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It is still Good morning. Good morning. I'd like to

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call this Community and Health Services committee meeting to order

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today. We're going to be discussing the creation of culturally

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responsive childcare in partnership with the Healing of Seven Generations.

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We're going to have an update on the Canada wide

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early learning and childcare directed growth and a preliminary overview

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of the 2024 point in time count. And finally, an

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update on Waterloo regional housing revitalization plan. And the plan,

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committee, and for those who are in the audience, is

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to Deal with the delegation under 5.1 from CUPE local

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5191 and then we'll Also deal with item number

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6.1, the strategy On equitable services and opportunities related to

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30 Christopher and then, with committee's permission, we'll break for

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lunch and after lunch, resume with the rest of the

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agenda Beginning At 6.2, If that's in agreement with everyone.

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To begin This meeting, we're again reminded that many of

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our homes and places of employment in Waterloo region are

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situated on the land that is the traditional territory of

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the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Chonnonton Peoples. We recognize and

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deeply appreciate their historic connection to Waterloo Region and also

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recognize the contributions Indigenous peoples have made in shaping and

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strength in this community. We are grateful for the opportunity

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to live and work here and reaffirm our collective commitment

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to keep the promise that reconciliation takes Place through learning

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and community building with the Indigenous people who continue to

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live here. We are all treaty people with a responsibility

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to honor our relations. And I just realized I forgot

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To ask for a roll call, which I will now

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ask Julie Hale to do. Thank you Chair. Regional Chair

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Redman. Present. Councillor Craig. Present. Councillor Deutschmann. Chair Erb. Here. Councillor

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Foxton. Present. Councillor Harris. Present. Councillor Huinink. Happy international Day of

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Persons with Disabilities. Here. Councillor James. Present. Councillor Liggett. Present.

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Councillor McCabe. Present. Councillor Nowak. Councillor Salonen. Present. Councillor Shantz. Present.

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We have regrets from Councillor Vrbanovic. Councillor Williams. Present. And Councillor

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Wolf. Present. Thank you. Thank you. Are there any declarations

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of pecuniary Interest under the municipal conflict of interest act.

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Seeing There are none. We have no presentations. We have

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one delegation that has registered, and I'd Like to remind

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the delegation of some guidelines For participation. When we're ready,

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Please proceed to the podium. Make sure the switch on

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the podium is turned on so that we can hear

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what you're saying. You have five minutes to speak. If

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you conduct yourself in any of the following manners, it

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will Result in an immediate removal from the meeting. interrupting

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councillors, staff, or other delegations, derogatory statements about councillors, staff

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or others, and or any hate speech or defamatory comments.

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And one last reminder for the delegation, Please do not

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take any offense if following your presentation There are

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no questions from Council. This is council's time to really

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listen and reflect upon The opinions and ideas shared with

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us from our community members. And a quick reminder to

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the members of the audience, You're asked to maintain order,

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and this means that you are not to address the

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committee Without the permission of the chair, Interrupt anyone, Disrupt

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the meeting with unreasonable noise or vocal expressions such as

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applause, booing or cheering, And the display of signs or

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posters. The sweet sound of a baby crying is fine.

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So I would invite our registered delegation, Nick Desclouds,

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CUPE, to proceed to the podium. Welcome. You have five

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minutes. Hello, regional councillors. I'm here today speaking on behalf

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of CUPE 5191, The paramedics who respond to 911 emergencies

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in your region. I've come to advocate for an issue

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that is more prevalent than ever. Wage parity for paramedics.

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Paramedicine is evolving quickly. It wasn't too long ago we

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were called ambulance drivers. We are now paramedics. And we

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worked hard to obtain this title because what we do

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outside of the hospitals, in your homes, and en route

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to the hospitals, is medicine. Two paramedics can run a

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cardiac arrest In your living room with the same protocols

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as an emergency department's resuscitation Room, which has. Doctors, nurses,

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respiratory therapists. And that's the part of the job we've

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been doing for years. What's changed recently is that paramedics

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are no longer just a means of rapid transport to

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the hospital. We've had a dramatic increase in our scope

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of practice with new medications, skills and protocols. We have

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community paramedics, palliative care directives, The ability to treat and

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discharge patients in their homes. And in 2025, we are

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introducing protocols For alternate destinations. All of this extra education

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has put an increased expectation and responsibility on paramedics to

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ensure our residents not only receive prompt care, but are

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taken to the right destination for the right reasons. And

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I can proudly say the paramedics that serve this region

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continue to rise to the occasion. But these new complexities

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have come without recognizing the fact that we sit far

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behind our emergency services counterparts in wage equality. primary care

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paramedic hourly wages are 22.5% behind local fire services and

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20.8% behind regional police. In addition, due to a

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recent arbitration, paramedic wages are now 8% behind ambulance communication

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officers, the people that dispatch us to emergency calls. One

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of the reasons dispatchers were successful in their arbitration was

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because they compared their wage inequality to police and fire

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dispatchers. We are happy to see our dispatchers achieve the

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wage parity they deserve, but it ignited the conversation between

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paramedic unions across Ontario. Why aren't we doing the same?

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Paramedics that serve this region are feeling the weight of

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this inequality. We see extremely skilled, compassionate, empathetic, and well

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educated coworkers leave our profession to become firefighters and police

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Officers because the wage is simply better. Parity exists across

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police and fire. Why not paramedics? Rectifying this wage

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Correction is a significant ask. It should be noted that

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paramedic services are 50% funded By the province of Ontario

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through the Land Ambulance Service grant So the impact to

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each resident is vastly different compared to when one of

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our ally agencies makes a monetary request. with the advocacy

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from the paramedic services senior leadership team over the past

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few years, You, regional Council, are making significant investments into

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our service. And for that we are grateful. Thank you.

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Thank you for supporting a wellness budget. As a member

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of the peer support team, I can confidently tell you

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that this initiative has been immensely positive and continues to

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improve. Thank you for the service Enhancements following the high

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growth Scenario, something we desperately needed over these past years

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to assist in managing the rapid pace in which our

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call volume and regional population grows. Thank you for increasing

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the number of FTEs to support our paramedics and logistics

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members so they're eligible for health and welfare benefits. All

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of these factors come together to strengthen support For paramedics

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and the challenges we navigate within the healthcare system. But

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from a paramedic's perspective, there is a piece of these

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enhancements that is still missing. Wage parity. councillors, you are

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challenged with incredibly complex problems every day and the impact

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of the decisions you make Have the potential to make

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real change across sectors. I fully appreciate That this ask

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has an impact, but showing paramedics that there is an

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acknowledgment of wage inequality is a commitment to recognition and

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retention. The paramedics that I am fortunate enough to work

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alongside are asking you to close this Wage gap. The

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work your emergency services do is integral to keeping our

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communities safe and supported. We deserve to be valued as

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police and fire's equals, because ultimately we have the same

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shared responsibility to respond to residents when they need us

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most. Thank you again for hearing my presentation. You all

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have incredibly challenging jobs that often go without recognition. A

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commitment to caring for the well being of this region

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and its residents is a goal that I know we

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all share. Thank you. You have 30 more seconds.

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Thank you very much. I don't see any questions from

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councillors. Thank you for being here and for your colleagues.

