THE COUNCIL OF

THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF PEEL

MINUTES

Thursday, September 23, 2021

9:30 A.m. - 3:30 P.m.

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. Early*
• C. Fonseca
• P. Fortini
• A. Groves
• N. Iannicca
• 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

Members Absent:

• J. Innis* (Alternate C. Early)

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, Acting 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
• K. Lockyer, Regional Clerk and Director of Clerk's
• 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

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

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 9:35 a.m., due to other municipal business

Councillor Fortini arrived at 9:55 a.m.

2.

INDIGENOUS LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Regional Chair Iannicca read an Indigenous Land Acknowledgement.

Regional Chair Iannicca advised that United Way Greater Toronto will launch its annual fundraising campaign on September 23, 2021. He noted that the United Way’s 2020 ‘Show Your Local Love Day’ fund provided funding to 280 community agencies so they could provide critical support and services to vulnerable residents across Peel, Toronto and York Region during the pandemic. He encouraged Members of Council to visit the United Way website for more information on the United Way’s fundraising campaign, ‘Show Your Local Love Day”.

3.

DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Nil.

4.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

4.1

September 9, 2021 Regional Council meeting

• Resolution Number 2021-946
  Moved by Councillor Mahoney
  Seconded by Councillor Downey

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

  Carried

5.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

• Resolution Number 2021-947
  Moved by Councillor McFadden
  Seconded by Councillor Thompson

  That the agenda for the September 23, 2021 Regional Council meeting, be approved.

  Carried

6.

CONSENT AGENDA

• Resolution Number 2021-948
  Moved by Councillor Saito
  Seconded by Councillor Sinclair

  That the following matters listed on the September 23, 2021 Regional Council Agenda be approved under the Consent Agenda: Items 14.1, 15.1, 15.2, 16.1, 17.2, 18.1, 19.1, 24.1, and 24.2

  Carried

RESOLUTIONS AS A RESULT OF THE CONSENT AGENDA

14.

COMMUNICATIONS

14.1

David Piccini, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks

Letter received September 14, 2021, Responding to a Letter from Regional Chair Iannicca, Regarding Provincial Consultation on Regulatory Proposals (Phase 1) under the Conservation Authorities Act (Resolution 2021-667) (Receipt recommended) 

• Resolution Number 2021-949
  Received

This item was dealt with under the Consent Agenda.

15.

ITEMS RELATED TO ENTERPRISE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

15.1

Transfer of Region of Peel Additional One-Time Canada Community-Building Fund Allocation - 2021

(Related to By-law 48-2021) 

• Resolution Number 2021-950
  Moved by Councillor Saito
  Seconded by Councillor Sinclair

  That the one-time top-up of the Canada Community-Building Fund, formerly known as the federal Gas Tax Fund, received by the Region of Peel for the 2021 fiscal year be substantially allocated to the Cities of Brampton and Mississauga and the Town of Caledon based on the allocation method identified in the report of the Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services, listed on the September 23, 2021 Regional Council agenda titled “Transfer of Region of Peel Additional One-Time Canada Community-Building Fund Allocation - 2021”;

  And further, that the necessary by-law be presented for enactment;

  And further, that the indemnity agreements that form Schedule A to the by-law be executed by the signing officers of the Regional Corporation to enable the transfer of the funds to the lower-tier municipalities from the Region of Peel;

  And further, that the one-time top-up of the Canada Community-Building Fund to be retained by the Region of Peel be used to fund capital infrastructure projects in the applicable eligible project categories as prescribed by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

  Carried

This item was dealt with under the Consent Agenda.

15.2

2022 Regional Council and Committee Meeting Schedule

• Resolution Number 2021-951
  Moved by Councillor Saito
  Seconded by Councillor Sinclair

  That the 2022 Regional Council and Committee meeting schedule attached as Appendix I to the report of the Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services, listed on the September 23, 2021 Regional Council agenda titled “2022 Regional Council and Committee Meeting Schedule”, be approved.

  Carried

This item was dealt with under the Consent Agenda.

16.

COMMUNICATIONS

16.1

Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance

Letter received September 9, 2021, Regarding Payments In-lieu of Taxes for the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, COVID-19 Financial Support for Municipalities and Transit Funding Under the Safe Restart Agreement (Receipt recommended) 

• Resolution Number 2021-952
  Received

This item was dealt with under the Consent Agenda.

17.

ITEMS RELATED TO PUBLIC WORKS

17.2

Waste Management Financial Plan - Update on Potential Funding Approaches and Public Consultation

• Resolution Number 2021-953
  Moved by Councillor Saito
  Seconded by Councillor Sinclair

  That the potential funding approaches outlined in the report of the Commissioner of Public Works, listed on the September 23, 2021 Regional Council agenda titled “Waste Management Financial Plan – Update on Potential Funding Approaches and Public Consultation”, be endorsed for presentation to the public during the second round of public consultation;

  And further, that the consultation plan outlined in the subject report for a second round of public consultation to solicit feedback on the potential funding approaches, be endorsed.

