1. SENIORS
ADVISORY COMMITTEE - 2007 ANNUAL REPORT AND 2008 WORKPLAN
COMITÉ CONSULTATIF SUR LES PERSONNES ÂGÉES – RAPPORT ANNUEL DE 2007 ET
PLAN DE TRAVAIL 2008 |
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
That Council:
1. Receive
the 2007 Annual Report of the Seniors Advisory Committee as detailed in
Document 1; and
2. Approve
the objectives contained in the 2008 workplan, as detailed in Document 2.
RECOMMENDATIONS DU COMITÉ
Que le
Conseil :
1. reçoive
le Rapport annuel de 2007 du Comité consultatif sur les personnes âgées, tel
que décrit à la pièce jointe no 1; et
2. approuve les objectifs qui sont
présentés dans le plan de travail 2008, tel que décrit à la pièce jointe no 2.
DOCUMENTATION
1.
Chair, Seniors Advisory Committee
report dated 4 March 2008
(ACS2008-CCV-SAC-0001).
Report
to/Rapport au:
Community
and Protective Services Committee/
Comité des services communautaires et de
protection
and Council/et au Conseil
4 March 2008 / le 4 mars 2008
Submitted by/Soumis par: Marg Coll, Chair/présidente
Seniors Advisory Committee/Comité consultatif sur
les personnes âgées
Contact/Personne-ressource: Tania Richard,
Committee Coordinator/Coordonnatrice du comité
consultatif
|
City Wide / À l’échelle de la ville |
Ref N°: ACS2008-CCV-SAC-0001 |
SUBJECT: SENIORS
ADVISORY COMMITTEE - 2007 ANNUAL REPORT AND 2008 WORK PLAN
OBJET: COMITÉ
CONSULTATIF SUR LES PERSONNES ÂGÉES - RAPPORT ANNUEL DE 2007 ET PLAN DE TRAVAIL
2008
REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Seniors Advisory Committee recommend that the Community and Protective Services Committee recommend Council:
1. Receive the 2007
Annual Report of the Seniors Advisory Committee as detailed in Document 1; and
2. Approve the objectives
contained in the 2008 workplan, as detailed in Document 2.
Que le Comité consultatif sur les personnes
âgées recommande que le Comité des services communautaires et de protection recommande que le Conseil :
1. reçoive le Rapport annuel
de 2007 du Comité consultatif sur les personnes âgées, tel que décrit à la
pièce jointe no 1; et
2. approuve les objectifs qui sont
présentés dans le plan de travail 2008, tel que décrit à la pièce jointe no 2.
City Council, on 6 December 2006, reconfirmed its governance structure. This included the advisory committees, and the requirement for each to complete a workplan outlining proposed projects and activities for the upcoming year. The workplan is to identify each and every activity the Committee plans to undertake in the upcoming year, whether they have a budgetary impact or not. Each item should be identified with a brief description of the project or activity.
The Lead Department Representatives are to provide the Committee with information on the departmental workplan and priorities, where the workplans of the Committees tie into that workplan, and where the Committee can assist the Department. The Lead Department Representative will also advise on what staff and/or financial resources are available as part of departmental priorities.
There was no funding approved for the advisory committee 2008 workplans.
DISCUSSION
At its meeting of 16 January 2008, the Seniors Advisory Committee
(SAC) approved its 2007 annual report and 2008 workplan. The final version of each of these documents
is found at Attachments 1 and 2 of this report, respectively.
The mandate of the
Seniors Advisory Committee is to act as a liaison to
enrich and enhance the lives of seniors in the City, identify barriers, form
partnerships with the community, and act as a public forum for issues affecting
seniors.
Community and Protective Services Department
The
Community and Protective Services (CPS) Department appreciates the advice and
support provided by the SAC in 2007 as outlined in the 2007 Annual Report
(Attachment 1) including participation in the City of Ottawa’s Seniors Agenda
as well as important issues referred to the Department such as the elimination
of trans fats from public eating establishments, increase of allowable assets
under Essential Health and Social Support Program (EHSS), the need for basic
dental coverage, the City Housing Strategy to develop more supportive,
affordable and accessible housing, among many others.