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Excuse me, Councillor Craig. Sorry, Mr. Chair. I'm so slow

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today on a few items, but I do appreciate your

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commentary. Just to let you know that I got my

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ears pinned back about a year ago for referring to

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paramedics as ambulance drivers, but I've corrected my ways. When

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you look at Your wage request across the province, How

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does it equate out? Like, where are you? can you

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sort of give me an off the cuff answer on

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that? I don't know Off the top of my head,

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I know that there are Services across the province that

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do have wage parity and have just achieved wage parity

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and then there are also services that are kind of

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in our area. And as I mentioned in my presentation,

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One of the things that really ignited this was when

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we saw this arbitration With the ambulance communications officers. as

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you can imagine, The 8% above a primary care paramedic

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who's actually going to these dangerous environments, unpredictable environments, Has

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certainly creates that kind of confusion amongst our paramedics as

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to why that gap exists. And then that's what ignited

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this conversation as to why aren't we looking at police

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and fire. We're all going to the same calls. If

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I may, Mr. Chair, just if I make a comment, I

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Was that a recent Remembrance Day ceremony With different members

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of police were there and paramedics, and I was really

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impressed with that The fact that, Not only do you

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serve community, but You're involved in community. And one aspect

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I never realized Was the fact that you have individuals

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that clean the ambulances each time they come in. I

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never even thought about that, In terms of the difficulty

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of the job from each perspective. So I want to

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thank you for what you do. And just to say

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that I'm sensitive to what you're saying, but we have

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to look at this, okay. Thank you. Thank you. I

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don't see any other questions, so thank you for coming

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in, and thank you to your colleagues for keeping our

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community healthy and safe. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, we

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will move on to item six point one, Creating culturally

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responsive childcare. Mr. Sweeney, do you want to introduce this?

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And then we have some Staff presentation. Yes, my pleasure

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to introduce this today. Council might remember back in April,

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we came with a report Seeking some direction. And you

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approved of that direction For staff to go away and

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work with community Partners To develop an Indigenous led, Indigenous

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focused childcare. And we are here today to present to

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you Our collective idea here, so I'm going to turn

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it over to my colleague Barb Cardow and a few

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members of our community to give a presentation on what

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we're proposing. Thank you. Great. Thank you very much. So

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I'm Barb Cardow, and I'm the director of children services,

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and I just Wanted to share with you that I've

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been in this role for seven years, and shortly After

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I came into this role, I met Donna Dubie, the

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executive director at Healing of Seven Generations. And Donna

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shared with me at that time her long standing dream

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to create an affordable childcare Program Where Indigenous children and

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families could access holistic, accessible, and culturally responsive childcare. And

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Where children and staff could once again experience a sense

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of belonging in the richness of their culture. It was

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a conversation that Donna had had for 15 years with

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my predecessors before me. When CWELLC or the Canada wide

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Early Learning and childcare program was announced And the opportunity

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to access funding to support the creation of new, affordable

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childcare, We saw an opportunity, a way to support the

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creation of Indigenous led childcare. Paulo Whitlow and Stephanie Bryenton

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from the REDI team supported us in beginning an intensive

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process to engage with Indigenous community partners and members of

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the community. I would like to introduce you to Amber

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Robertson, who is our planning associate in children's services, and

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she has led the children services division in this important

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work. And Amber is going to just provide a quick

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overview of what the process Has looked like that led

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us to where we are today. Thank you. With the

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help of Paula and Stephanie, who are here with

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us today, children's services Engaged In a multitude of consultations

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with Indigenous organizations And individuals to understand the needs of

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children who are First Nation, Inuit, and Metis in our community.

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You can move a couple of slides.

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So in April of this year,

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We received Council approval to look into our two children's

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facilities at 104 Sterling and at 30 Christopher Drive, and

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we were acutely aware of the lack of appropriate, safe

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and high quality space that's available in our community. And

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the Healing of the Seven Generations through our consultations, came

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forward and expressed interest in creating the Waterloo region's first

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Indigenous led childcare center. From there, Renata and Donna and

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their team and their board began to bring this long

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standing dream to life. And the next slide provides some

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details about the program. But in the interest of giving

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our community partners some more time We'll just flash the

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slide, and they'll tell you a little bit more about

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their program Themselves.

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Next slide, please. Thank you. So this is what brings

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us here today. So we are seeking approval to enter

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into a lease agreement for 30 Christopher Drive With the

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Healing of Seven Generations. Indigenous led childcare will bring tremendous

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benefits to our community. And demonstrate the region's commitment to

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the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action. Specifically, I

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quote, The Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls on all levels

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of government to develop culturally early childhood education programs for

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Indigenous families. Over the years since I first met Donna,

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I've thought a lot about her dream and how children's

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services could actually support it. While the Canada wide program

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00:16:38,059 --> 00:16:42,179
has provided the opportunity with new funding and our vacant

242
00:16:42,179 --> 00:16:46,819
former children's center at Christopher on 30 Christopher Drive

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00:16:46,819 --> 00:16:50,007
has provided the quality Of space that an Indigenous program

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00:16:50,007 --> 00:16:54,687
deserves. And now it gives me great pleasure to invite

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00:16:54,687 --> 00:16:59,007
Donna Dubie And Renata Richards from the Healing of Seven

246
00:16:59,007 --> 00:17:02,967
Generations to address council and acknowledge the sacredness Of this

247
00:17:02,967 --> 00:17:06,087
work and the plan to open the first Indigenous led

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00:17:06,087 --> 00:17:14,970
childcare in Waterloo region. Sego.

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I'm honored to be here today. Excuse me for interrupting.

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00:17:21,789 --> 00:17:24,069
I'm wondering if you, There. Thank you. Thank

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00:17:24,069 --> 00:17:29,050
you. Some of you may know me. Some of you

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00:17:29,050 --> 00:17:34,562
have not had the opportunity to meet me yet. But

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I'm going to kind of tweak things up a little

254
00:17:37,482 --> 00:17:41,833
bit For us in the next few moments. What I

255
00:17:41,833 --> 00:17:44,073
would like to do is have a smudge with everybody.

256
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And the smudge is just to bring our minds together to

257
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have good thoughts about This daycare center for our children

258
00:17:54,350 --> 00:17:57,644
to move forward. I'm going to gift each person with

259
00:17:57,644 --> 00:18:01,244
a tobacco tie and a tobacco tie, When you're gifted

260
00:18:01,244 --> 00:18:03,204
with a tobacco tie, It's kind of like a contract

261
00:18:04,702 --> 00:18:09,422
Between those two individuals. But what this tobacco tie is

262
00:18:09,422 --> 00:18:14,646
to say, thank you for listening to us Today. So

263
00:18:14,646 --> 00:18:17,206
what I'm going to do is I'm going to ask

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00:18:17,206 --> 00:18:21,006
my knowledge keeper Kelly Curley to light up the smudge

265
00:18:21,006 --> 00:18:24,286
and we'll go around and smudge Everybody. And I'll be

266
00:18:24,286 --> 00:18:27,406
right behind him gifting you with the tobacco tie. And

267
00:18:27,406 --> 00:18:30,366
then I can come back and share my thoughts with

268
00:18:30,366 --> 00:18:33,369
you when we're done that. Thank You.

