Community and Protective Services Committee

Members

Chair:

Vice Chair:

Members:

Ex officio:

Councillor
Diane Deans

Councillor
Shad Qadri

Councillor Georges Bédard Councillor Michel Bellemare
Councillor Rick Chiarelli
Councillor Alex Cullen
Councillor Peggy Feltmate
Councillor Diane Holmes

Mayor Larry O’Brien

The Community and Protective Services Committee is an amalgamation of the former Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee and the former Emergency and Protective Services Committee. The Terms of Reference for both of these former Committees are set out below. The Terms of Reference for the Community and Protective Services Committee (as well as all other Standing Committees) will be updated following Council consideration of the mid-term governance review (slated for January, 2009).

Emergency and Protective Services Committee - Terms of Reference

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee is responsible for issues relating to the Ottawa Fire Services, Ottawa Paramedic Service, By-law Services (excepting those by-laws that are strictly rural in nature) and the Office of Emergency Management.

Membership

Membership of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee shall consist of 9 members of City Council, appointed by the Nominating Committee and approved by City Council. The Mayor is an ex-officio member.

General Responsibilities

  1. The Emergency and Protective Services Committee shall:
    Be responsible directly to Council for those items emanating from:
    1. the By-law Services Branch, the Office of Emergency Management, Ottawa Fire Services Branch, and the Ottawa Paramedic Service Branch of the Community and Protective Services Department; and
    2. advisory committees that are within the area of responsibility of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee.
  2. Provide overall guidance and direction to the Community and Protective Services Department.
  3. Monitor the associated activities and implementation of programs and projects of the applicable branches within the Community and Protective Services Department.
  4. Ensure active public participation by receiving delegations from the public, and holding public hearings as required by statute and Council.
  5. Subsequent to the approval of the budget, review and approval of all operating and capital budget adjustments that are within the existing funding envelopes for the applicable branches within the Community and Protective Services Department (inclusive of fleet and real property (new, renovations, major rehabilitation) capital projects falling under the responsibility of this standing committee).
  6. Subsequent to the approval of the budget, consider, for recommendation to Council:
    1. the policy direction and prioritization, but not the funding requirements, of new matters which are within the Committee’s mandate; and
    2. matters which were not previously approved, but can be accommodated within the applicable departmental existing capital or operating budgets.
  7. Recommend to Council proposed by-laws that are under the Committee’s jurisdiction.
  8. Pursuant to the Delegation of Authority By-law, (Section – Conferences and Conventions), approve Councillors travel and attendance at conferences that are related to the Committee’s mandate.
  9. Review and recommend to Council revisions to the Emergency and Protective Services Committee Terms of Reference, as required.
  10. Review and recommend to Council matters related to Advisory Committees under the Standing Committee’s responsibility, such as but not limited to the Advisory Committee membership, the Terms of Reference, annual workplans and reporting, and funding requests.
  11. Recommend to Council, City of Ottawa participation in federal or provincial cost-sharing programs or employment incentive programs for matters within the mandate of the Committee.

Specific Responsibilities

Ottawa Fire Services

Objectives

To oversee the provision of a wide range of preventative and emergency services (including: fire suppression; rescue, tiered response; prevention and public education; hazardous materials, public assistance, and disaster support) to ensure the safety, protection and quality of life of the citizens of, and visitors to, the City of Ottawa.

Guidance and Direction

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee shall provide overall guidance and direction to staff, by reviewing and making recommendations to Council on reports dealing with Ottawa Fire Services, with responsibility to:

  • ensure that the service is provided in accordance with the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, National Fire Protection Association Guidelines, Ontario Fire Marshal’s Guidelines, and other relevant legislation and guidelines;
  • establish strategic direction and priorities for the Ottawa Fire Services Branch;
  • ensure effective coordination between the Ottawa Fire Services Branch and other protective service providers and corporate support services; and
  • ensure that the service is in keeping with the overall policy guidelines as developed by the Emergency and Protective Services Committee.

Ottawa Paramedic Service

Objectives

To provide a high quality emergency medical service based upon modern medical science for pre-hospital care. This service will use the benchmarks of high performance emergency medical services: clinical excellence; response time reliability; customer satisfaction; and, economic efficiency with an overall goal to ensure the safety and quality of life of the citizens of, and visitors to, the City of Ottawa.