The Department
supports the SAC’s 2008 workplan (Attachment 2) including key activities such
as tracking new and emerging issues and bringing these to city decision-makers,
monitoring the pilot “Aging in Place” projects established through the Local
Health Integration Network (LHIN), and continuing participation of SAC members
on the Seniors Agenda Working Group to provide their input/perspective on the
inventory of services being developed and collaborating on the identification
of innovative policies and techniques and solutions that are applicable to
Ottawa, among many others.
The Surface Operations Branch of the Public Works and Services Department has reviewed the 2007 Annual Report, 2008 Work Plan and Terms of Reference as prepared by the Seniors Advisory Committee. The Surface Operations Branch will continue to work with the Seniors Advisory Committee on the Snow Go and Snow Go Assist Programs in 2008.
The Planning, Transit and the Environment Department look forward to continuing to work with the Seniors Advisory Committee in 2008, specifically on accessibility and transit issues.
There are no
financial impacts from this report.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document 1 – 2007 Annual Report of the Seniors Advisory Committee
Document 2 – Proposed 2008 Workplan of the Seniors Advisory Committee
Document 3 – Seniors Advisory Committee Terms of
Reference (held on file)
The Advisory Committee will work to complete the workplan tasks approved by City Council.
DOCUMENT 1
The City of Ottawa Seniors Advisory committee with a
membership of three (3) men and six (6) women held nine meetings in 2007. Various motions were put forward to the
Standing committees of the City of Ottawa covering a wide range of seniors’
issues.
At the November 2007 meeting the Seniors Advisory
Committee updated its Work Plan for 2008 retaining four sub-committees, namely,
Budget, Health and Well Being, Housing and Transportation. Committee members
chose whichever subcommittee they wished to lend their experience and
understanding of seniors’ issues within urban and rural Ottawa.
As a result, the Seniors Advisory Committee has
maintained the ability to fulfill recommendations guiding the committee’s
activities thus achieving goals set out in the City of Ottawa Seniors Agenda.
Seniors Advisory Committee members have been and are
presently active in the community, attending City of Ottawa consultations,
presentations and meetings with service providers, senior’s groups, counsellors
and other advisory committee meetings.
These meetings have assisted and will continue to assist the Seniors
Advisory Committee in generating seniors’ issue-related motions and inclusion
in the City of Ottawa’s agenda.
CONSULTATIONS,
PRESENTATIONS AND MEETINGS WERE AS FOLLOWS:
The Seniors Advisory Committee made a presentation on December 5, 2007 on the 2008 budget considering the following items:
· all riders of Para Transpo within Ottawa boundaries should be treated equally when it comes to payment of fares
· libraries in rural areas should not be closed
· make sure the Snow Go program proceeds
· keep sidewalks and bus stops cleared
· calling out of stops by the bus drivers should be mandated
· retain the Home Help Program
The Seniors Advisory Committee made presentations supporting motions on:
a) Calling Out Stops
b) Parity throughout the City for Para Transpo customers.
The Seniors Advisory Committee members attended a
Seniors Agenda Steering Committee meeting with Dorothy Robinson, Canada
Mortgage and Housing Corporation, in September regarding Home Adaptation for
Senior’s Independence Programs.
