THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF PEEL

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE

MINUTES

GRC-2/2021

Thursday, June 17, 2021

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. Crombie
• S. Dasko
• G.S. Dhillon
• J. Downey
• N. Iannicca
• J. Innis
• M. Palleschi
• R. Santos
• A. Thompson
• P. Vicente

Members Absent:

• A. Groves
• K. Ras

Staff Present:

• J. Baker, Chief Administrative Officer
• G. Kent, Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services
• P. O'Connor, Regional Solicitor
• A. Smith, Chief Planner
• J. Sheehy, Commissioner of Human Services
• N. Polsinelli, Commissioner of Health Services
• Dr. L. Loh, Medical Officer of Health
• K. Lockyer, Regional Clerk and Director of Clerk's
• A. Adams, Deputy Clerk and Manager of Access to Information and Privacy
• C. Thomson, Deputy Clerk and Manager of Legislative Services
• S. Valleau, Committee Clerk
• R. Khan, Legislative Technical Coordinator
• S. MacGregor, Legislative Technical Coordinator

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

Councillor Innis, Committee Chair, called the Government Relations Committee meeting to order on June 17, 2021 at 11:02 a.m., in the Council Chambers, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive. Councillor Innis participated electronically.

2.

DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Nil.

3.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

• RECOMMENDATION GRC-4-2021

  That the agenda for the June 17, 2021 Government Relations Committee meeting, be approved.

4.

DELEGATIONS

4.1

Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General and Member of Provincial Parliament, Dufferin-Caledon

Providing an Update on Provincial Issues

• Received

Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General and Member of Provincial Parliament, Dufferin-Caledon, provided an update on the COVID-19 vaccination program, including vaccine milestones and the deployment of mobile vaccine units.

Minister Jones highlighted updates to legislation that builds upon the Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy. She emphasized the focus on increasing awareness, supporting long term response, supporting survivors, increasing penalties; and, partnering with other relevant programs and organizations.

In response to questions from Members, Minister Jones stated that the Human Trafficking Strategy program has been expanded in an effort to build awareness through education and that the goal of the program is prevention. She noted that the program uses a government-wide multi ministerial approach to address many issues related to human trafficking, including domestic violence.

Members of the Committee discussed and raised questions regarding the need for additional funding support in the Region of Peel, COVID-19 vaccine mixing, and concerns surrounding safe international travel.

Minister Jones requested the assistance of Councillors in delivering the message that COVID-19 vaccination mixing is safe, and she confirmed that discussions with the federal government regarding safe travel have begun. 

5.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS UPDATE

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

• Received

Keith Medenblik, Manager, Strategic Public Policy and External Relations, provided an overview of the Region’s key Council endorsed advocacy priorities and themes, the Provincial and Federal COVID-19 response priorities, emerging trends, as well as, key priorities for the 2021 Virtual Association of Municipalities of Ontario Annual Conference.

6.

REPORTS

6.1

2021 AMO Preparation and Advocacy Priorities Update

(For information)

• Received

7.

COMMUNICATIONS

Nil.

8.

OTHER BUSINESS

Nil.

9.

IN CAMERA MATTERS

Nil.

10.

NEXT MEETING

Thursday, October 21, 2021
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Council Chamber, 5th Floor
Regional Administrative Headquarters
10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A
Brampton, Ontario

Please forward regrets to Sabrina Valleau, Committee Clerk, at [email protected].

11.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 11:53 a.m.