THE COUNCIL OF

THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF PEEL

MINUTES

-
Council Chamber, 5th Floor
Regional Administrative Headquarters
10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A
Brampton, Ontario
Members Present:
  • P. Brown
  • G. Carlson
  • B. Crombie
  • D. Damerla
  • S. Dasko
  • G.S. Dhillon
  • J. Downey
  • C. Fonseca
  • P. Fortini
  • A. Groves
  • N. Iannicca
  • J. Innis
  • J. Kovac
  • M. Mahoney
  • S. McFadden
  • M. Medeiros
  • M. Palleschi
  • C. Parrish
  • K. Ras
  • P. Saito
  • R. Santos
  • I. Sinclair
  • R. Starr
  • A. Thompson
  • P. Vicente
Staff Present:
  • J. Baker, Chief Administrative Officer
  • S. Baird, Commissioner of Service Excellence and Innovation
  • G. Kent, Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services
  • P. Caza, Regional Solicitor
  • A. Smith, Chief Planner
  • K. Dedman, Commissioner of Public Works
  • J. Sheehy, Commissioner of Human Services
  • N. Polsinelli, Commissioner of Health Services
  • Dr. L. Loh, Medical Officer of Health
  • A. Adams, Deputy Clerk and Acting Director of Administration
  • C. Thomson, Deputy Clerk and Manager of Legislative Services
  • J. Jones, Legislative Specialist
  • S. Valleau, Legislative Specialist
  • R. Khan, Legislative Technical Coordinator
  • S. MacGregor, Legislative Technical Coordinator

Regional Chair Iannicca called the meeting of Regional Council to order at 9:31 a.m. in the Council Chambers, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A, Brampton. Regional Chair Iannicca participated electronically.

Councillor Crombie arrived at 9:43 a.m. due to other municipal business

Regional Chair Iannicca read an Indigenous Land Acknowledgement.

Regional Chair Iannicca thanked front line staff on behalf of Regional Council, for their work during the holiday season.

  • Resolution Number2022-1
    Moved byCouncillor Thompson
    Seconded byCouncillor Dasko

    That the minutes of the December 9, 2021 Regional Council meeting, be approved.

    Carried
  • Resolution Number2022-2
    Moved byCouncillor Dasko
    Seconded byCouncillor Fonseca

    That the delegation listed as item 7.2 on the January 13, 2022 Regional Council agenda be withdrawn;

    And further, that the agenda for the January 13, 2022 Regional Council meeting include a communication from United Way Greater Toronto, in support of the delegation from Homeless Health Peel, to be dealt with under Items Related to Health – Item 16.2;

    And further, that the agenda for the January 13, 2022 Regional Council meeting include a communication from Kamal Khera, Member of Parliament, Brampton West, in support of the delegation from Homeless Health Peel, to be dealt with under Items Related to Health – Item 16.3;

    And further, that the agenda for the January 13, 2022 Regional Council meeting include a communication from Peel Alliance to End Homelessness, in support of the delegation from Homeless Health Peel, to be dealt with under Items Related to Health – Item 16.4;

    And further, that the agenda for the January 13, 2022 Regional Council meeting be approved, as amended.

    Carried
  • Resolution Number2022-3
    Moved byCouncillor Kovac
    Seconded byCouncillor Dasko

    That the following matters listed on the January 13, 2022 Regional Council Agenda be approved under the Consent Agenda: Items 9.1, 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, 14.1, 14.2, 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, and 16.4;

    And further, that the motion listed as item 22.1 on the January 13, 2022 Regional Council Agenda be deferred to the January 27, 2022 Regional Council meeting.

    Carried

RESOLUTIONS AS A RESULT OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

Letter dated January 7, 2022, Regarding Omicron Variant of COVID-19, Testing and Isolation Guidelines, and Emergency Work Deployment Order O.Reg.157/20 (Receipt recommended)  

  • Resolution Number2022-4
    Received

This item was dealt with under the Consent Agenda.

