THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF PEEL

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE

MINUTES

GRC-1/2023

Thursday, March 02, 2023

11:00 A.m. - 1:00 P.m.

Council Chamber, 5th Floor

Regional Administrative Headquarters

10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A

Brampton, Ontario

Members Present:

• P. Brown
• B. Butt
• B. Crombie
• D. Damerla
• A. Groves
• J. Horneck
• N. Iannicca
• M. Medeiros
• M. Russo
• R. Santos
• A. Tedjo
• P. Vicente

Staff Present:

• J. Baker, Chief Administrative Officer
• G. Kent, Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services
• P. Caza, Regional Solicitor
• S. Baird, Commissioner of Human Services
• N. Polsinelli, Commissioner of Health Services
• A. Adams, Regional Clerk and Director of Legislative Services
• C. Thomson, Deputy Clerk and Manager of Legislative Services
• H. Gill, Legislative Technical Advisor
• J. Jones, Legislative Specialist
• R. Khan, Legislative Technical Coordinator
• S. MacGregor, Legislative Technical Coordinator

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1.

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Jill Jones, Committee Clerk, called the Government Relations Committee meeting to order on March 2, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive.

Councillor Crombie arrived at 11:12 a.m. due to a personal matter

Councillor Damerla arrived at 11:32 a.m.

Other Members present: Councillor Brar arrived at 11:51 a.m.

2.

ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR

• RECOMMENDATION GRC-1-2023:

  That Councillor Tedjo be elected Chair of the Government Relations Committee, for a 24 month term ending March 2, 2025, or until a successor is appointed.
• RECOMMENDATION GRC-2-2023:

  That Councillor Medeiros be elected Vice-Chair of the Government Relations Committee, for a 24 month term ending March 2, 2025, or until a successor is appointed.

Councillor Tedjo assumed the Chair.

3.

DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Nil.

4.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

• RECOMMENDATION GRC-3-2023:

  That the agenda for the March 2, 2023 Government Relations Committee meeting, be approved.

5.

DELEGATIONS

Nil.

6.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS UPDATE

6.1

Discussion led by Keith Medenblik, Manager, Strategic Public Policy and External Relations

(Oral)

• Received

Keith Medenblik, Manager, Strategic Public Policy and External Relations, provided an overview of the Government Relations Committee mandate; updates from the federal government including recent funding announcements, the Ukrainian response and the Federal Pre-budget Submission; recent developments from the provincial government including provincial priorities and the Provincial Pre-budget Submission; and, upcoming advocacy opportunities.

Members of the Committee discussed and asked questions regarding collaboration with local municipalities to provide alignment of regional and local advocacy messaging and a consolidated approach with respect to budget submissions and infrastructure needs; outreach with stakeholder organizations; frequency of planned meetings with MPs and MPPs and additional opportunities to meet; and, consideration of the federal immigration policy as a driver of growth and housing needs.

Mayor Crombie noted the federal government has advised that they are interested in building rapid housing, however there will be no federal compensation on any lost revenues which have accumulated as a result of provincial legislation. The provincial government has advised they are working on the impacts of Bill 23 (the More Homes Built Faster Act).

In response to a question from Councillor Tedjo regarding the provincial government’s selection of regional review facilitators, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) advised that the CAOs of the six affected regional municipalities had an opportunity to speak to senior staff at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding the draft scope of the regional review. She advised that the provincial government has not yet released the regional review Terms of Reference or announced the facilitators.

7.

REPORTS

7.1

Update on Region of Peel Advocacy Priorities

(For information)

• Received

7.2

2023 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Annual Conference

• RECOMMENDATION GRC-4-2023:

  That the approach outlined in the report of the Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services, listed on the March 2, 2023 Government Relations Committee agenda titled "2023 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Annual Conference," be endorsed.

Members of the Committee discussed and asked questions regarding the effectiveness of delegations at the AMO conference; and timelines for delegation submissions and planning.

The Manager of Strategic Public Policy and External Relations advised that a report outlining the approach for the AMO Conference submissions will be brought to the June 15, 2023 GRC meeting. He advised that an AMO preparation workshop will provide the committee and staff an opportunity to build the packages for the AMO advocacy sessions. The workshop has been rescheduled from July 20 to July 13, 2023, as outlined in the subject report.

In response to a question from Councillor Santos regarding opportunities to advocate at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), the Manager of Strategic Public Policy and External Relations advised that staff will prepare briefing notes on key issues for Councillors who attend the conference.

8.

COMMUNICATIONS

Nil.

9.

OTHER BUSINESS

Nil.

10.

CLOSED SESSION

Nil.

11.

NEXT MEETING

Thursday, June 15, 2023
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Council Chamber, 5th Floor
Regional Administrative Headquarters
10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A
Brampton, Ontario

Please forward regrets to Jill Jones, Committee Clerk, at [email protected].

12.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.