SOCIAL PLANNING COMMITTEE

MINUTES

An Open meeting of the Social Planning Committee was held in the Cafeteria, Burnaby City Hall, 4949 Canada Way, Burnaby, B.C. on Wednesday, 2016 September 14 at 6:00 p.m.

1.

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT:

ABSENT:

STAFF:

Councillor Nick Volkow, Chair

Councillor Anne Kang, Vice Chair

Councillor James Wang, Member (arrived at 6:54 p.m.)

Trustee Baljinder Narang, School Board Representative

Ms. Lubna Abdelrahman, Citizen Representative

Ms. Noreen Boudreau, Citizen Representative

Mr. Ryan Erwin, Citizen Representative (arrived at 6:16 p.m.)

Mr. Frank Huang, Citizen Representative (arrived at 6:10 p.m.)

Ms. Mary Lumby, Citizen Representative

Mr. Shiraz Nathwani, Citizen Representative

Ms. Laarni de los Reyes, Citizen Representative

Ms. Peggy Woodruff, Citizen Representative

Mr. William Tsai, Citizen Representative

Mr. Craig Collis, Assistant Director – Recreation

Ms. Margaret Manifold, Senior Social Planner

Ms. Carla Schuk, Planner 2

Ms. Blanka Zeinabova, Administrative Officer

Ms. Nikolina Vracar, Administrative Officer

The Chair called the Open meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.

2.

MINUTES

A)

Minutes of the Social Planning Committee

Open meeting held on 2016 June 01          

MOVED BY councillor kang

SECONDED BY ms. boudreau

THAT the minutes of the Social Planning Committee Open meeting held on 2016 June 01 be adopted.                                                                               

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

DELEGATION

MOVED BY ms. boudreau

SECONDED BY trustee narang

THAT the delegation be heard.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

A)

Barrier-Free BC

Re: British Columbians with Disabilities Act

Speakers: Rob Sleath, Spokesperson

 Janet Hanevelt

Mr. Rob Sleath, representing Barrier-Free BC, appeared before the Committee providing information on the need for a strong and effective British Columbians with Disabilities Act.

The speaker noted that approximately 604,000 British Columbians with disabilities face unfair accessibility barriers in areas that the Provincial Government can regulate, i.e. public transit, education, public parks and playgrounds, library services, health care, retail outlets, restaurants, recreation facilities, entertainment venues and workplaces.  The enactment of the Act would provide authority for the Provincial Government to do all it can to ensure that persons with disabilities can live in British Columbia that is accessible and barrier-free.

*Mr. Erwin arrived at the meeting at 6:16 p.m.

Mr. Sleath advised that he is looking for support from the Committee and Council for two resolutions that will be before the Union of BC Municipalities this September, and to pass a motion in favour of Barrier-Free BC.  The speaker noted that a number of organizations as well as over 60 municipalities support this campaign, which is driven strictly by volunteer supporters from across BC.

It was noted that the Federal Government has launched Canada-wide consultations  with the aim  of introducing  the Canadians  with  Disabilities Act.

Ontario and Manitoba already have disability legislation, and Nova Scotia will introduce legislation later this year.  The speaker noted that in 2014, the BC Government introduced the “Accessibility 2024” initiative; however, this initiative is not legislated or mandated.

In conclusion, Mr. Sleath referred to 13 principles upon which British Columbians with Disabilities Act should be based. 

The Chair conveyed thanks to Mr. Sleath for the very informative presentation noting he will be attending the UBCM and supporting this resolution.  In addition, the Chair encouraged the speaker to appear as a delegation before Council in the future.

4.

CORRESPONDENCE

MOVED BY trustee narang

SECONDED BY mr. nathwani

THAT the correspondence be received.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

A)

Memorandum from the City Clerk

Re: Citizen Appointment to the Social Planning Committee -Ms. Lubna Abdelrahman                                                            

A memorandum was received from the City Clerk advising that Council, at the Open Council meeting held on 2016 June 27, appointed Ms. Lubna Abdelrahman as a citizen representative on the Social Planning Committee for a three (3) year term.