GUEST SPEAKERS AT VARIOUS COMMITTEE MEETINGS INCLUDED
· Joel Koffman, Acting Manager, Transit Services Planning and Development, Acting Transit Services Branch
· Kathy Riley, Accessibility Transit Specialist, OC Transpo
· Lucille Berlinguette-Saumure, Program Manager, Seniors Agenda Community and Protective Services
· Helen Gault, Manager, Transit Services, Planning and Development, Transit Services, Branch Services
· Pat Larkin, Program Manager, Para Transpo, Transit Services Branch
· Marlynne Ferguson, Acting Director, Long Term Care Branch
· Adele Muldoon, Ottawa Senior Transportation Committee
· Siobhan Kearns, Manager, Environmental Health, Public Health Branch,
· Community and Protective Services
· Louise Bourdon, Manager, Operations and Support Services, Long Term Care Branch, Community and Protective Services
· Russell Mawby, director, Housing, community and Protective Services
· John Donaldson, Program Manager, Transit Information and Customer Relation Transit Services
· Pat Curran, Program Manager, Business Development and Partnership, Transit Services
· Barbara Lajeunesse, Grandmothers Against Pesticides
· Pat Scrimgeour, Program Manager, Service Planning, Transit Services
· Ken Hughes, Manager, Revenue, Financial Services
· Leslie Vanclief, Program Manager, Stakeholder Relations, Surface Operations Branch, Public Works and Services
Attending all meetings: Marylynne Ferguson, Seniors Agenda
Diane Breton or Roland Lecomte, Council on Aging
REPORTS TABLED FOR CONSIDERATION BY
THE SENIORS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
- Taxi Script and Chit Program
- Try it, ride it! Transit Ride Program for Seniors
- Service For Seniors – Helping Ottawa Seniors Thrive
- Risk Management and Transportation Services
- Proposed Regulations of Retirement Homes
- Para Transportation Services Delivery
- Inspection of Eating Establishments
- Downtown Transit Operating Strategies
- Transit By-Law
- Proposed City Housing Strategy
- The Use of Ornamental Pesticides
- The Snow Go Program and Snow Go Assist Pilot Program
- Tax Deferral Program for Low-Income Seniors and Low-Income People with Disabilities
- to Community and Protective Services Committee recommending a wider time frame for OC Transpo bus drivers to assure safety of passengers
- to endorse Poverty Issues Advisory Committee re: Basic Dental Coverage
- to support Para Transpo’s planned services changes for 2007 re: plans to improve services for seniors and passengers with disabilities
- to Community Protective Services Committee, a recommendation that Council request the MOH be asked if the Public Health Unit has plans to have artificial trans fats banned from being used in public eating establishments
- to support a new policy approved by Employment and Financial Assistance Branch re: increase of allowable asset levels for Essential Health and Social Support Program
- to acknowledge acceptance of the pilot project for snow windrow removal for seniors with disabilities
- to support allowing seniors and people with disabilities the opportunity to defer taxes until the home is sold
- to support Poverty Issues Advisory Committee re: recommendation to Community and Protective Services committee, Planning and Environment Committee and Council to approve City Housing Strategy report
- to recommend Para Transpo customers receive notification in writing re: availability of trip vouchers
- to support Councillor Cullen’s motion re: Trans Fats
- to endorse Poverty Issues Advisory Committee recommendation that the City use the $7M from Ministry of Housing for housing needs and not for other purposes
- to support the Proposed City Housing Strategy 2007 – 2010 to develop supportive, affordable and accessible housing
- to recommend the City prior to January ’08 review Para Transpo issue of parity of Para transportation costs for rural seniors and people with disabilities.
- to OC Transpo re planned Try It campaign
- to Dorothy Robinson, CMHC re clarification of their assistance program for seniors
The Committee is represented on a continuous basis on the following committees:
· Aging Ottawa
· Council on Aging
· Ottawa Seniors Transportation Committee
· Poverty Issues Advisory Committee
· Interfaith Network, ROTIS
· Senior Citizens Council
· The Seniors Agenda, City of Ottawa
· Community Funding Allocations Committee
The Seniors Advisory Committee had a display for information and recruitment at the Ottawa City Seniors Day.
Members represented the Committee at the Housing Across Canada Forum and Policy Forum on Housing for Seniors.
DOCUMENT
2
2008
SENIORS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(SAC)
WORK PLAN
Objective 1: Provide input to city planners to ensure continuity of initiatives, priority for senior’s issues and visibility of the advisory committee.