  Carried

This item was dealt with under the Consent Agenda.

18.

COMMUNICATIONS

18.1

Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation

Letter dated September 13, 2021, Regarding Transportation Systems in Ontario (Receipt recommended)

• Resolution Number 2021-954
  Received

This item was dealt with under the Consent Agenda.

19.

ITEMS RELATED TO HEALTH

19.1

Healthy Babies Healthy Children Funding - Supporting Peel’s Vulnerable Families

• Resolution Number 2021-955
  Moved by Councillor Saito
  Seconded by Councillor Sinclair

  That the Director responsible for the Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) program be authorized to approve the allocation, payment and transfer of provincial HBHC funding to community not-for-profit organizations to effectively support the Region of Peel’s delivery of the HBHC program;

  And further, that the Director responsible for the HBHC program be authorized to execute all documents required to complete the allocation, payment and transfer of HBHC funding.

  Carried

This item was dealt with under the Consent Agenda.

AGENDA ITEMS SUBJECT TO DISCUSSION AND DEBATE

7.

DELEGATIONS

7.1

Parampal Singh Gill, Resident of Peel

Regarding Negative Implications of COVID-19 Measures 

• Resolution Number 2021-956
  Received

Parampal Singh Gill, Resident of Peel, stated his concerns regarding what he perceives as negative implications of COVID-19 measures including: proposed links between the vaccine and negative reactions; potentially unknown long-term side effects; and, discrimination against those who are not vaccinated.

7.2

Kamalpreet Singh, Founder, Go Satvik

Regarding Politics Involving Medicine and Immunization 

• Resolution Number 2021-957
  Received

Kamalpreet Singh, Founder, Go Satvik, stated his concerns regarding politics related to medicine and immunization including his perception of: contradictory statements from medical professionals; inaccurate diagnoses and false positive test results; the inflated number of deaths attributed to COVID-19; miscalculation of the death/survival rate; and, incomplete vaccine clinical trials. The delegate stated his belief that forcing vaccinations is unethical and makes unvaccinated people feel like second-class citizens.

8.

COVID-19 RELATED MATTERS

8.1

Update on the Region of Peel’s Response to COVID-19

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

• Resolution Number 2021-958
  Received
• Resolution Number 2021-959
  Moved by Councillor Saito

  Seconded by Councillor Brown, Councillor Crombie and Councillor Thompson

  
  That the Regional Chair, on behalf of Regional Council, write to the Premier of Ontario requesting that legislation be enacted to ban COVID-19 and vaccine-related protests at hospitals, health care facilities and schools;

  And further, that a copy of the letter and this resolution be sent to the Cities of Brampton and Mississauga and the Town of Caledon, and Peel-area MPPs.

  In Favour (21)	Councillor Brown, Councillor Crombie, Councillor Carlson, Councillor Dasko, Councillor Downey, Councillor Fonseca, Councillor Fortini, Councillor Groves, Councillor Mahoney, Councillor McFadden, Councillor Medeiros, Councillor Palleschi, Councillor Parrish, Councillor Ras, Councillor Saito, Councillor Santos, Councillor Sinclair, Councillor Starr, Councillor Thompson, Councillor Vicente, and Councillor Early*
  Abstain (2)	Councillor Dhillon, and Councillor Kovac
  Absent (1)	Councillor Damerla

  Carried

Dr. Lawrence Loh, Medical Officer of Health, provided an update on the status of COVID-19 in Peel, noting that Public Health is managing large community outbreaks occurring through events such as weddings, organized social gatherings and in nightclubs and restaurant/bars. He noted that schools continue to be closely monitored, however more time is needed to fully assess the impact of COVID-19 and the reopening of schools.

Dr. Loh provided an overview of the ongoing vaccination program and implementation of the provincial vaccination certificate program related to high risk, indoor non-essential settings.

Members of Regional Council discussed and asked questions regarding: permissible vaccination medical exemptions; valid proof of vaccination documentation for the provincial vaccine certificate program; access to the provincial GO-VAXX bus; vaccination rates required to mitigate the 4^th wave and to confirm the virus is no longer novel but endemic to the population; risk benefit ratio of continued vaccine use; the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS); the Ontario Human Rights Commission policy statement that reviews rights and obligations related to COVID-19 vaccine mandates and proof of vaccine certificates; Regional and Municipal costs associated with enforcement of provincial vaccine certificate requirements; data on vaccination status of individuals in ICUs; and, the Province of Quebec’s legislation to ban COVID-19 and anti-vaccine protests at hospitals and schools.