  • Resolution Number2022-5
    Moved byCouncillor Kovac
    Seconded byCouncillor Dasko

    That the Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to negotiate the issuance of debentures in the maximum principal amounts of $4.1 million on behalf of the Town of Caledon, for a term not to exceed 31 years, to be issued in 2022 or at such later date as may be requested by the Treasurer of the Town of Caledon;

    And further, that the Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to negotiate the issuance of debentures in the maximum total principal amount of $102 million on behalf of the City of Mississauga, for a term not to exceed 16 years to be issued in 2022 or at such later date as may be requested by the Treasurer of the City of Mississauga;

    And further, that the Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to negotiate the issuance of debentures in the maximum principal amount of $200 million for the Region of Peel, for a term not to exceed 31 years, to be issued in 2022 or such later date as the Treasurer of the Region of Peel may determine;

    And further, that the Treasurer and the Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to negotiate and sign the Purchase Letter/Agreement, relating to the subject borrowing, including the percentage allocated to each of the different syndicate groups and participants.

    Carried

This item was dealt with under the Consent Agenda.

(Related to By-law 1-2022) 

  • Resolution Number2022-6
    Moved byCouncillor Kovac
    Seconded byCouncillor Dasko

    That a by-law be enacted to authorize the temporary borrowing of monies to meet 2022 expenses of the municipality pending receipt of revenues in accordance with section 407 of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended.

    Carried

This item was dealt with under the Consent Agenda.

(Related to By-law 2-2022) 

  • Resolution Number2022-7
    Moved byCouncillor Kovac
    Seconded byCouncillor Dasko

    That the tax ratio setting authority for both lower-tier and upper-tier purposes for 2022, be delegated by the Region of Peel to its lower-tier municipalities, as authorized under section 310 of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended;

    And further, that the necessary by-law inclusive of the methodology to apportion the Regional levy, be presented for enactment.

    Carried

This item was dealt with under the Consent Agenda.

Letter dated December 16, 2021, Providing a Copy of the Town of Caledon Resolution and Memorandum Regarding an Update on Enforcement Efforts of the Illegal Land Use Enforcement Team (Receipt recommended) 

  • Resolution Number2022-8
    Received

This item was dealt with under the Consent Agenda.

Email dated December 15, 2021, Providing Notice of Public Consultation on the Proposed Updates to the Halton-Hamilton Source Protection Plan (Receipt recommended) 

  • Resolution Number2022-9
    Received

This item was dealt with under the Consent Agenda.

Letter dated December 9, 2021, Regarding Homeless Health Peel Opportunities (Referral to Health Services and Human Services recommended) (Related to 7.1)

  • Resolution Number2022-10

    Referred to Health Services and Human Services

This item was dealt with under the Consent Agenda.

Letter dated January 13, 2022, Providing Support to the Homeless Health Peel’s Request for New Resources for Seniors and People Experiencing Homelessness with Acute and Chronic Health Needs (Receipt recommended) (Related to 7.1, 16.3 and 16.4)

  • Resolution Number2022-11
    Received

This item was dealt with under the Consent Agenda.

Letter received January 12, 2022, Providing Support for Homeless Health Peel’s Request for New Resources for Individuals and Families Experiencing Homelessness in the Region of Peel (Receipt recommended) (Related to 7.1, 16.2 and 16.4)

  • Resolution Number2022-12
    Received

This item was dealt with under the Consent Agenda.

Letter dated January 11, 2022, Providing Support for Homeless Health Peel’s Request for Funding to Create a Centre for Seniors and Medically Fragile Individuals Experiencing Homelessness and to Receive Official Designation as a Primary Healthcare Provider (Receipt recommended) (Related to 7.1, 16.2 and 16.3)

  • Resolution Number2022-13
    Received

This item was dealt with under the Consent Agenda.

AGENDA ITEMS SUBJECT TO DISCUSSION AND DEBATE

Regarding Service Provider Status with the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Sustained Funding for Long Term Care and Respite Beds for Low Income Seniors Experiencing Homelessness and a Post Pandemic Nursing Program (Related to 16.1) 

  • Resolution Number2022-14

    Referred to Human Services for a report to the March 24, 2022 Regional Council meeting

Ameek Singh, Registered Nurse, Government Relations and Communications, Homeless Health Peel (HHP), stated that HHP provides primary care and addictions and mental healthcare to low-income seniors and homeless residents with acute and chronic healthcare needs. HHP helps to create cost-effective continuity of care for those who are discharged from hospital with no access to follow-up care. The delegate stated that HHP acquired a building that could facilitate 30 beds and be operational by April 1, 2022, with the provision of capital and operational funding. The delegate requested that Regional Council support HHP; provide Regional resources; and, advocate to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to provide HHP with Health Service Provider status and sustained funding.

