaison with the VSB by identifying who's responsible for outreach/communications and if there can be shared channels of reaching out to diverse communities, for example, through their Reception Centre which is responsible for all the multicultural liaison workers
4. That the Task Force will suggest strategies and mechanisms to assist City staff to facilitate increased access to basic services for identified marginalized groups. It will also suggest ways to enhance participation by members of diverse communities in decision making affecting the broad range of services offered by the City. Examples of suggested strategies include:
Identify communication strategies that will disseminate information effectively about services to all communities, and/or:
Encouraging City government to continue supporting community events through proclamations, parades, City Hall Lights program, and/ or
Encouraging City government to enhance provision of translated materials to facilitate dissemination of information, and enhance participation in decision making, and/or
Given that funding is mostly but not exclusively through grants (Community Services, Cultural, Capital, and Contingency Grants) and Council's own directives or initiatives, it may be suggested that special attention be given to:
1) Programs which include initiatives such as City Visions, Youth 2010, Block Watch.
2) Services ranging from recreation, libraries, City Hall info and referral, over the counter services, police and fire.
5. That Erwin Nest will chair the Task Force consisting of members Barbara Downs and Olga Shcherbyna.
Recommendations:
That the Task Force, based on it's work plan, will present a set of recommendations to council to enhance accessibility of services for active participation of diverse communities in public process and increased participation from specific communities in all aspects of city life
Tentative Deliverables/Timeline
Lead |
Date |
Status | |
Complete draft discussion paper for review/discussion and input by Steering Committee |
Erwin Nest |
July 31 |
In progress |
Complete final discussion paper and present to Diversity Issues Committee for discussion and approval. |
Erwin Nest |
September 1 |
|
Complete Council report containing recommendations and presentation to Council. |
Sub-committee |
Early 2005 |
|
TASK FORCE ON 2010 OLYMPICS
FINAL DRAFT OF 2004 ANNUAL WORK PLAN
(7 February 2005)
Purpose
The purpose of the work plan is to recommend options for developing and implementing increased education, participation and collaboration by member of diverse communities in community building events prior, during and after the 2010 Olympics.
Issues
The City of Vancouver is a multicultural city, with a great number of developments prior to, during and after the 2010 Olympics. Although the Olympics will offer a number of advantages to the city, care must be taken to ensure that all Vancouver citizens have the opportunity to both contribute to the enhancement of, and benefit from the advantages and positive developments that Vancouver and its sister communities will face over the foreseeable future.
Accessibility, inclusion and cohesion are among the key factors during the organizing phase of the Games. While the Vancouver Bid took essential steps in ensuring the above factors are in place, now is the time to implement the proposed plans and policies in collaboration and consultation with like-minded institutions and citizens who are committed to preservation and celebration of Vancouver's diversity.
While we recognize and commend the City of Vancouver on its efforts and values, we believe that there is a demonstrable need to improve communication and collaboration among members of diverse communities.
Background
The Commitment Statement lays the foundation for `sustainable socio-economic development in Vancouver's inner-city neighbourhoods, particularly in Downtown Eastside, Downtown South and Mount Pleasant.' The Statement also guarantees the incorporation of interests of various populations such as "aboriginals, women, youth, people with disabilities, people of colour, immigrants and other groups."
Such a vision calls for a solid approach to sustained participation by a wide range of citizens in all aspects of development over the next number of years.
In fulfilling these requests, staff time is often required - both in terms of planning/researching/facilitating the outreach and providing the requested information/meetings. As well, depending on the topic, the Mayor and, some or all of, Council may be involved. Further, the requests may necessitate the involvement of other City agencies involved with the 2010 Olympics.
The City requires a sustainable and multifaceted approach to invitation, consultation and participation of targeted groups in developments associated with the Olympics, prior, during and after 2010. It is in light of the above that the following work plan is proposed.
Work Plan:
That the Task Force will
1. Follow a series of steps to consult with city staff and representatives of diverse communities to draft a proposal to the City Council suggesting the possibility of establishing a 2010 Unity of Diversity Forum [Short Term Goal]
2. The proposed Forum will be responsible for studying the recommendations mentioned below as well as other important issues. [Long Term Goal]
The steps for the short term plan are as follows:
PHASE 1 - Early September 2004
On behalf of the Task Force, Tahirih informally consult in Baldwin, David Spence, Harold Rosen, Multifaith Action Society and Pritam Singh to seek interest in the overall idea and ask for contact names/addresses
Analyze findings from the consultation
Consult with representatives from other advisory committees
Draw conclusions to help crystallize the proposal before submission to the Council
[The above was accomplished. Everyone consulted was in favour of the idea and saw the need for it. Tahirih Danesh also came to know about another group working on creating an Inter-spiritual Centre, too, very much in favour of the Forum]
PHASE II - February 2005
Meet with responsible City and VanOC officials following consultations with Rajpal and Baldwin.
Identify 40-50 major faith, cultural, racial, age, and other diverse groups in Vancouver Arrange details for a consultation session (partially done by Klisala and Saeed in December 2004)
Send a letter of invitation to the consultation session
Follow with a call to the communities to get response to invitation letter
PHASE III - April 2005
Arrange details of hosting the session with City Staff and possibly VanOC officials Host consultation session
PHASE IV - May 2005
Consult on findings gathered at the session
Submit a report along with the possible suggestion to establish an on-going process such as the 2010 Unity in Diversity Forum to the City Council, in order to further enhance communication, cohesion and collaboration among diverse communities in preparation for the 2010 Olympics and beyond.
