Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Advisory Committee
The full agenda, as filed
All 8 items in the clerk’s order. Each carries the city’s own words: the staff recommendation, what the body decided, and its status. Nothing below is written by us.
QS3.1received
Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, Chair, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit Advisory Committee, will update the Committee on recent events and initiatives.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit Advisory Committee received the item for information.
QS3.2adopted
At the June 22, 2021 meeting of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit Advisory Committee, Equity and Human Rights staff presented proposed list of priority issues for member discussion, based on previous community consultations. This served as the basis by which members identified what they believed to be priority issues facing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit Communities in Toronto. Based on this feedback Equity and Human Rights staff have compiled a final list that will serve as the work plan for the current term of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit Advisory Committee to strategically inform its work.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit Advisory Committee: 1. Received the report (September 13, 2021) from the Director, Equity and Human Rights for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Director, Equity and Human Rights recommends that: 1. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit Advisory Committee receive this report for information.
QS3.3received
Toronto Poverty Reduction Strategy
The Manager, Poverty Reduction Strategy Office, Social Development, Finance and Administration, will give a presentation on the Toronto Poverty Reduction Strategy.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit Advisory Committee received the item for information.
QS3.4amended
The Director, Housing Secretariat will give a presentation on Supporting Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Communities in Accessing Safe Affordable and Supportive Housing.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit Advisory Committee: 1. Requested the Director, Housing Secretariat to incorporate the Committee's feedback into the Housing Secretariat's strategy for engaging with Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer communities.
QS3.5amended
The Director, Homelessness Initiatives and Prevention Services, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, will give a presentation on Supporting Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Communities in Toronto's Shelter and Overnight Services System.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit Advisory Committee recommends that: 1. City Council oppose the excessive armed police presence in the clearing of encampments in the context of the City's homelessness and Housing First solutions.
QS3.6amended
Digital Infrastructure Plan: Equity, Bias, and Discrimination Considerations
The Manager, Connected Community, and the Management Consultant, Technology Services, will provide a presentation on the Digital Infrastructure Plan, which will guide the use of data and technology by the City of Toronto. Special attention will be paid to equity, bias, and discrimination considerations with regard to digital infrastructure. Public consultations are planned for September and October.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit Advisory Committee: 1. Requested the Chief Technology Officer to incorporate the Committee's feedback into the work on the Digital Infrastructure Plan.
QS3.7amended
New Tools for Protecting Local Culture
The Interim General Manager, Economic Development and Culture will present preliminary information on the development of a new cultural district designation for the City of Toronto to preserve and protect intangible cultural heritage in the city. This presentation seeks to gain strategic feedback and advice from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit Advisory Committee.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Two-Spirit Advisory Committee: 1. Requested the Interim General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to incorporate the Committee's feedback into the development of a cultural district plan for the City of Toronto.
QS3.8adopted
Funding Cuts to AIDS Committee of Toronto and Other Health Service Providers
Recently, the Public Health Agency of Canada informed the AIDS Committee of Toronto and other HIV/AIDS health service providers that their funding will be decreased significantly over the next five years. These funding cuts are putting the supports our communities need in jeopardy and will have a considerable and measurable impact on the thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS in Toronto and across Canada. Keeping these health programs and services free and accessible to all is critical to continue the work towards a city with zero new HIV infections, zero HIV-related stigma and discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths. The House of Commons Standing Committee on Health and the Senate of Canada have both recommended that funding to the federal HIV/AIDS strategy be increased to $100 million annually. This increase has never been realized and has actually remained the same since 2003. These funding cuts come at a time when our community needs these services now more than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has further marginalized many populations at risk of human immunodeficiency virus, Hepatitis C virus and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, and it has both taught us the dangers of underfunding public health and demonstrated our capacity to mobilize resources when needed. If we are going to meet Canada's commitment to both the UNAIDS and World Health Organization viral hepatitis elimination targets, it will be critical for us to invest in and expand HIV/AIDS health programs and services, not reduce them.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit Advisory Committee recommends to the Executive Committee that: 1. City Council express its disappointment and concern with the Federal Government's decision to significantly reduce funding the HIV/AIDS health service providers in Toronto and across Canada. 2. City Council support the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health's recommendation and urge the Federal Government to increase the federal HIV/AIDS strategy funding to $100 million annually beginning in 2022.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit Advisory Committee recommends to the Executive Committee that: 1. City Council express its disappointment and concern with the Federal Government's decision to significantly reduce funding the HIV/AIDS health service providers in Toronto and across Canada. 2. City Council support the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health's recommendation and urge the Federal Government to increase the federal HIV/AIDS strategy funding to $100 million annually beginning in 2022.