269
00:18:45,256 --> 00:18:49,107
I'll walk around the outside To smudge everyone. If you

270
00:18:49,107 --> 00:18:51,427
don't want to smudge, just hold your hand up. Then

271
00:18:51,427 --> 00:18:53,107
I'll walk past you. Thank you.

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00:25:59,340 --> 00:26:03,020
So Kelly Curley is Healing of Seven Generations Knowledge keeper.

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00:26:09,510 --> 00:26:14,068
A man with a wealth of knowledge, he could Write

274
00:26:14,068 --> 00:26:18,388
100 different encyclopedias. He's going to do our prayer. Thank

275
00:26:18,388 --> 00:26:26,908
you. Good day, everyone. These are what they call the

276
00:26:26,908 --> 00:26:30,908
words that come before all others. So whenever we have

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00:26:30,908 --> 00:26:34,574
a gathering we usually do a prayer. Nyawéñha for

278
00:26:34,574 --> 00:26:37,494
this day. Sgénoñ’, Sgénoñ’ we give

279
00:26:37,494 --> 00:26:41,134
thanks, we give thanks for the seven directions, the four

280
00:26:41,134 --> 00:26:45,614
elements, the four seasons, the four colors of man. Sgénoñ’

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00:26:45,614 --> 00:26:48,414
we give thanks. we give thanks for the four legged

282
00:26:48,414 --> 00:26:52,854
creatures, the two legged creatures, the multi-legged creatures, The legless

283
00:26:52,854 --> 00:26:57,318
creatures, The winged creatures, the feathered creatures, the fish,

284
00:26:57,318 --> 00:27:00,278
and the creatures of the waters. Sgénoñ’

285
00:27:00,278 --> 00:27:03,278
we give thanks we give thanks for the insects that

286
00:27:03,278 --> 00:27:06,678
crawl, fly or swim. Sgénoñ’ so we give thanks.

287
00:27:06,678 --> 00:27:09,718
We give thanks for the many medicines, the many trees

288
00:27:09,718 --> 00:27:14,518
and grasses that provide us Food, shelter, clothing and

289
00:27:14,407 --> 00:27:17,637
Medicine. Sgénoñ’ So we give thanks. We

290
00:27:17,637 --> 00:27:21,660
give thanks For the insects that crawl, fly or swim.

291
00:27:21,660 --> 00:27:25,140
Segwun des we give thanks. We give thanks for the women,

292
00:27:25,140 --> 00:27:29,460
The carriers of water, the givers of life, the nurturers.

293
00:27:29,460 --> 00:27:31,540
Sgénoñ’ so we give thanks we give thanks

294
00:27:31,540 --> 00:27:37,331
for the children who teach us love, Patience, tolerance, understanding

295
00:27:37,331 --> 00:27:40,571
and acceptance. Sgénoñ’ so we give thanks. We give

296
00:27:40,571 --> 00:27:44,411
thanks For the men, The Horascanagata, who are the protectors and

297
00:27:44,411 --> 00:27:48,211
our providers, the warriors and the peacekeepers. For all the

298
00:27:48,211 --> 00:27:50,891
things you've given us this day, we say Nyawéñha.

299
00:27:50,891 --> 00:27:54,051
Nyawéñha. Segwun des for all the blessings you've given us.

300
00:27:54,673 --> 00:27:58,193
We say in Nyawéñha, Nyawéñha, Sgénoñ’, Sgénoñ’, so at

301
00:27:58,193 --> 00:28:00,593
this time we pray for knowledge of your will for

302
00:28:00,593 --> 00:28:03,753
us and the power and ability to carry That out,

303
00:28:03,753 --> 00:28:13,629
Donato. Thank you, Kelly. I'm not going to take up

304
00:28:13,629 --> 00:28:15,629
much more of your time. What I do want to

305
00:28:15,629 --> 00:28:20,967
share with you is just a little story. Like Barb

306
00:28:20,967 --> 00:28:24,007
said, I have been dreaming about this for a long

307
00:28:24,007 --> 00:28:27,447
time, and some of you May have known Mary Parker

308
00:28:27,447 --> 00:28:30,567
when she was with the region, but her and I

309
00:28:30,567 --> 00:28:34,327
traveled around and discussed opening up a childcare center way

310
00:28:34,327 --> 00:28:38,393
back then when Mary Parker was here. I think for

311
00:28:38,393 --> 00:28:45,270
me, A revelation, I'm Mohawk Turtle Clan from the territory

312
00:28:45,270 --> 00:28:50,130
of the Grand River. I'm a mother, a wife, a

313
00:28:50,130 --> 00:28:55,381
sister, a grandmother and a community member. I'm Turtle Clan.

314
00:28:55,381 --> 00:28:59,294
And I'm Mohawk. And I think in doing the job

315
00:28:59,294 --> 00:29:02,174
that I've been doing, it's not a job for me.

316
00:29:03,930 --> 00:29:05,250
This is my dream. This is a dream job that

317
00:29:05,250 --> 00:29:12,679
I have. For 25 years In this community Has allowed

318
00:29:12,679 --> 00:29:16,962
me to meet many of you in this room. I

319
00:29:16,962 --> 00:29:21,931
think this year we did our very first Youth camp

320
00:29:23,043 --> 00:29:26,243
For our children. We had 40 children, and we did

321
00:29:26,243 --> 00:29:30,732
it over a period of four weeks. The camp was

322
00:29:30,732 --> 00:29:36,125
free for the children because It was totally a cultural

323
00:29:36,125 --> 00:29:41,220
camp. All the traditions were involved. There was no reason

324
00:29:41,220 --> 00:29:44,963
for me to charge the children To have to pay

325
00:29:44,963 --> 00:29:48,163
for their own culture. But I think on the very

326
00:29:48,163 --> 00:29:52,738
first day, it was quite the eye opener. When I

327
00:29:52,738 --> 00:29:58,418
was informed by my daughter, Renata, I am currently mentoring

328
00:29:58,418 --> 00:30:01,338
her to be the next executive for Healing of Seven

329
00:30:01,338 --> 00:30:06,280
Generations. She took on the role To put together the

330
00:30:06,280 --> 00:30:11,904
culture camp. And on the very first day she called,

331
00:30:11,904 --> 00:30:16,418
she was so upset, I can't do this. And it's

332
00:30:16,418 --> 00:30:21,374
like the kids were, You think about the kids, And

333
00:30:22,792 --> 00:30:25,992
I know right now I can truly say that our

334
00:30:25,992 --> 00:30:33,118
children are really that far removed from their culture. That

335
00:30:33,118 --> 00:30:37,293
these kids came to camp, They were thinking, oh, my

336
00:30:37,293 --> 00:30:41,653
God, Camp. We're going to do canoeing, Maybe three legged

337
00:30:41,653 --> 00:30:46,838
Races, volleyball. And here they were, sitting in a circle.

338
00:30:48,401 --> 00:30:52,062
They had to learn what patience was. They smelt the

339
00:30:52,062 --> 00:30:55,542
medicine, maybe for the first time. They didn't understand what

340
00:30:55,542 --> 00:31:00,517
they were doing there and It was like, well, Little

341
00:31:00,517 --> 00:31:04,037
Bobby Joe over here was not having any of that.