B)

Memorandum from the Administrative Officer

Re: Allocation of Space at Holdom Community Resource Centre                                                                                     

A memorandum was received from the Administrative Officer advising that Council, at the Open Council meeting held on 2016 June 13, adopted the report proposing an allocation of non-profit office/program space (570 square feet - rooms 105, 106 and 107) at the Holdom Community Resource Centre to Community Living Society.

C)

Memorandum from the City Clerk

Re: Accessibility 2024 Two Year Progress Update

A memorandum was received from the City Clerk advising that Council, at the Open Council meeting held on 2016 July 11, forwarded correspondence from the  Accessibility Secretariat Team, Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation, regarding Accessibility 2024 Two Year Progress Update to the Social Planning Committee and Transportation Committee for consideration.

D)

Memorandum from the Director Planning and Building

Re: Youth Volunteerism Recognition                             

A memorandum was received from the Director Planning and Building regarding the feasibility of a youth hero award in conjunction with the Local Hero Awards or during Youth Week.

The Committee expressed concern with the age of youth (can be up to 25 or 30 years old), and the need for encouragement to continue their exceptional work in the future.

E)

Memorandum from the Director Planning and Building

Re: Communication Disabilities Access Canada - Communication Access Now Project Update                  

A memorandum was received from the Director Planning and Building regarding provision of e-learning modules offered through the Communication Access Now project to City of Burnaby staff.

5.

REPORT

MOVED BY trustee narang

SECONDED BY ms. boudreau

THAT the report be received.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

A)

Report from the Director Planning and Building

Re: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada - Overview of Calls to Action                                             

The Director Planning and Building submitted a report providing information related to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, specifically those which pertain to local governments.

The Director Planning and Building recommended:

1. THAT this report be received for information purposes.

MOVED BY trustee narang

SECONDED BY ms. boudreau

THAT the recommendation of the Director Planning and Building be adopted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Committee thanked staff for an excellent and informative report.

*Councillor Wang arrived at the meeting at 6:54 p.m.

It was noted that the first Aboriginal Day was held on 2016 June 21 at the Edmonds Community School, and it was very successful.

6.

NEW BUSINESS

Mary Lumby

Ms. Lumby requested information regarding the Dementia Friendly Forum.

Staff advised that the City is developing a community-based action plan for the dementia friendly community.  There were four focus groups (one at each quadrant of the City) to collect feedback, ideas and concerns.  The findings from the focus groups will be presented on 2016 October 20 at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. 

Councillor Kang

Councillor Kang encouraged Committee members to participate in and attend the City Hall and RCMP Open House events on 2016 September 17 at Burnaby City Hall and RCMP Detachment, as well as the Paver Dedication Ceremony.

Councillor Kang noted the importance of discussing street safety and encouraging responsible play of Pokémon Go game with children.

Lubna Abdelrahman

Ms. Abdelrahman suggested that the City create an Arab-African festival for immigrants  and  newcomers,  in order  to encourage  the  community  to come

together and connect.  The speaker provided examples of City of Vancouver’s African Descent Festival and New Westminster’s Multicultural Festival.

Ms. Boundreau noted that City of Surrey’s Fusion Festival is the best run festival in the Lower Mainland.

Staff noted that community organizations can apply for the Festivals Burnaby Grant, and undertook to provide information on this program.

Councillor Volkow

Councillor Volkow advised that the Burnaby Public Library (Tommy Douglas Branch) offers free programs for elderly people on will drafting.

7.

INQUIRIES

There were no inquiries brought before the Committee at this time.

8.

CLOSED

Public excluded according to Sections 90 and 92 of the Community Charter.

MOVED BY MR. NATHWANI

SECONDED BY TRUSTEE NARANG

THAT this Open Committee meeting do now recess.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Open Committee meeting recessed at 7:14 p.m.

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR KANG

SECONDED BY MS. BOUDREAU 

THAT this Open Committee meeting do now reconvene.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Open Committee meeting reconvened at 7:16 p.m.

9.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY MR. nathwani

SECONDED BY councillor wang

THAT this Open Committee meeting do now adjourn.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Open meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m.

________________________

________________________

Blanka Zeinabova

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER                  

Councillor Nick Volkow

CHAIR