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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-004-16 03 Community Services Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Municipal Clerk at 905-623-3379 ext. 2102. Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: February 16, 2016 Report Number: CSD-004-16 Resolution: File Number: N/A By-law Number: Report Subject: Canada 150 Fund Program Application Recommendations: 1. That Report CSD-004-16 be received; 2. That staff be authorized to complete an application to the Canada 150 Fund Program for programs and initiatives in Clarington to recognize and celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation; and 3. That staff be authorized to apply as a partner with community organizations that may be interested in applying for funding through the Canada 150 Fund for separate initiatives where services can be provided in kind at no direct cost to the Municipality. Municipality of Clarington Report CSD-004-16 Page 2 Report Overview Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation is a milestone for our country. The Department of Canadian Heritage has created the Canada 150 Fund; a funding initiative that aims to promote Canadian values, culture and history, generate national pride and bring Canadians together to celebrate. The goal of the Canada 150 Fund is to create opportunities for Canadians to participate in activities that contribute to building a sense of pride and attachment to Canada. 1 . Background Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017 is a pivotal milestone for our country that allows us to connect with our past, celebrate who we are, honour our exceptional achievements and build a legacy for tomorrow. The Government of Canada is inviting Canadians to celebrate historic nation-building programs and events as we lead up to and recognize Canada's 150th in 2017 through the Canada 150 Fund. The Canada 150 Fund will support activities that: • Encourage participants to give back to Canada through gifts of time and energy, in ways that leave a legacy for the future; • Provide Canadians with opportunities to actively participate and / or celebrate together, promoting and building a deeper understanding of Canada, its people and what it means to be Canadian; and • Recognize and promote exceptional Canadian people, places, achievements and events that continue to shape our country. Upon reviewing the program guidelines, Community Services Department staff discussed programming options and brainstormed ideas that could be offered in our community to recognize and celebrate this significant anniversary. This discussion resulted in the programs proposed within this report. Staff further consulted representatives at Canadian Heritage to assess the strength of the programming concepts and have tailored the proposed programs based on the feedback received. While this funding program will support existing community events and celebrations, the Canada 150 Fund is looking specifically for new events to support Canada's 150th, and applications for funding for existing events are not considered strong applications by the Fund. Programs and events that build in a legacy component are strongly favoured, according to the Canadian Heritage consultant. Municipality of Clarington Report CSD-004-16 Page 3 For these reasons, the Community Services Department is proposing some unique opportunities for Clarington to commemorate this milestone that offer a legacy and would otherwise not be offered in our community. Historically, the larger community celebrations that occur on Canada Day in Clarington have been coordinated by various community organizations in many of our local urban centres. Staff have shared the Canada 150 Fund program information with these community organizations for their consideration as they plan their activities. The Community Services Department is seeking approval to apply for funding for programs and activities that will build community pride and commemorate Canada's 150th anniversary of Confederation by providing opportunities for our community to celebrate together. While the options presented through this report have been discussed and reviewed by staff and potential partners in consultation with Canadian Heritage staff, events and activities can still be added or modified, if Council chooses. The Canada 150 Fund is currently accepting applications and the intake is ongoing until the fund is spent. The approval process is currently approximately 30 weeks. 2. Project Proposals 2.1. Paint the Town Red In partnership with Clarington's local horticultural societies, we would encourage Clarington residents, businesses and property owners to plant and display red front gardens. If funding is approved, red tulip bulbs would be handed out to Clarington residents to help get their gardens started. The cost to purchase tulip bulbs will be part of the application for funding. Other red flower bulbs, annuals and bushes would also be encouraged to be planted to further "Paint the Town Red." Property owners would be encouraged to submit photos of their red front gardens in bloom for a collage and a celebration event will be held in the community to wrap up the program. Images submitted of these red front gardens would be created into framed collages to be displayed in municipal facilities, recognizing and commemorating Canada's 150th 2.2. Canada 150th Programming Drum Circle Program The Community Services Department is proposing to offer a ten week aboriginal drumming program to celebrate and learn about our indigenous culture. The program Municipality of Clarington Report CSD-004-16 Page 4 would be offered separately, but simultaneously, to both children (ages 8-15) and older adults (ages 55 and up.) Offering this in a ten week format allows the participants the opportunity to competently learn two to three traditional drum beats / songs, and expose participants to First Nations culture and traditions. The program will wrap-up with a community celebration event showcasing a sharing of the drum beats / songs learned by participants and a show by an aboriginal drum group and First Nations dancers. Canada's 150th Workshop Series In partnership with Clarington Museums and Archives and Clarington Public Library, a series of speakers and workshops incorporating Canadian crafts, art, music, literature and language will be offered to Older Adults (ages 55 and up) coordinated through the Community Services Department. Preliminary discussions have taken place with staff of Clarington Museums and Archives and Clarington Public Library who feel their organizations would be on board for such an endeavour. 2.3. Partnership Opportunities The Canada 150 Fund is open and flexible and could accommodate a wide variety of initiatives within our community. Given the continuous intake of applications, there may be opportunity for the Municipality of Clarington to partner with our local community organizations on projects and events as the date draws nearer. Staff will assess and consider such partnership opportunities and will partner on an application with a local community organization should the initiative be deemed appropriate. 3. Financial Considerations Through the Canada 150 Fund, all eligible project expenses could be funded 100%. Staff have reviewed the application and will include in-kind contributions that can be provided through existing budgets and at no additional direct cost to the Municipality. There will be no additional funding requested through the municipal budget process to implement these programs, if approved for funding through the Canada 150 Fund. There will be an impact through the use of existing staff resources, equipment and facilities to operate the proposed programs and events, but no direct financial impact. These programs will not be implemented unless funding is received through the Canada 150 Fund. Municipality of Clarington Report CSD-004-16 Page 5 4. Concurrence Not Applicable 5. Conclusion Staff have prepared this report in order to provide Council with some preliminary information about potential plans as we seek approval to apply for funding through the Canada 150 Fund. Once funding is confirmed, staff will be able to develop the details of the individual programs and events and these details will be shared with Council. It is respectfully recommended that staff be authorized to complete and submit an application for programs and initiatives on behalf of the Municipality of Clarington through the Canada 150 Fund and that staff be further authorized to partner on any future applicable applications made by local community organizations through the Canada 150 Fund. As a partner, the Municipality of Clarington would not be committed financially, however, would offer moral support and offer in-kind support as staff facilitate the delivery of the program by the local organization. 6. Strategic Plan Application Not applicable. 4, f . Submitted by: Reviewed by: o ph P. Caruana, Franklin Wu, erector of Community Services Chief Administrative Officer Staff Contact: Sharon Meredith, Manager of Recreation, 905-623-3379 ext. 2504 or smeredith@clarington.net There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision, JPC/SM