342
00:31:04,037 --> 00:31:07,077
And little Tommy Joe over here, he wasn't having any

343
00:31:07,077 --> 00:31:12,734
of that. And it was a lot to try To

344
00:31:12,734 --> 00:31:17,092
recompose Just for that just short time for the next

345
00:31:17,092 --> 00:31:20,322
day. The next day, some of the elders came in.

346
00:31:22,666 --> 00:31:26,429
We had the children sit down. We talked to them

347
00:31:26,429 --> 00:31:33,859
lovingly, peacefully, Knowledgeably. And they started to listen. And they

348
00:31:33,859 --> 00:31:39,152
were drawn To the drums, they were drawn to The

349
00:31:39,152 --> 00:31:42,971
medicines. We had now smudged again a second day, They

350
00:31:42,971 --> 00:31:47,097
were drawn to that. And over the course of the

351
00:31:47,097 --> 00:31:52,312
next four weeks, We did everything. We did drum birthings.

352
00:31:54,221 --> 00:31:56,741
We did Teachings on the medicine, teachings on the circle,

353
00:31:59,062 --> 00:32:04,413
The medicine wheel. We sang some songs, did language. It

354
00:32:04,413 --> 00:32:09,831
was just specifically culture For these kids. And at the

355
00:32:09,831 --> 00:32:15,120
end, They loved it. The end was their drum birthing,

356
00:32:15,120 --> 00:32:16,800
and they were there and they were there With their

357
00:32:16,800 --> 00:32:20,680
families and they were singing songs and they were drumming

358
00:32:20,680 --> 00:32:24,855
on their drums, and it was such an amazing Thing

359
00:32:24,855 --> 00:32:28,584
to see these children, That it just warmed your heart.

360
00:32:30,371 --> 00:32:37,407
So I know right now After that camp, I believe

361
00:32:37,407 --> 00:32:42,609
that It's my responsibility and the Community's to work with

362
00:32:42,609 --> 00:32:46,878
What I think Is the next 7th generation of children.

363
00:32:48,307 --> 00:32:51,787
Hence the name Healing of the Seven Generations. Healing in

364
00:32:51,787 --> 00:32:55,387
seven generations, The dream of Healing of Seven Generations would

365
00:32:55,387 --> 00:32:59,596
be That in seven generations there would be no need

366
00:32:59,596 --> 00:33:03,156
for healing of seven generations. But at some point we

367
00:33:03,156 --> 00:33:07,534
got to start somewhere. So just the revelation of the

368
00:33:07,534 --> 00:33:14,180
camp Itself Allowed me to truly believe that we are

369
00:33:14,180 --> 00:33:18,146
working with our 7th generation of children. So much was

370
00:33:18,146 --> 00:33:22,142
taken. My father was in the residential school for nine

371
00:33:22,142 --> 00:33:26,041
years of his life. Kept my brothers and I away

372
00:33:26,041 --> 00:33:31,331
from culture. But he brought us up in that residential

373
00:33:31,331 --> 00:33:37,781
school mentality, Even though we didn't go there. So I

374
00:33:37,781 --> 00:33:44,127
know for myself that We can bring culture back, we

375
00:33:44,127 --> 00:33:47,327
can bring our language back, we can bring our ceremonies

376
00:33:47,327 --> 00:33:52,889
back. And when you think about, and Don't get me wrong,

377
00:33:55,607 --> 00:33:58,887
Truth and reconciliation is out there, but it almost seems

378
00:33:58,887 --> 00:34:06,079
like An end game, Like a bullseye. I don't want

379
00:34:06,079 --> 00:34:11,349
it to be a bullseye. Let's have conversation about how

380
00:34:11,349 --> 00:34:16,916
we can move together As community, as neighbours, as people

381
00:34:16,916 --> 00:34:20,276
within the same community who have the same goals for

382
00:34:20,276 --> 00:34:23,236
the best Things in life for our children and our

383
00:34:23,236 --> 00:34:26,716
future. That's what we have for ours to bring our

384
00:34:26,716 --> 00:34:31,723
culture back and take this time right now. It's an

385
00:34:31,723 --> 00:34:36,361
honor If we get 30 Christopher, to be able to

386
00:34:36,361 --> 00:34:39,641
start this. So I want to say thank you, To

387
00:34:39,641 --> 00:34:43,201
all of you, thank you for your time today, and

388
00:34:43,201 --> 00:34:45,841
thank you for any and all of consideration that you

389
00:34:45,841 --> 00:34:49,521
have. So I'm going to introduce my daughter, Renata. Thank

390
00:34:49,521 --> 00:34:53,419
you. Thank you. This is my first time ever in

391
00:34:53,419 --> 00:35:00,654
front of council. Surprisingly, I'm not really nervous, And I

392
00:35:00,654 --> 00:35:04,374
don't really have a script, but I am just here

393
00:35:04,374 --> 00:35:08,974
to say thank you in considering us to take Christopher

394
00:35:08,974 --> 00:35:14,873
and Do our community honor with that daycare. That building

395
00:35:14,873 --> 00:35:20,595
is beautiful. When we toured it, The outside space, I

396
00:35:20,595 --> 00:35:24,478
can just picture it being all natural, Being on the

397
00:35:24,478 --> 00:35:28,903
land, bringing all that back To what was taken from

398
00:35:28,903 --> 00:35:34,959
our children. Like Donna had said, My grandfather spent nine

399
00:35:34,959 --> 00:35:37,359
years in the residential schools, and we didn't grow up

400
00:35:37,359 --> 00:35:40,439
in culture. And when I held that camp last in

401
00:35:40,439 --> 00:35:44,239
the summer, my son went to that camp and we

402
00:35:44,239 --> 00:35:47,359
never talked about culture growing up in our household either.

403
00:35:48,866 --> 00:35:52,186
And he has taken all the stuff that he's learned

404
00:35:52,186 --> 00:35:54,546
at the camp, There's still a lot of learning to

405
00:35:54,546 --> 00:35:57,026
learn, And he reminds me now, oh, we got to

406
00:35:57,026 --> 00:35:59,346
feed our drum, It's the full moon ceremony or we

407
00:35:59,346 --> 00:36:01,346
got to do this, we got to do That. So

408
00:36:01,346 --> 00:36:05,346
if we can have that, starting from little now, we

409
00:36:05,346 --> 00:36:07,986
don't have to worry About our children losing their culture

410
00:36:07,986 --> 00:36:10,839
because it's going to start From infants coming in and

411
00:36:10,839 --> 00:36:13,879
smudging every day and having circle and to be able

412
00:36:13,879 --> 00:36:16,119
to help regulate the children by saying if they would

413
00:36:16,119 --> 00:36:18,839
like to smudge or take a time to be by

414
00:36:18,839 --> 00:36:23,119
themselves and stuff like that. And 30 Christopher is a

415
00:36:23,119 --> 00:36:28,103
beautiful building, and I think that We would really do

416
00:36:28,103 --> 00:36:32,183
it justice by opening up the region's first Indigenous childcare

417
00:36:32,183 --> 00:36:36,283
center and also it's going to be Part family center

418
00:36:36,283 --> 00:36:40,003
with F&CS. I want to have a family visitation room

419
00:36:40,003 --> 00:36:43,735
with that as well. So it's got all kinds of

420
00:36:43,735 --> 00:36:48,192
different things Involved in this whole blanket effect on our

421
00:36:48,192 --> 00:36:51,718
community, to bring them together. And to bring the culture

