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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTR-76-97A THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON REPORT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE File# Date: September 22, 1997 Res. ## By-Law# Report#: File#: Subject: RESOLUTION IN RESPONSE TO CITY OF TORONTO RECOMMENDATION RE: SOCIAL ASSISTANCE AND HOUSING COSTS Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended to W-0 1. THAT the followin Council: THAT the Provinc( Funding commitment to provincially manda r�� �u�.�a our XL an ovulal Assistance and Social Housing; THAT the Province be notified that the Municipality of Clarington is concerned that the dominant representation on the GTSB of the City of Toronto will not provide the opportunity for issues such as cost apportionment to be considered impartially; THAT the Municipality of Clarington objects to the City of Toronto responding to Provincial downloading by recommending a transfer of the funding responsibility for Social Assistance and Social Housing to the GTSB for financial contributions from Municipalities which have no influence on the GTSB; I 2. THAT a copy of the report and recommendations be circulated to the area j Municipalities of the Region of Durham requesting their endorsement; and 3. THAT a copy of the Resolution be forwarded to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, to the Minister's special advisor on the Greater Toronto Area i Services Board. BACKGROUND: . 1.0 At the Council meeting of July 7, 1997, by Resolution #C-524-97,(Attachment #1) Item I-22, was referred to the Treasurer for preparation of a Resolution of Opposition. I RECYCLE D L PPE RECY.t TLIG 6 PRIMED CN RECYCED PAPER TR-76-97 Page - 2 - 1.2 Item I-22 was a report prepared by the City of Toronto (refer to Attachment #2) which recommended that the City endorse financing income redistribution programs such as social assistance and social housing through the GTSB. The Toronto City staff were requested to examine the option of pooling social assistance costs across the GTA in response to the May 1, 1997 provincial downloading proposals. 2.0 The above Resolution was drafted in order that the Council of the Municipality of Clarington could voice opposition to the further downloading of the provincial impact by the City of Toronto to the GTA Municipalities and to request the Province of Ontario to follow through with its obligations in respect of the costs and administration of all income redistribution programs and other provincially mandated programs. 2.1 The provincial downloading and subsidy erosion has significantly impacted all Municipalities and each has adjusted service levels, etc. to accommodate the impact. These Municipalities are not in a position to transfer the costs or impacts of downloading to other levels of government or relieve themselves of the responsibility of providing the services they normally perform, which is what the City of Toronto appears to have done by its recommendation. 2.2 The Municipalities with little or no direct representation on the GTSB, will not have sufficient influence on the decisions related to these matters at the GTSB level. 2.3 The report acknowledges that the best option would be for the Province to take over 100 percent of social assistance costs and that pooling across the GTA is the second best solution. The Municipality of Clarington does not recognize the "second best" solution as an option that is in the best interest of the Municipality. Respectfully submitted, Reviewed by, arie A. Marano, H.BSc., A.M.C.T., W.H. Stockwell, Treasurer. Chief Administrative Officer. MM/pp/hjl Attachments U .� U