Guidance and Direction

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee shall provide overall guidance and direction to staff, by reviewing and making recommendations to Council on reports dealing with Ottawa Paramedic Service, with responsibility to:

  • ensure that the service is provided in accordance with the Ambulance Act, its Regulations and other relevant legislation;
  • establish strategic direction and priorities for the Ottawa Paramedic Service Branch;
  • ensure effective coordination between the Ottawa Paramedic Service Branch and other protective service providers and corporate support services; and
  • ensure that the service is in keeping with the overall policy guidelines as developed by the Emergency and Protective Services Committee.

By-law Services

Objectives

To oversee the enforcement and administration of regulations and policies relating to animals, noise, the licensing of vehicles and businesses, care of streets and other regulatory by-laws, with a view to ensuring the safety, protection and quality of life of the citizens of, and visitors to, the City of Ottawa.

Guidance and Direction

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee shall provide overall guidance and direction to staff, by reviewing and making recommendations to Council on reports dealing with By-law Services, excepting those by-laws that are strictly rural in nature, with responsibility to:

  • ensure that the service is provided in accordance with the Municipal Act and other relevant legislation and in compliance with corporate policies and procedures as well as national, provincial and industry guidelines/standards;
  • establish strategic direction and priorities for the By-law Services Branch;
  • ensure effective coordination between the By-law Services Branch and other protective service providers and corporate support services; and
  • ensure that the service is in keeping with the overall policy guidelines as developed by the Emergency and Protective Services Committee.

Office of Emergency Management

Objectives

To oversee the provision of the Office of Emergency Management to ensure that effective emergency measures planning, disaster management processes, training and education services are in place to ensure the citizens and visitors of Ottawa are protected in the event of a major emergency.

Guidance and Direction

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee shall provide overall guidance and direction to staff, by reviewing and making recommendations to Council on reports dealing with the Office of Emergency Management, with responsibility to:

  • ensure that the service is provided in accordance with the Emergency Plans Act, and other relevant legislation and in accordance with corporate policies and procedures as well as national, provincial and industry guidelines/standards;
  • establish strategic direction and priorities for the Office of Emergency Management;
  • ensure effective coordination between the Office of Emergency Management and other protective service providers and corporate support services; and
  • ensure that the service is in keeping with the overall policy guidelines as developed by the Emergency and Protective Services Committee.

9-1-1 Service

Objectives

To oversee the provision of 9-1-1 Services to ensure that the correct emergency service providers (Ottawa Fire Services, Ottawa Paramedic Service, Ottawa Police Services) are dispatched to respond to a life-threatening medical emergency, a crime in progress, or a fire with a view to ensuring the safety, protection and quality of life of the citizens of, and visitors to, the City of Ottawa.

Guidance and Direction

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee shall provide overall guidance and direction to staff, by reviewing and making recommendations to Council on reports dealing with 9-1-1 Services, with responsibility to:

  • ensure that the service is provided in accordance with corporate policies and procedures as well as national, provincial and industry guidelines/standards;
  • establish strategic direction and priorities for the 9-1-1 Service;
  • ensure effective coordination between the 9-1-1 Service and other dispatch agencies; and
  • ensure that the 9-1-1- Service is in keeping with the overall policy guidelines as developed by the Emergency and Protective Services Committee.

License Committee

Composition

A License Committee shall consist of three (3) members of the Emergency and Protective Services Committee with the balance of EPSC members being available to sit as necessary in the event of the unavailability of one of the sitting members, and with its members and Chair recommended by the Emergency and Protective Services Committee and approved by City Council. Three members must be present for the entire proceedings to be heard.

Responsibilities

The License Committee shall:

  • review, in accordance with the Statutory Powers Procedures Act, cases relating to license suspensions, revocations, refusals and renewals brought forward by the Chief License Inspector;
  • make final and binding decisions respecting license suspensions and revocations as well as the imposition of conditions as a requirement for obtaining, continuing to hold or renewing a license;
  • on behalf of City Council, act as the Animal Control Tribunal to: conduct hearings to review, in accordance with the Statutory Powers Procedures Act, appeals to dog muzzling and/or leashing orders issued by the Chief License Inspector, or his/her designate, as a result of dog bite or attack incidents; and
  • make final and binding decisions respecting such appeals, including exempting the owners of dogs from the muzzling or leashing requirement, or both, or confirming the muzzling or leashing requirement or both.

Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee - Terms of Reference

The Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee is responsible for issues relating to the following Branches of the Community and Protective Services Department: Housing Services, Public Health/Medical Officer of Health, Long Term Care, Employment and Financial Assistance, Parks and Recreation, Cultural Services and Community Funding, and the Ottawa Public Library. The Committee will assist City Council in its efforts to support the Community and Protective Services Department’s mission to foster a healthy community that promotes and supports quality of life so citizens can fully participate in, and contribute to, the life of their community.

Membership

Membership of the Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee shall consist of 9 members of City Council, appointed by the Nominating Committee and approved by City Council. The Mayor is an ex-officio member.

General Responsibilities

The Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee shall:

  1. Be responsible directly to Council for those items emanating from:
    1. the Housing Branch, the Ottawa Public Library Board, the Public Health Branch, the Cultural Services & Community Funding Branch, the Employment & Financial Assistance Branch, the Long Term Care Branch, and the Parks & Recreation Branch of the Community and Protective Services Department;
    2. the Surface Operations Branch of the Public Works and Services Department on items related to parks and sports fields; and
    3. advisory committees that are within the area of responsibility of the Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee.
  2. Provide overall guidance and direction to the Community and Protective Services Department, and the Surface Operations Branch of the Public Works and Services Department on items related to parks and sports fields.
  3. Monitor the associated activities and implementation of programs and projects of the applicable branches within the Community and Protective Services Department, and the Surface Operations Branch of the Public Works and Services Department on items related to parks and sports fields.
  4. Ensure active public participation by receiving delegations from the public, and holding public hearings as required by statute and Council.
  5. Subsequent to the approval of the budget, review and approve all operating and capital budget adjustments that are within the existing funding envelopes for the applicable branches within the Community and Protective Services Department (inclusive of fleet and real property (new, renovations, major rehabilitation) capital projects falling under the responsibility of this standing committee), (ii) the Surface Operations Branch (relating to parks and sports fields) of the Public Works and Services Department, (iii) the Public Works and Services capital projects related to parks growth, and (iv) the Ottawa Public Library Board approved operating and capital budgets.
  6. Subsequent to the approval of the budget, consider, for recommendation to Council:
    1. the policy direction and prioritization, but not the funding requirements, of new matters which are within a Committee’s mandate; and
    2. matters which were not previously approved, but can be accommodated within the applicable departmental existing capital or operating budgets.
  7. Pursuant to the Delegation of Authority By-law (Section – Conferences and Conventions), approve Councillors travel and attendance at conferences that are relative to the Committee’s mandate.
  8. Review and recommend to Council revisions to the Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee Terms of Reference, as required.
  9. Review and recommend to Council matters related to Advisory Committees under the Standing Committee’s responsibility, such as but not limited to the Advisory Committee membership, the Terms of Reference, annual workplans and reporting, and funding requests.
  10. Recommend to Council proposed by-laws that are under the Committee’s jurisdiction.
  11. Review and recommend to Council the recommendations submitted by the Commemorative Naming Committee with respect to commemorative naming of City parks, excepting those applications in the rural areas.
  12. Recommend to Council City of Ottawa participation in federal or provincial cost-sharing programs or employment incentive programs for matters within the mandate of the Committee.

Specific Responsibilities

Housing Services

Objectives

To enhance the quality of life of citizens of the City of Ottawa through direct management and community partnerships to provide cost-effective, social, affordable and supportive housing and to address the problems of homelessness.

Guidance and Direction

The Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee shall provide overall guidance and direction to staff, by reviewing and making recommendations to Council on reports dealing with affordable housing, social housing, supportive housing and homelessness, with the responsibility to:

  • monitor the activities and implementation of policies, programs and projects of the Housing Services Branch;
  • ensure the population of the City of Ottawa is adequately and affordably housed;
  • meet the needs of residents eligible for social housing, including those requiring support services (supportive housing) to live independently in the community;
  • promote options for increasing the supply of affordable housing;
  • ensure the delivery of emergency shelter and transitional housing services;
  • ability to receive reports from non-profit housing groups in the City, as required, including the Ottawa Community Housing Corporation; and
  • implement initiatives to address homelessness.