Councillor Saito proposed that Regional Council support a request that the provincial government pass legislation similar to the Province of Quebec, to protect health care and other essential workers in hospitals and schools.

In response to a request from Councillor Crombie, the Acting Regional Solicitor undertook to respond back on whether the Region has the authority to ban COVID-19 and anti-vaccination related protests within a specified distance from hospitals and schools through a municipal by-law.  

Councillor Parrish requested that the Regional Council Policies and Procedures Committee discuss the procedural implications of a vote to “Abstain”.

9.

COMMUNICATIONS

Nil.

10.

STAFF PRESENTATIONS

10.1

TransHelp Celebrates 40 Years of Service

(For information) 
Presentation by Mark Castro, Director, TransHelp 

• Resolution Number 2021-960
  Received

Mark Castro, Director, TransHelp, provided an overview of TransHelp’s 40^th anniversary celebration and highlighted the evolution of the program during the past 40 years. He provided an update on the COVID-19 response and current state of TransHelp including: staff redeployment during the pandemic, trips related to COVID-19 vaccinations and infections; reduction in total trips; and, health and safety measures. The Director, TransHelp, stated that future key priorities include: recovery and rebuilding post pandemic; reviewing and updating the Accessible Transportation Master Plan; and, the electronic bus pilot.

The Regional Chair and members of Regional Council thanked the Director of TransHelp and the TransHelp team for their outstanding work and service to the community over the last forty years.

11.

ITEMS RELATED TO HUMAN SERVICES

Nil.

12.

COMMUNICATIONS

Nil.

13.

ITEMS RELATED TO PLANNING AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT

13.1

Peel 2051 Official Plan Review and Municipal Comprehensive Review Draft Amendment – Requirement to Hold Statutory Open Houses and Public Meeting

• Resolution Number 2021-961
  Moved by Councillor Parrish
  Seconded by Councillor Sinclair

  That staff be authorized to hold the statutory open houses and a public meeting scheduled for October 26-28, 2021 and November 4, 2021 respectively, pursuant to subsection 17(15) of the Planning Act for the purposes of giving the public an opportunity to make representations in respect of a proposed Regional Official Plan Amendment developed pursuant to a Municipal Comprehensive Review related to Agriculture & Rural Systems; Climate Change and Wildland Fires; Greenlands System; Provincial Greenbelt Plans; Water Resources; Growth Management; Housing; Major Transit Station Areas; Settlement Area Boundary Expansion; Transportation; and other focus areas, including Cultural Heritage and Indigenous Engagement; Waste Management, and Rural Boundary Refinements;

  And further, that a copy of the draft Regional Official Plan Amendment be forwarded to the prescribed bodies in accordance with the Planning Act, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Cities of Brampton and Mississauga, the Town of Caledon and all other municipalities adjacent to the Region of Peel for their review and comment.

  Carried

Councillor Parrish encouraged Regional Councillors to participate in the upcoming Planning and Growth Management Committee workshop on October 21, 2021.

Members of Regional Council discussed and asked questions regarding: increased opportunities for residents of the Town of Caledon to participate in the public process; public participation through virtual meetings, drop-in events, electronic story-boards and on-line surveys; a request to use Regional roadside message boards to increase public awareness and provide information on how and where to participate; and, a suggestion to use large open-sided tents to accommodate additional in-person public meetings in Caledon.

17.

ITEMS RELATED TO PUBLIC WORKS

17.1

Transfer of Embleton Road from the Region of Peel to the City of Brampton

(Related to By-laws 50-2021 and 51-2021) 

• Resolution Number 2021-962
  Moved by Councillor Palleschi
  Seconded by Councillor Parrish

  That Regional Road 6 (Embleton Road), from Regional Road 1 (Mississauga Road) to Regional Road 19 (Winston Churchill Boulevard) in the City of Brampton, be transferred from the Region of Peel to the City of Brampton, effective October 15, 2021, as outlined in the report of the Commissioner of Public Works, listed on the September 23, 2021 Regional Council agenda titled “Transfer of Embleton Road from the Region of Peel to the City of Brampton”;

  And further, that the necessary by-laws be presented for enactment to amend Regional Road System By-law 95- 2007 and Region of Peel Traffic By-law 15-2013 by removing Regional Road 6 (Embleton Road) from Schedule “A” of the subject by-laws, effective October 15, 2021;

  And further, that upon enactment of the subject by-laws, staff be authorized to take all required steps to affect the transfer, including authorizing the Commissioner of Public Works to enter into and amend any necessary agreements, on legal terms satisfactory to the Regional Solicitor;

  And further, that a copy of the subject report be forwarded to the City of Brampton, City of Mississauga, Town of Caledon, and the Ministry of Transportation, for information;

  And further, that a copy of this resolution and necessary amending by-laws be forwarded to the Peel Regional Police and the Ontario Provincial Police.