In response to questions from Regional Council, the Commissioner of Human Services clarified that the model of care was developed by the Region of Peel, and Homeless Health Peel is a contracted vendor providing nurse practitioner services. She confirmed that funding has been secured to continue to use HHP for the provision of Regional services, until June 30, 2022.

The Commissioner undertook to report to Council by the end of March 2022 including: an analysis of the HHP proposal; capital and operational funding requirements and sources; and a legal review of legislation and potential risk to the Region of Peel of having HHP designated as a Health Service Provider.

Members of Regional Council discussed and asked questions regarding: a comparison of the Region’s services to the homeless to other regions within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA); closure of the Nelson Street facility due to concerns about the space, privacy, and infrastructure; and, the Reaching Home grant program’s competitive process and funding priorities as determined by a federally mandated community advisory board.

The Director of Housing Services stated that staff have been working with all partners to design a permanent and sustainably funded model and a report will come to Regional Council before the end of March 2022.

The Director of Housing Services noted that the next Reaching Home update report to Regional Council regarding grant program decisions will outline how Reaching Home dollars are allocated and include information with respect to the most recent grant approvals. The Director clarified that HHP was not approved under the Reaching Home grant program because the organization purchased a property and applied for capital funding before they had obtained operating funds.

(7.2 Withdrawn)

Regarding Covid-19 Situation and Lockdown Concerns 

This item was withdrawn under the Approval of the Agenda.

(Oral)    
Presentation by Dr. Lawrence Loh, Medical Officer of Health   

  • Resolution Number2022-15
    Received

Dr. Lawrence Loh, Medical Officer of Health, advised that there is continued widespread transmission of the Omicron variant in Peel and it is unclear if the peak of this surge has been reached. Dr. Loh stated that the healthcare system is experiencing increased pressures due to a simultaneous increase in COVID-19 admissions and the impact of Omicron on staff.

In accordance with Ministry directives, Peel’s COVID-19 response has shifted its focus to increasing vaccination coverage and protecting our highest-risk settings in response to the widespread transmission that is currently being observed. Dr. Loh provided an update on the vaccination program, noting that its priorities remain first and second doses for those who are unvaccinated, including children aged 5-11 years, and third doses for older adults, especially those who live in Long-Term Care. Dr. Loh advised that efforts to increase vaccination capacity are challenged by the impact of Omicron on immunization clinics’ staffing and resourcing, and the limitations that hospital partners are experiencing, such as increasing demand on their services and staffing issues, which reduce their capacity to contribute to vaccination efforts. Working with the Ministry of Health, Public Health is continuing to increase capacity where possible by deploying outreach and access strategies targeted at reaching the Region’s large and diverse community.

Dr. Loh noted provincial measures enacted to support the health and wellbeing of students and teachers returning to in-person learning. Public Health continues to work closely with local school boards in preparation for the return to school.

Members of Regional Council discussed and asked questions regarding: the provincial government’s mandate and role in providing testing (PCR and Rapid Antigen); efforts to increase booster rates; school vaccination clinics; consent requirements for children aged 5 to 11 years; wastewater signal monitoring; and, provincial guidelines on self-isolation.

In response to questions regarding access to testing, Dr. Loh stated that during this phase of the pandemic, if a person is sick with COVID-19 symptoms, they should stay home and follow the provincial isolation guidance based on age and vaccination status. Due to widespread community transmission, a test is not necessary to confirm COVID-19.

Councillor Saito requested that the weekly COVID-19 Epidemiology Update to Councillors be sent earlier in the day and that the Region’s twitter feed include the pop-up clinic information for ease of reposting.

(Oral) 
Presentation by Janice Baker, Chief Administrative Officer 

  • Resolution Number2022-16
    Received

Janice Baker, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), stated that there are currently at least 171 employees across the Region of Peel off work because they are either infected with COVID-19, awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test, or are required to isolate due to a potential exposure. She stated that 93.48 per cent (4128) of Regional staff are fully vaccinated with another .3 per cent having one dose.

