Release of Section 37 Funds to Support the Purchase of Permanent Office and Community Meeting Space for the Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council in Regent Park - by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, seconded by Councillor Mike Layton

As the Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council is the coordinating agency for the leading Indigenous organizations in Toronto having access to adequate and culturally-designed meeting space is critical to the success and effective operation of the organizations and their membership. TASSC was presented with an opportunity to purchase its permanent office space at 660 Dundas Street East in Ward 13 Toronto Centre. This 3100 square feet office space will be owned and operated by TASSC and will be available to their member agencies and other local Regent Park organizations upon request. This office space will be used for the daily operations of the Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council, community meetings, gatherings, ceremonies, events and other community activities. The building developer, The Daniels Corporation has offered to contribute $300,000.00 towards the partial construction costs in addition to a $93,930.00 reduction to the purchase price. The Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council has submitted a funding application through the Federal Government's Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund for $1,969,159.00. Should the Federal funding be approved, the Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council must also demonstrate they have external funding contributions from other sources. The benefit of acquiring this office space for TASSC include but are not limited to: i. Indigenous community-owned and operated space ii. Construction of customized interior that is suitable to TASSC and member agencies and culture iii. Enhance the presence of Aboriginal communities and cultures in the downtown core. iv. Extension/expansion of available space for all TASSC member agencies v. Potential income generated for TASSC through space rental will allow them to continue to provide sustainable self-govern, community-based programs and services vi. Alignment with the City's mandate for the enhancement of accessible, community-owned and driven spaces for the benefit of urban Indigenous Peoples in our city. Cost structure and funding Total cost, purchase and build-out: $2,634,159.00 Confirmed contribution from The Daniels Corporation for build-out costs is $300,000 Requesting $1,969,159 funding from Federal Government's Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund Requesting $650,000 of funding to assist with the purchase of the office space from the City of Toronto Funds have been secured through a Section 37 agreement for the development at 88 Queen Street East for the community, recreation and/or cultural space improvements in the ward and this project is befitting of such intention. The funds secured have been received by the City and sufficient monies remain uncommitted for this project.

2. City Council direct that the $650,000.00 be forwarded to Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council, subject to the Council signing an Undertaking governing the use of the funds and the financial reporting requirements. 3. City Council direct the General Manager, Social Development Finance and Administration to participate in the preparation of the Community Access Agreement before the release of City funds and City Council request the City Solicitor to draw up the Agreement, in consultation with the Ward Councillor.