  Carried

In response to a request from Councillor Parrish, the Chief Administrative Officer undertook to report to a future Regional Council meeting to provide a proposed start date, potential costs, and overview of internal and external resources required to review and update work that was presented to Council in a past consultant’s report with respect to the transfer of Regional roads to the local municipalities.

20.

COMMUNICATIONS

Nil.

21.

OTHER BUSINESS/COUNCILLOR ENQUIRIES

The Regional Chair advised that the Truth and Reconciliation program scheduled on September 29, 2021 is a staff led event.

22.

NOTICE OF MOTION/MOTION

Nil.

23.

BY-LAWS

Three Readings

• Resolution Number 2021-963
  Moved by Councillor Parrish
  Seconded by Councillor Fonseca

  That the by-laws listed on the September 23, 2021 Regional Council agenda, being By-laws 48-2021 to 51-2021 inclusive, be given the required number of readings, taken as read, signed by the Regional Chair and the Regional Clerk, and the Corporate Seal be affixed thereto.

  Carried

23.1

By-law 48-2021

A by-law to allocate one-time top-up of the Canada Community-Building Fund (formerly known as the federal Gas Tax Fund) to the City of Brampton, the City of Mississauga, and the Town of Caledon for the year 2021. (Related to 15.1) 

23.2

By-law 49-2021

A by-law to accept, assume and dedicate lands for public highway purposes.

23.3

By-law 50-2021

A by-law to amend By-law Number 95-2007 being a by-law to set out all the roads in the Regional Road System to delete Regional Road 6 (Embleton Road) from Regional Road 1 (Mississauga Road) to Regional Road 19 (Winston Churchill Boulevard) in the City of Brampton. (Related to 17.1) 

23.4

By-law 51-2021

A by-law to amend By-law Number 15-2013 being a by-law to regulate traffic on roads under the jurisdiction of The Regional Municipality of Peel. (Related to 17.1) 

24.

IN CAMERA MATTERS

24.1

September 9, 2021 Regional Council Closed Session Report

• Resolution Number 2021-964
  Received

This item was dealt with under the Consent Agenda.

24.2

Expropriation Proceedings – Steeles Avenue Widening – EXP-20041.00 – Chinguacousy Road to Mississauga Road – City of Brampton, Wards 4 and 6

(A proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board) 

• Resolution Number 2021-965
  Moved by Councillor Saito
  Seconded by Councillor Sinclair

  That the necessary by-law be enacted authorizing and directing that the following steps be taken with respect to the expropriation of the lands set out in Appendix I to the In Camera report of the Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services and the Commissioner of Public Works, listed on the September 23, 2021 Regional Council agenda titled “Expropriation Proceedings – Steeles Avenue Widening – EXP-20041.00 – Chinguacousy Road to Mississauga Road – City of Brampton, Wards 4 and 6”, and become public upon adoption:

  a. approval of the expropriation;

  b. execution and registration of a Certificate of Approval;

  c. registration of a Plan of Expropriation;

  d. service of the Notice of Expropriation, Notice of Possession and Notice of Election;

  e. preparation of an appraisal report of the market value of the expropriated lands and, if applicable, damages for injurious affection and other compensation;

  f. service upon the registered owners of the offer of full compensation and the offer for immediate payment of 100 per cent of the market value of the expropriated lands in accordance with s.25 of the Expropriations Act, together with the appraisal report;

  g. payment of compensation offered pursuant to s.25 of the Expropriations Act, upon acceptance by the owners; and,

  h. all necessary steps be taken to obtain possession of the lands.

  Carried

This item was dealt with under the Consent Agenda.

25.

BY-LAWS RELATING TO IN CAMERA MATTERS

• Resolution Number 2021-966
  Moved by Councillor Parrish
  Seconded by Councillor Fonseca

  That the by-law relating to In Camera Item 24.2 being By-law 52-2021, be given the required number of readings, taken as read, signed by the Regional Chair and the Regional Clerk, and the Corporate Seal be affixed thereto.

  Carried

26.

BY-LAW TO CONFIRM THE PROCEEDINGS OF COUNCIL

• Resolution Number 2021-967
  Moved by Councillor Saito
  Seconded by Councillor Santos

  That By-law 53-2021 to confirm the proceedings of Regional Council at its meeting held on September 23, 2021, 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 Regional Clerk, and the Corporate Seal be affixed thereto.

  Carried

27.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 11:59 a.m.