Activities:
Ø Invite city staff and others with responsibility for and information about issues we are pursuing.
Ø Put forth appropriate motions related to these issues. Current issues include: transportation, housing, rural issues, seniors at all ages and their access to programs.
Ø Track new and emerging issues and bring these to the attention of decision makers and city staff.
Ø Hold offsite meetings to visit delegations in the outlying areas of the city as appropriate.
Ø Investigate and provide input for city supported initiatives and community partnerships that affect seniors.
Ø Provide input into developing plans for coping with the tremendous growth in the senior’s population in suburban and rural areas.
Ø Keep abreast of pandemic planning as it affects seniors.
Objective 2: Subcommittees to continue with identified priorities that have resulted from public consultations and the subcommittees’ ongoing investigation of issues.
Activities:
Transportation Subcommittee:
Ø The Transportation Subcommittee will liaise with the Ottawa Seniors Transportation Committee, which represents various seniors organizations.
Ø Continue to liaise and monitor OC Transpo and ParaTranspo services re availability and accessibility for seniors including new developments that benefit seniors and rural issues.
Housing Subcommittee:
Ø Maintain contact with housing authorities to ensure senior’s needs are addressed by attending presentations/workshops related to housing for seniors.
Ø Volunteer to have a member attend and participate in the Senior’s Agenda meetings re housing.
Ø Monitor the pilot “Aging in Place” projects established through the Local Health Integration Network (LHIN).
Ø Monitor the tax deferral plan for qualified seniors.
Ø Liaise with the Rotis network to be aware of strategies to assist isolated seniors.
Ø Monitor the Snow Go Program.
Ø Monitor services available and needs of those 85 and over, living in their own homes as long as possible.
Ø Monitor issues concerning seniors centers and community centers, pursue consultations with these centers identifying areas where senior’s centers need to be established and areas of the city where senior’s centers and community centers that serve seniors are in danger of being lost.
Ø Determine the barriers to senior’s participation in Public Health Community Program Centers and report on policies to overcome these barriers. Monitor the physical activity strategy.
Objective
3: Meet
with other advisory committees on common issues
Activities:
Ø Meet with other advisory committees on common issues. This group includes The Accessibility Advisory Committee, The Poverty Issues Advisory Committee, Health and Social Services Advisory Committee and any others that may exhibit common interests.
Objective
4: Continue to work with other Community
agencies that represent senior’s issues in Ottawa.
Activities:
Ø Distribute, through the internet, the updated SAC information package, as applicable.
Ø Continue to work with and be represented at Successful Aging Ottawa (SAO), ROTIS and attend other presentations that are brought to the SAC’s attention that impact seniors issues.
Objective
5: Continue to participate in and monitor
the City of Ottawa’s Seniors Agenda.
Activities:
Ø Meet with the organizers of the City of Ottawa’s Senior’s Agenda to exchange information to identify best practices of other cities in Canada with regard to senior’s issues and problems including transportation and access to programs. Collaborate with the Senior’s Agenda in their committee meetings to identify innovative policies and techniques and solutions that are applicable to Ottawa.
Ø Give feedback on the inventory of services being developed as part of the City of Ottawa Senior’s Agenda.
Objective 6: Monitoring Developments at Council
Activities:
Ø Senior’s Advisory Committee should keep track of new developments in the budget and the budget process and approach our respective councilors on issues we have agreed that are pertinent to Ottawa’s seniors, before the passing of the budget.
Ø Monitor and participate in the budget process, particularly with regards to how the new budget will impact existing and planned senior’s programs.
Ø Monitor, for possible impact on senior issues, the outcome of Council’s October 25, 2006 approval of the application of an “accessibility lens” to all reports, motions, policies, procedures and decisions.
Ø Monitor, for possible impact on senior issues, the proposed city wide implication of the Gender Equality Planning Guide.