422
00:36:51,718 --> 00:36:54,918
back to our community and our children that deserve it,

423
00:36:54,918 --> 00:36:57,438
That was taken From the residential schools, so thank you

424
00:36:57,438 --> 00:37:05,285
very much. Thank you so. We have a number of

425
00:37:05,285 --> 00:37:08,285
questions here from Councillors, and I'm not sure if, so

426
00:37:08,285 --> 00:37:11,725
I'll Start with Councillor James, who it's directed to. Councillor

427
00:37:11,725 --> 00:37:15,445
James. thank you, Through you chair Harris, And thank you

428
00:37:16,598 --> 00:37:22,056
For coming in And speaking with us today. My questions

429
00:37:22,056 --> 00:37:25,506
may be for you or staff, But I also want

430
00:37:25,506 --> 00:37:29,106
to say thank you for explaining the culturally responsive piece

431
00:37:29,106 --> 00:37:35,890
and how important that is. I often think that For

432
00:37:35,890 --> 00:37:39,530
a lot of us, we don't recognize how important culture

433
00:37:39,530 --> 00:37:42,876
is and How the work that needs to be done

434
00:37:42,876 --> 00:37:45,836
to ensure that there is no longer erasure and that

435
00:37:45,836 --> 00:37:49,396
young generations coming up know their history, know their culture.

436
00:37:50,635 --> 00:37:53,915
So one of the questions I had was around

437
00:37:53,915 --> 00:37:57,315
that culturally responsive piece in the Indigenous care and maybe

438
00:37:57,315 --> 00:38:01,035
providing a little bit of context to the difference between

439
00:38:02,555 --> 00:38:07,515
Indigenous childcare and Our contemporary westernized childcare. Just some of

440
00:38:07,515 --> 00:38:15,734
the nuance that exists there. I guess, The childcare whole

441
00:38:15,734 --> 00:38:18,654
thing is really new to me, but the way I

442
00:38:18,654 --> 00:38:25,753
can think about Mainstream compared to Indigenous is, I find

443
00:38:25,753 --> 00:38:30,793
that Indigenity is more of a family unit, Where

444
00:38:30,793 --> 00:38:33,793
it's like, instead of it being structured, where you've got

445
00:38:33,793 --> 00:38:37,713
a teacher and you've got a director and a supervisor. Like I'm hoping, I want to have our centre

446
00:38:39,707 --> 00:38:43,307
be aunties and uncles where everybody can come in there

447
00:38:43,307 --> 00:38:45,947
and feel comfortable, and it's almost like it's a big

448
00:38:45,947 --> 00:38:48,427
family, instead of it having to be so structured where

449
00:38:48,427 --> 00:38:56,035
it's like you have Miss Jane And stuff like that.

450
00:38:56,035 --> 00:38:59,619
So it's more of, like, It's like A very family

451
00:38:59,619 --> 00:39:02,939
structure, even though we still have to follow ministry guidelines

452
00:39:02,939 --> 00:39:07,675
for certain things like that. And I think, too, we're

453
00:39:07,675 --> 00:39:11,533
going to have knowledge keepers in there. The language is

454
00:39:11,533 --> 00:39:15,013
going to be spoken. And because we live in a

455
00:39:15,013 --> 00:39:19,768
variety With various different languages. You can see by the

456
00:39:19,768 --> 00:39:23,688
languages just out in your front foyer, all the native

457
00:39:23,688 --> 00:39:26,568
languages, We're going to try and have as much diversity

458
00:39:26,568 --> 00:39:29,749
in there when it comes to language as possible. The

459
00:39:29,749 --> 00:39:32,389
medicine is going to be burning every day, so that

460
00:39:32,389 --> 00:39:38,778
becomes A familiar Scent, A familiar time with them, understanding

461
00:39:38,778 --> 00:39:41,458
when they smell the medicine. there will be drumming in

462
00:39:41,458 --> 00:39:44,058
there and then the singing of the songs in various

463
00:39:44,058 --> 00:39:49,014
different languages again. And the food. We're going to have

464
00:39:49,014 --> 00:39:51,774
somebody that's going to come in that will cook a

465
00:39:51,774 --> 00:39:58,199
balance Of, all nutritional food, But Indigenous food as well,

466
00:39:58,199 --> 00:40:02,410
so They're introduced to Indigenous food as they go along,

467
00:40:02,410 --> 00:40:05,650
so that when they come to a community feast, and

468
00:40:05,650 --> 00:40:08,850
they might see some wild salmon there, that they would

469
00:40:08,850 --> 00:40:13,118
know what it was or wild rice, Wild rice and

470
00:40:13,118 --> 00:40:20,071
blueberries. It's so awesome. So bringing all these things Culturally

471
00:40:21,498 --> 00:40:27,721
And We are also Talking to Cambridge Fire, Because what

472
00:40:27,721 --> 00:40:31,560
else is important for us is to have A fire

473
00:40:31,560 --> 00:40:36,259
pit outside. Because there's various different ceremonies throughout the year.

474
00:40:37,878 --> 00:40:42,798
We have our condolence ceremonies That would need a sacred

475
00:40:42,798 --> 00:40:50,782
fire. So all these components Would be involved With the

476
00:40:50,782 --> 00:40:56,175
childcare center. That we are calling Ga'nigqhi:yo, which means carry

477
00:40:56,175 --> 00:40:59,215
the peace. Excellent. And I just have one Other follow

478
00:40:59,215 --> 00:41:03,203
up chair. I'm very mindful of what you said about

479
00:41:03,203 --> 00:41:06,203
the truth and reconciliation and everyone gets stuck on those

480
00:41:06,203 --> 00:41:08,723
94 calls to action, and then it becomes a checkmark

481
00:41:08,723 --> 00:41:10,843
to see when we can get them all done and

482
00:41:10,843 --> 00:41:13,523
it takes away from the actual intention that it's continuous

483
00:41:13,523 --> 00:41:17,523
And ongoing. But I do have a question just related

484
00:41:17,523 --> 00:41:21,497
to the three that Were identified. I think it's number

485
00:41:21,497 --> 00:41:26,670
three, five and twelve and What that represents In terms

486
00:41:26,670 --> 00:41:30,310
of the calls to action, just to connect it, because

487
00:41:30,310 --> 00:41:32,110
we say we're doing this work, but sometimes we do

488
00:41:32,110 --> 00:41:35,030
need to say, okay, how is this connecting to those

489
00:41:35,030 --> 00:41:40,343
actions? I think when you look at Three, five, and

490
00:41:40,343 --> 00:41:46,174
twelve, Whatever community that you're working with, It's about building

491
00:41:46,174 --> 00:41:52,376
relationships. It's about having conversation. And it's about moving forward

492
00:41:52,376 --> 00:41:58,789
together. Whatever community is going to have a different relationship

493
00:42:00,193 --> 00:42:04,121
Within that specific community. And I found that in the

494
00:42:04,121 --> 00:42:11,153
region of Waterloo, I have a good rapport With some

495
00:42:11,153 --> 00:42:16,002
of the upper echelon. And I have had no problems.

