Whereas the Regional Municipality of Peel was incorporated in 1974 to provide a wide range of cost-effective programs and services over a larger geographical area that enhance our community’s health and safety, social and cultural development, agricultural, environment, conservation, infrastructure and transportation systems;
And whereas, the letter dated December 14, 2020 from the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing states that The Region of Peel is granted an extension on finding a local resolution to the governance model for Peel;
And whereas, section 6 of the Municipal Act assumes that communities, rural or urban, are homogenous in nature; which does not address factors such as growth rate, industry, employment, demographics, social conditions, agriculture, and conservation;
And whereas, these communities may not have reflective representation at Peel Regional Council by virtue of the Act and the body that designed it;
And whereas, the Region of Peel is the most diverse municipality in Ontario if not Canada, with strong cultural roots from around the world; this population is comprised of 51.5 per cent immigrants, 13 per cent recent immigrants and 62.3 per cent visible minorities who face a variety of settlement challenges from food security to housing, employment, mental health, addictions and systemic discrimination;
And whereas, the Region of Peel has worked through the Community Safety and Well Being Plan, Board of Health, Peel Poverty Reduction Strategy Committee, Peel Food Security Charter, and Human Services, to address such matters as food security, family violence, discrimination, mental health, addictions and systemic racism, it is clear that reflective representation at the table is needed in order to balance and rectify the challenges of Peel’s communities;
And whereas, the Region of Peel has worked diligently under the pillars of living, thriving and leading, to address challenges and create opportunities for its population, despite chronic underfunding in the areas of health and human services; the disparity gap that exists continues to grow, COVID-19 has accelerated that growth at an alarming rate, exposing the need for greater attention from this government and our provincial and federal partners;
Therefore be it resolved, that the Council of the Region of Peel utilize the extension date of March 31, 2020 granted by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing;
And further, that staff review governance within the Region of Peel with a broader approach regarding equal and effective representation and report back on the fundamental challenges of the Peel community, prioritizing marginalized and racialized communities including the areas of Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga that are facing challenges including, but not limited to, access to food security and health care, homelessness, community policing, mental health and addictions, and systemic discrimination with the measure of those issues including but not limited to growth rate, industry, employment, demographics, social conditions, agriculture, and conservation;
And further, that a second Special Council meeting in the new year be held to provide an opportunity for staff to report back on options regarding Regional Council composition for consideration based on the afore mentioned aspects and those presented at the public meeting held on December 17, 2020.