The CAO provided an update on how the current surge in Omicron variant COVID-19 cases in Peel Region is affecting operations and how staff shortages might affect the Region’s residents. She provided an overview of challenges faced by Health Services regarding Peel Regional Paramedic Services, Long Term Care, Adult Day Centres, and Regional staff isolation requirements; challenges faced by Public Works regarding waste management, and water and wastewater; and, challenges faced by Human Services regarding Peel Housing Corporation, Early Years and Child Care and the Call Centre. The CAO stated that the situation could improve or worsen quickly as staff resources are impacted by the Omicron variant. 

Letter dated December 17, 2021, Providing a Copy of a Letter to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Regarding the Government of Quebec Bill 21  
(Direction required) 

  • Resolution Number2022-17
    Received

(For information)

  • Resolution Number2022-18
    Received
  • Resolution Number2022-19
    Moved byCouncillor Vicente
    Seconded byCouncillor Santos

    That a copy of the report from the Commissioner of Public Works, listed on the January 13, 2022 Regional Council agenda titled “Hurontario Light Rail Transit North Extension Update” be forwarded to the Ministry of Transportation;

    And further, that the Regional Chair, on behalf of Regional Council, write a letter to the Minister of Transportation highlighting the concerns regarding safety at the Steele’s Avenue intersection.

    Carried
  • Resolution Number2022-20
    Moved byCouncillor Thompson
    Seconded byCouncillor Fonseca

    That Council proceed “In Camera” to consider reports relating to the following:

    • December 9, 2021 Regional Council Closed Session Report
    • Personal Matters About an Identifiable Individual, Including Municipal or Local Board Employees with respect to In Camera items 24.2 and 24.3
    Carried
  • Resolution Number2022-21
    Moved byCouncillor Ras
    Seconded byCouncillor Downey

    That Council move out of "In Camera".

    Carried

Council moved in camera at 12:26 p.m.

Council moved out of in camera at 1:22 p.m.

24.1
December 9, 2021 Regional Council Closed Session Report
 

  • Resolution Number2022-22
    Received

24.2
Personal Matters About an Identifiable Individual, Including Municipal or Local Board Employees
 

  • Resolution Number2022-23
    Moved byCouncillor Starr
    Seconded byCouncillor Saito

    That the In Camera items listed as 24.2 and 24.3 on the January 13, 2022 Regional Council agenda, be received.

    In Favour (12)Councillor Crombie, Councillor Carlson, Councillor Dhillon, Councillor Fonseca, Councillor Fortini, Councillor Groves, Councillor Mahoney, Councillor McFadden, Councillor Medeiros, Councillor Parrish, Councillor Saito, and Councillor Starr
    Opposed (11)Regional Chair Iannicca, Councillor Brown, Councillor Downey, Councillor Innis, Councillor Kovac, Councillor Palleschi, Councillor Ras, Councillor Santos, Councillor Sinclair, Councillor Thompson, and Councillor Vicente
    Abstain (2)Councillor Damerla, and Councillor Dasko
    Lost

24.3
Personal Matters About an Identifiable Individual, Including Municipal or Local Board Employees
 

  • Resolution Number2022-24
    Received

This item was dealt with under In Camera item 24.2.

Councillor Parrish requested that the Procedure By-law provision related to abstentions be referred to the next Regional Council Policies and procedures Committee for discussion.

23.

Three Readings

  • Resolution Number2022-25
    Moved byCouncillor Kovac
    Seconded byCouncillor Innis

    That the by-laws listed on the January 13, 2022 Regional Council agenda, being By-laws 1-2022 and 2-2022, be given the required number of readings, taken as read, signed by the Regional Chair and the Deputy Regional Clerk, and the Corporate Seal be affixed thereto.

    Carried

A by-law to authorize the temporary borrowing of monies to meet expenses of the municipality pending receipt of revenues. 
(Related to 11.2) 

A by-law to delegate the tax ratio setting authority to each lower-tier municipality and to provide a method to determine the portion of Regional levies that will be raised in each lower-tier municipality.
(Related to 11.3) 

  • Resolution Number2022-26
    Moved byCouncillor Brown
    Seconded byCouncillor Thompson

    That By-law 3-2022 to confirm the proceedings of Regional Council at its meeting held on January 13, 2022, and to authorize the execution of documents in accordance with the Region of Peel by-laws relating thereto, be given the required number of readings, taken as read, signed by the Regional Chair and the Deputy Regional Clerk, and the Corporate Seal be affixed thereto.

    Carried

The meeting adjourned at 1:37 p.m.