496
00:42:17,896 --> 00:42:21,965
If I have an idea or have a concern Or

497
00:42:23,400 --> 00:42:26,480
To just reach out and have a conversation. So I

498
00:42:26,480 --> 00:42:34,172
think the whole concept is about continuing The conversations, Continuing

499
00:42:34,172 --> 00:42:39,881
the ideas, And continue to move forward. I hope that

500
00:42:39,881 --> 00:42:45,661
answered your question. Yes, perfectly. Thank you. You're welcome. Paula,

501
00:42:45,661 --> 00:42:47,581
I'm not sure, Did you want to respond to that

502
00:42:47,581 --> 00:42:51,386
as well? Through the chair, since I dressed up for

503
00:42:51,386 --> 00:42:58,289
you all today, The biggest thing towards reconciliation is that

504
00:42:58,289 --> 00:43:03,089
political will, and obviously it rests here in Waterloo region,

505
00:43:03,089 --> 00:43:07,649
as well as breaking down those systemic barriers. And I've

506
00:43:07,649 --> 00:43:11,929
never felt so much happy energy as I do today,

507
00:43:11,929 --> 00:43:16,868
and it's all about cultural safety And knowing that our

508
00:43:16,868 --> 00:43:21,631
children Will be better cared for for the next generation.

509
00:43:21,631 --> 00:43:26,585
So again now I go to the region. There are

510
00:43:26,585 --> 00:43:29,905
five speakers. And so I'm wondering if we could, with

511
00:43:29,905 --> 00:43:36,692
committee, agree that The questions right now would be directed

512
00:43:36,692 --> 00:43:40,972
towards our guests, and then if there's any questions For

513
00:43:40,972 --> 00:43:43,372
staff, We can do that at the end, if that's

514
00:43:43,372 --> 00:43:47,265
okay. You're next Councillor Huinink. And this is for our guests?

515
00:43:48,669 --> 00:43:52,069
Through the Chair, Yes, I'm wholeheartedly prepared to move the motion. I'm

516
00:43:52,069 --> 00:43:54,749
really excited About that. Thank you, Donna and Renata and

517
00:43:54,749 --> 00:43:58,109
Kelly, for coming today. I've never received tobacco before, so

518
00:43:58,109 --> 00:44:02,846
I'm pretty excited about that. When I think of

519
00:44:02,846 --> 00:44:08,885
this center, I'm imagining an Indigenous hub for little people, which

520
00:44:08,885 --> 00:44:13,103
is such a beautiful thing, and I'm really excited For

521
00:44:13,103 --> 00:44:16,183
the next generation to know that they have a valued

522
00:44:16,183 --> 00:44:18,663
place in our community and not just one place, but

523
00:44:18,663 --> 00:44:23,808
all places. There has been kind of An ask since

524
00:44:23,808 --> 00:44:29,128
we came into office for multigenerational Indigenous hub as well.

525
00:44:29,128 --> 00:44:32,648
And I'm not suggesting that this would be instead of

526
00:44:32,648 --> 00:44:37,448
that or I'm talking additionally, but I'm wondering,

527
00:44:37,448 --> 00:44:39,968
Renata, if you can speak More to, it sounds like

528
00:44:41,671 --> 00:44:44,846
Your vision is wider than a hub for little people, like

529
00:44:44,846 --> 00:44:47,886
you talked about having a family services room as well,

530
00:44:47,886 --> 00:44:50,326
which I think is great. I don't know if you

531
00:44:50,326 --> 00:44:55,394
have other multi generational initiatives in mind. It would be

532
00:44:55,394 --> 00:44:56,954
good to know that and to share that with the

533
00:44:56,954 --> 00:45:01,618
wider community as well. We're going to start small first

534
00:45:01,618 --> 00:45:04,338
and try to see how that goes because right now,

535
00:45:07,396 --> 00:45:13,885
With being partners with, community partners with FNCS, healing, there's

536
00:45:13,885 --> 00:45:18,495
no room. So it just gives families a better place

537
00:45:18,495 --> 00:45:21,375
to come and visit with their children more than the

538
00:45:21,375 --> 00:45:24,335
2 hours or however many hours they get a day.

539
00:45:24,335 --> 00:45:28,677
So I would love to see a bigger broader Hub

540
00:45:30,880 --> 00:45:36,130
Of everything. eventually Once The age out of the daycare,

541
00:45:36,130 --> 00:45:38,730
they have to turn around and go into mainstream school,

542
00:45:38,730 --> 00:45:41,917
so Then They're losing all of everything that, well Hopefully

543
00:45:41,917 --> 00:45:45,077
not losing, but they can't carry On the culture and

544
00:45:45,077 --> 00:45:47,037
stuff that they've learned, because right now we don't have

545
00:45:47,037 --> 00:45:51,920
an Indigenous school, so that's another thing She's trying to

546
00:45:51,920 --> 00:45:56,793
work on, too. It's full circle because she started the

547
00:45:56,793 --> 00:45:59,153
seed. It didn't get planted at the beginning, and I'm

548
00:45:59,153 --> 00:46:02,313
starting to plant the seed now and have great deep

549
00:46:02,313 --> 00:46:06,433
roots. once a wise, beautiful elder told me when I

550
00:46:06,433 --> 00:46:09,753
was telling her about all the beautiful hard work, but

551
00:46:09,753 --> 00:46:14,448
the heart and the dedication with my team and All

552
00:46:14,448 --> 00:46:16,968
that with this daycare thing. She said, Renata, you got

553
00:46:16,968 --> 00:46:19,048
to look at it as You're planting deep roots because

554
00:46:19,048 --> 00:46:21,928
you want this to be successful, because this is our

555
00:46:21,928 --> 00:46:24,648
children Of the future, and I'm like, oh, my God,

556
00:46:24,648 --> 00:46:27,648
Yeah, that makes total sense. So I am planting the

557
00:46:27,648 --> 00:46:31,968
next seed for my mom in honor of healing and

558
00:46:31,968 --> 00:46:34,806
then for our children to move forward in the Future,

559
00:46:34,806 --> 00:46:40,235
and hopefully we can expand And build. I appreciate your

560
00:46:40,235 --> 00:46:43,475
wisdom To start small, literally and figuratively, I think that

561
00:46:43,475 --> 00:46:47,810
I should follow that As well, but I look at

562
00:46:47,810 --> 00:46:51,010
your wider vision, and I really love that. So again, Chair,

563
00:46:52,914 --> 00:47:01,453
I'm willing to move the motion. I'll second it Chair. Next

564
00:47:01,453 --> 00:47:08,008
is Councillor Wolf. Why are people waving hands at me?

565
00:47:10,236 --> 00:47:14,516
Or you're seconding Chantal. Okay. Sorry. Thank you. Okay. Councillor

566
00:47:14,516 --> 00:47:19,156
Wolf. Okay. Through you chair, As the Councillor representing Cambridge,

567
00:47:19,156 --> 00:47:24,281
I'm very proud and happy that you're Coming To Cambridge.

568
00:47:25,635 --> 00:47:28,715
And glad to see that 30 Christopher Avenue will be

569
00:47:28,715 --> 00:47:33,630
once again used for childcare. It's wonderful that you're going

570
00:47:33,630 --> 00:47:39,388
to be providing The cultural responsive childcare. Very much

571
00:47:39,388 --> 00:47:43,866
needed. And my question Is simply, how many children do

572
00:47:43,866 --> 00:47:47,839
you hope to serve at this location? 65 is what

573
00:47:47,839 --> 00:47:50,559
we're going to be licensed, We're asking for licensing for.