Public Health/Medical Officer of Health

Objectives

To enhance the health of the citizens of the City of Ottawa by carrying out its responsibilities under the Health Protection and Promotion Act and local by-laws, and through the provision of public health services responsive to changing needs, including the following:

  • to enforce applicable provincial legislation and municipal by-laws (excepting Tobacco Inspection);
  • to implement its mandated obligations for the family health programs in collaboration with the Ministry of Health;
  • to identify, monitor, and respond to evolving health needs;
  • to reduce and eliminate, if possible, preventable disease, disability and premature death;
  • to operate in a financially responsible manner;
  • to provide readily accessible services in all communities served;
  • to direct programs to areas of greatest need/benefit;
  • to advise local health professionals, decision-makers, community workers, and the public of the services and actions contributing to improved health;
  • to promote life-style practices leading to personal and community wellness;
  • to contribute a public health perspective to the planning and provision of services by other agencies; and
  • to promote and participate in the teaching of sound public health principles and practices to health professionals, students and the public.
Guidance and Direction

The Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee shall provide overall guidance and direction to staff, by reviewing and making recommendations to Council on reports dealing with the following topics:

  • Communicable Disease Control;
  • Environmental Health;
  • Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention;
  • Family Health;
  • Dental Services; and
  • Community Medicine and Epidemiology.

Long Term Care

Objectives

To manage the Homes for the Aged to accommodate aged City of Ottawa residents and enhance their quality of life, in accordance with the Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act, and its regulations, and other relevant long term care legislation.

Guidance and Direction

With regard to the Long Term Care Branch, the Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee shall:

  • bring forward all concerns arising from its mandate related to long term care that are of significance to the long-range strategic planning and policy development processes as well as any other matters originating in the Committee likely to have an impact on policy in social services or the health area in the City of Ottawa;
  • ensure adherence to Homes for the Aged and Rest Homes Act and its regulations, and other relevant long term care legislation;
  • ensure that the programs of the Long Term Care Branch are in keeping with the overall policy guidelines as developed by the Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee; and
  • ensure that allocated monies are spent to meet the long term care needs of citizens in the community, whether through institutional care or outreach programs.

Employment and Financial Assistance

Objectives

To provide access to responsive and integrated employment and financial services, which support a citizen’s move toward self-reliance and enable them to participate in and contribute to the life of their community.

Guidance and Direction

The Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee shall provide overall guidance and direction to the Employment and Financial Assistance Branch by reviewing, revising where necessary, and submitting to Council, reports and recommendations of the Branch in regard to:

  • Financial Assistance;
  • Employment Services;
  • Home Help Training/Home Help Program;
  • Family Support Program;
  • Essential Health and Social Supports;
  • Workforce Development; and
  • Eligibility Review Program.

Parks and Recreation Services

Objectives

To focus on the development of a strong and healthy community by enhancing and overseeing the provision of efficient, cost effective parks planning and development, recreational programs and partnerships, and childcare services to enable the optimal physical, emotional and social well-being of citizens within the community.

Guidance and Direction

The Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee will receive, review and make recommendations to Council on reports received on the following topics:

  • Children’s services including licensed and subsidized child care;
  • Recreation and parks programs including aquatics, field sports, ice sports, fitness, special needs, and other instructional programs; and
  • Planning and maintenance of recreational facilities, parks, and sports fields.

The Committee will be responsible for ensuring the City of Ottawa meets or exceeds:

  • its mandated obligations for the Service System Management for Child Care;
  • the community’s expectations with respect to recreation and parks programming and facility use; and
  • the community’s expectations with respect to recreational facilities, parks and sports fields planning and maintenance.

Cultural Services and Community Funding

Objectives

To develop partnerships and to provide funding to community groups in the health, social services, recreation, arts and heritage and employment sectors for the delivery of innovative programs and services that respond to community need. To develop policies and programs that respond to community need and to provide planning and strategic support to Departmental Branches.

Guidance and Direction

The Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee shall provide overall guidance and direction to the Cultural Services and Community Funding Branch by reviewing, revising where necessary, and submitting to Council, reports and recommendations of the Branch in regard to:

  • Arts and Cultural Affairs;
  • Museums and Archives; and
  • Community Funding and Development.

Ottawa Public Library

Objectives

To deliver public library service for Ottawa residents of all ages in accordance with community needs for lifelong learning, education, culture and leisure;

  • To provide timely access to accurate and useful information in a variety of formats and technologies;
  • To support intellectual freedom as the prerequisite for an informed, democratic society;
  • To add to the sense of community within the City of Ottawa;
  • To provide an electronic gateway to the world of the Internet and beyond; and
  • To provide efficient, effective and equitable public library service.
Guidance and Direction

Subsequent to the approval of the budget, the Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee shall review any budget adjustments that are within the existing funding envelope of the Ottawa Public Library.

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