Top subjects the proposed Forum must explore, in light of diversity:
1. Youth as well as Children's enrichment programs
2. Participation of faith and cultural communities in services associated with the 2010 Olympics
3. Impact of the 2010 Olympics on diverse populations in all geographic areas in Vancouver
4. Social as well as economic development
5. Empowerment strategies (including effect education and training)
6. Gay/Lesbian rights education strategies as we welcome diverse peoples from around the world
7. Participation and inclusion of First Nations
8. Means of inter-municipal collaboration
9. Diversity-conscious communication and promotion strategy: Street Banner Programs, TV/Radio/Internet ads, Newcomers publications, presentations, performances, Murals, etc.
Tentative Deliverables/Timeline
Lead |
Date |
Status | |
Complete research, review and consultation: |
2010 Task Force members |
Sep `04 |
Completed |
Initiate arrangements for first Forum |
Task Force |
Feb `04 |
|
(Pending approval of proposal by the Committee). Send out invitations and arrange consultation session |
City Staff, Klisala, Sayeed, Tahirih |
April `05 |
|
Complete Council report containing recommendations and presentation to Council. |
Task Force |
May `05 |
Anti-racism/Diversity Education for Youth Task Force
Terms of Reference and Proposed Work Plan
Issue
The City of Vancouver seeks to implement a comprehensive plan to encourage youth participation in civic and community life. The Anti-racism/Diversity Education for Youth Task Force intends to ensure that diversity issues are incorporated in all aspects of the City's youth strategy.
Background
The City of Vancouver has undertaken a series of formal strategies and operational programs to help youth participate in the City's governance and programming. This includes the adoption of the Civic Youth Strategy (the "Youth Strategy"), the appointment of the Child and Youth Advocate, and the creation of the Youth Outreach Team.1
Meanwhile, the City of Vancouver has seen disturbing incidents of hate crime committed within the youth community and incidents at local high schools highlight those issues. The Task Force understands that such issues are best handled by the school board, who bears the legal responsibility and authority to address them as they see best. However, the Task Force believes that the City can play a role in recommending strategies and programs to the School Board which will help youth understand issues of diversity, harm motivated by hate, and ignorance of diversity.
The Task Force believes that its goals of helping diverse groups in the City understand each other, participate in the City's programs, and become fully participating members in City life are best addressed in the long run by helping youth in diverse communities. The reasoning is akin to a public policy of focusing on early childhood education and intervention. Resources spent in childhood and youth education return more in the long run than resources spent on resolving problems caused by people later in life.
The Task Force members met with City staff responsible for implementing the Youth Strategy, including Nadim Kara, Carol Ann-Young (early childhood development coordinator), Debbie Anderson (Youth Social Planner), and others to discuss how the Task Force could help develop the City's approach to youth by focusing on areas in which youth face barriers to municipal participation as well as barriers arising from their membership in diverse communities, be they communities based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and other marginalized groups.
Goals/Terms of Reference
The Task Force identified the following goals that it intends to pursue:
· Help existing municipal initiatives designed to increase youth in civic participation by enhancing their capacities to deal with diversity issues both by helping them reach out to the broader community, but also, where appropriate, by advocating for them before Council;
· Build on existing community networks and resources to address diversity issues within the context of their activities directed at youth;
· Enhance the City's ability to create a "zero-tolerance" environment for actions motivated by hate against communities in its youth strategy;
The Task Force identified its main challenge in achieving all three of its goals in that it has just begun to build relationships and dialogue with various municipal actors involved in implementing the City's youth strategy and programs. As such, the Task Force decided that it will focus on meeting with representatives from various stakeholder groups, gather information, and develop more focused ways in which it can participate in the development of a City-wide youth strategy that is continually sensitive to diversity issues.
To help focus its efforts, the Task Force identified the City's Olympic Youth Legacy program as a municipal initiative in which the Task Force could add the most value. The Olympic Youth Legacy program is one where the City will try to ensure that youth participate in the execution of the 2010 Olympic Games, but also that the games will provide a lasting contribution after the Games are over. This may include the maintenance of recreational and civic facilities, the establishment of funds to support the development of youth programs, or other potential legacies.
Objectives
The sub-committee intends to achieve the following objectives before the end of its current mandate.
Deliverables/Timeline
The following activities will be held between January and May of 2005: |
Meet with Sheila Davidson, Child & Youth Advocate |
Meet with representatives of the Olympic Youth Legacy program |
Meet with VSB representatives to discuss social responsibility campaign |
Meet with Civic Youth Strategy staff and representatives to develop proposed action plan for following year |
Propose to Committee 2 year operational plan. |
The purpose of the meetings will be to develop greater understanding of the Diversity Committee's role in regard to youth issues, to develop or enhance relationships with stakeholders in this area, and to inquire into ways in which the Diversity Committee can use its unique position in the broader community to bring diversity youth issues and concerns to the attention of key municipal players.
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