574
00:47:52,300 --> 00:47:58,669
Okay. Thank you. Chair Redman. Thank you Chair Erb. Donna I

575
00:47:58,669 --> 00:48:01,349
totally remember Mary Parker, and what I remember about Mary

576
00:48:01,349 --> 00:48:04,300
was that she always smelled like vanilla. Every time I

577
00:48:04,300 --> 00:48:05,940
was with her, I thought, why do I want cookies?

578
00:48:07,280 --> 00:48:11,085
But I also can't Let this opportunity pass without commending

579
00:48:11,085 --> 00:48:14,605
a previous council. And I know I have some colleagues

580
00:48:14,605 --> 00:48:18,734
That are still on this current Council who made The

581
00:48:18,734 --> 00:48:22,894
really tough decision to stop delivering directly delivering childcare, and

582
00:48:22,894 --> 00:48:26,534
we closed down five direct centers. And that was done

583
00:48:26,534 --> 00:48:30,934
with the understanding that we would reinvest that money into

584
00:48:30,934 --> 00:48:36,060
a variety Of supports for the broader community. And this

585
00:48:36,060 --> 00:48:39,180
is evidence of one of those investments, so I'm so

586
00:48:39,180 --> 00:48:44,757
thrilled to see you Here. My question Is, Have you

587
00:48:44,757 --> 00:48:47,717
thought about and Renata It must be really hard trying

588
00:48:47,717 --> 00:48:49,757
to follow your mum, Because she's a hard act to

589
00:48:49,757 --> 00:48:53,986
follow. Have you thought about liaising with other childcare centers?

590
00:48:53,986 --> 00:48:56,586
And I think of Councillor Shantz And I that were

591
00:48:56,586 --> 00:49:00,942
at an Elmira opening of a childcare center About six

592
00:49:00,942 --> 00:49:05,052
weeks or a few months ago. A while ago anyway,

593
00:49:05,052 --> 00:49:08,012
and they had the best Thanksgiving and what they were

594
00:49:08,012 --> 00:49:14,451
talking about Was learning some of the things that Councillor

595
00:49:14,451 --> 00:49:18,011
James was talking about. These kids may be settlers or

596
00:49:18,011 --> 00:49:21,811
Children of settlers, but they need to understand the Indigenous

597
00:49:21,811 --> 00:49:26,821
way forward. And I know Barb Cardow Has her Finger

598
00:49:26,821 --> 00:49:30,221
on the pulse of all things childcare, certainly provincially as

599
00:49:30,221 --> 00:49:33,021
well as nationally. And I know there are other Indigenous

600
00:49:33,021 --> 00:49:36,061
childcare centers, but I would really encourage you as you

601
00:49:36,061 --> 00:49:39,141
start small And grow, Think about how you can bring

602
00:49:39,141 --> 00:49:42,941
along other childcare centers that may not be focused specifically

603
00:49:42,941 --> 00:49:48,886
on Indigenous children because There is A great variety of

604
00:49:48,886 --> 00:49:52,526
people that are willing and happy to take your lead

605
00:49:52,526 --> 00:49:57,440
and continue this education In other child care centers. So

606
00:49:57,440 --> 00:50:01,120
congratulations, and this is a day to celebrate. Thank you.

607
00:50:02,596 --> 00:50:11,829
Councillor Shantz. Thank you. Thank you for being here. You

608
00:50:11,829 --> 00:50:16,624
introduced yourself, and I want to introduce myself. I am

609
00:50:16,624 --> 00:50:21,344
7th generation of the settlers, the Mennonite settlers who first

610
00:50:21,344 --> 00:50:29,069
came to Kitchener Of the Eby family. So We've traveled

611
00:50:29,069 --> 00:50:34,306
a long road In those seven generations. And here we are.

612
00:50:35,942 --> 00:50:39,422
And neither you nor I will be here seven generations

613
00:50:39,422 --> 00:50:47,896
from now, but I share your dream.

614
00:50:50,929 --> 00:50:54,729
And I hope that in seven generations, we no longer

615
00:50:54,729 --> 00:50:58,009
have to have these discussions at this or any other

616
00:50:58,009 --> 00:51:07,783
table. Thank you. Councillor

617
00:51:08,789 --> 00:51:12,360
Salonen. Thanks, Councillor Shantz, for making me have to follow

618
00:51:12,360 --> 00:51:17,342
up from that. I had a technical question. But thank

619
00:51:17,342 --> 00:51:20,062
you very much for being here today and for all

620
00:51:20,062 --> 00:51:22,622
of your efforts behind the scenes With our staff to

621
00:51:22,622 --> 00:51:25,982
making this a reality. I was just wondering, as I

622
00:51:25,982 --> 00:51:28,262
represent the township of Wilmot, I know that we have

623
00:51:28,262 --> 00:51:32,862
many residents who are of Indigenous heritage and would probably

624
00:51:32,862 --> 00:51:35,582
be very interested in the potential to have their kids

625
00:51:35,582 --> 00:51:38,014
enrolled in one of Your spots. How would they go

626
00:51:38,014 --> 00:51:40,054
about doing that? Or am I jumping the gun here?

627
00:51:41,814 --> 00:51:46,334
So we're pairing with the One List with the regional

628
00:51:46,334 --> 00:51:49,534
One List. So we're asking anybody who is interested,

629
00:51:49,534 --> 00:51:51,774
Once we get everything up and running, we're hoping to

630
00:51:51,774 --> 00:51:57,236
have A separate, Can we talk about that? Okay. Sorry.

631
00:51:57,236 --> 00:51:59,756
We're hoping to have a separate Indigenous tab on the

632
00:51:59,756 --> 00:52:01,876
One List where you Can click. And because we will

633
00:52:01,876 --> 00:52:05,402
be The first region official Indigenous daycare We will be

634
00:52:05,402 --> 00:52:08,042
the only one there, so if you click on the

635
00:52:08,042 --> 00:52:11,282
Indigenous led childcare, It'll drop down, and hopefully, if they

636
00:52:11,282 --> 00:52:16,231
can get it, It'll be us apply. And then We

637
00:52:16,231 --> 00:52:17,951
will go from there. Yeah So the One List is

638
00:52:17,951 --> 00:52:22,652
how we're accepting. Fantastic. Thank you very much. I don't

639
00:52:22,652 --> 00:52:30,219
see any other questions. Thank you for your presentation. For

640
00:52:30,219 --> 00:52:33,459
committee, We have a motion here, and it was moved

641
00:52:33,459 --> 00:52:39,285
by Councillor Huinink and seconded By Councillor McCabe. Is there

642
00:52:39,285 --> 00:52:46,937
any other discussion or comments? Chair Redman. Excuse me. I

643
00:52:46,937 --> 00:52:48,857
don't know if this is, I thought this was the

644
00:52:48,857 --> 00:52:51,097
staff questions, so I was Just going to ask staff,

645
00:52:51,097 --> 00:52:54,017
but what will the catchment area be? Will this be

646
00:52:54,017 --> 00:52:57,057
just Indigenous children In Cambridge or will this be region

647
00:52:57,057 --> 00:52:59,337
wide? And I don't know if you've Landed on that

648
00:52:59,337 --> 00:53:03,137
Or if that's something that Barb can answer. Okay,

649
00:53:03,137 --> 00:53:07,012
it's Going to be region wide. Perfect. Thank you. No

650
00:53:07,012 --> 00:53:15,809
problem. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I have no questions. I

651
00:53:15,809 --> 00:53:18,409
didn't speak up earlier, but as the mayor of Cambridge,

652
00:53:18,409 --> 00:53:21,769
I've got to say that I am absolutely thrilled that

653
00:53:21,769 --> 00:53:25,478
this is coming Into my community and that it's going

654
00:53:25,478 --> 00:53:31,221
to provide for 65 spaces For the Indigenous children and

655
00:53:32,810 --> 00:53:34,330
It's been, I can't even say it's been a long

656
00:53:34,330 --> 00:53:38,050
time coming Because it was never thought of before. So

657
00:53:38,050 --> 00:53:40,290
I'm thrilled that our community is going to be the

658
00:53:40,290 --> 00:53:42,610
host city for this, and I hope that there's more

659
00:53:42,610 --> 00:53:50,252
coming in the future. Us too. So we have a

660
00:53:50,252 --> 00:53:52,612
motion on the floor. I would ask you to use

661
00:53:52,612 --> 00:53:55,092
your eScribe Buttons to indicate to your support.

662
00:54:08,097 --> 00:54:17,292
And that is carried unanimously. Thank you. Thank you.

663
00:54:18,644 --> 00:54:23,464
And all Travel safe and enjoy the sunshine today. I

664
00:54:23,464 --> 00:54:26,824
think a history lesson from today, maybe particularly for you,

665
00:54:26,824 --> 00:54:30,464
Donna, is that dreams do come true. Maybe takes a

666
00:54:30,464 --> 00:54:35,418
little bit longer than you'd like it to be. And

667
00:54:35,418 --> 00:54:38,764
you've been thanking us, I think we need to thank

668
00:54:38,764 --> 00:54:43,070
you. This feels like it's just a significant part of

669
00:54:43,070 --> 00:54:46,870
the journey towards reconciliation that we're all on it

670
00:54:46,870 --> 00:54:50,550
together. So thank you for being part of it. Thanks

671
00:54:50,550 --> 00:54:54,830
to staff, to Barb, to Paula, for everybody That's made this happen.

672
00:54:56,313 --> 00:54:59,833
And good luck. And keep dreaming. Yeah. Thank you. Thank

673
00:54:59,833 --> 00:55:01,913
you. And I do want to thank all of our

674
00:55:01,913 --> 00:55:05,073
staff who help pitch in in one way or another.

675
00:55:06,851 --> 00:55:15,539
And Paula and Stephanie And Amber and Barb. Oh yeah, Barb.

676
00:55:19,255 --> 00:55:23,580
They've been so awesome. I just want to thank everybody.

677
00:55:23,580 --> 00:55:28,292
So thank you so much. Welcome. Thank you. Thank

678
00:55:28,292 --> 00:55:32,708
you. So we are going to take a recess for

679
00:55:32,708 --> 00:55:40,953
lunch. What, 30 minutes? 25. Don't argue with Julie.

680
01:30:09,376 --> 01:30:12,096
We do have quorum, so we're going, in the

681
01:30:12,096 --> 01:30:14,896
interest of time, we're Going to reconvene this meeting and

682
01:30:14,896 --> 01:30:20,376
begin with item 6.1.2, A Canada wide early learning and

683
01:30:20,376 --> 01:30:29,074
childcare Update and call on Mr. Sweeney to introduce this

684
01:30:29,074 --> 01:30:33,382
report. Thank you Chair Erb. I'm actually going to quickly

685
01:30:33,382 --> 01:30:36,222
pass it over to my colleague, Tyla, Who will walk

686
01:30:36,222 --> 01:30:41,760
you through a quick presentation And share Some great things

687
01:30:41,760 --> 01:30:43,840
that the team has been doing to do our best

688
01:30:43,840 --> 01:30:46,560
to meet the needs of families and children across this

689
01:30:46,560 --> 01:30:51,357
community. Tyla, it's all yours. Can you hear me now?

690
01:30:51,357 --> 01:30:54,237
There we go. Okay, so Good afternoon. My name is

691
01:30:54,237 --> 01:30:57,077
Tyler Fullerton. I am a manager in children services, and

692
01:30:57,077 --> 01:31:00,197
I'm here today to provide an update on the new

693
01:31:00,197 --> 01:31:03,677
licensed childcare spaces as part of the Canada wide Early

694
01:31:03,677 --> 01:31:06,157
Learning and childcare plan, Which we call CWELCC and is

695
01:31:06,157 --> 01:31:11,079
otherwise known as $10 a day childcare. Next slide, please.

696
01:31:12,659 --> 01:31:15,779
Okay, so as part of CWELCC, the region was allocated

697
01:31:15,779 --> 01:31:20,539
3,725 new licensed childcare Spaces to be created by 2026,

698
01:31:20,539 --> 01:31:23,899
and we are happy to report that we are on

699
01:31:23,899 --> 01:31:28,076
track To meet that target. To date, over 2,200 new

700
01:31:28,076 --> 01:31:31,676
spaces have been created in Waterloo Region for children ages

701
01:31:31,676 --> 01:31:35,316
zero to five and another 1,400 spaces will be created

702
01:31:35,316 --> 01:31:40,637
before the end of 2026. New CWELCC spaces are located

703
01:31:40,637 --> 01:31:44,077
in one of the 13 priority areas for childcare growth

704
01:31:44,077 --> 01:31:47,771
That were selected because They have low access to licensed

705
01:31:47,771 --> 01:31:51,051
childcare and a high proportion of families living with low

706
01:31:51,051 --> 01:31:55,127
income. The spaces also prioritize access for families who need

707
01:31:55,127 --> 01:31:58,167
affordable childcare the most and who are underserved in the

708
01:31:58,167 --> 01:32:03,569
licensed childcare system. Next slide. So we wanted to take

709
01:32:03,569 --> 01:32:06,649
the opportunity today to highlight some of the new childcare

710
01:32:06,649 --> 01:32:09,329
programs in spaces that have opened in our community and

711
01:32:09,329 --> 01:32:12,329
acknowledge the hard work and commitment of our local childcare

712
01:32:12,329 --> 01:32:16,289
Operators to growing our childcare system. And so the first

713
01:32:16,289 --> 01:32:19,169
program we wanted to highlight was or is Creative Beginnings

714
01:32:19,169 --> 01:32:23,049
Early Learning and Childcare who opened their newest location

715
01:32:23,049 --> 01:32:26,009
in Elmira in October 2024 with chair Redman and mayor

716
01:32:26,009 --> 01:32:30,766
Shantz in attendance. This is a new 72 space nonprofit

717
01:32:30,766 --> 01:32:34,326
center serving infants, toddlers and preschoolers, and it is their

718
01:32:34,326 --> 01:32:39,293
first standalone site. It's located on land owned by the

719
01:32:39,293 --> 01:32:41,973
township of Woolwich in a building that was going to

720
01:32:41,973 --> 01:32:46,013
be torn down, but was repurposed for childcare with support

721
01:32:46,013 --> 01:32:49,813
of the township. This project was supported with CWELCC startup

722
01:32:49,813 --> 01:32:53,213
funding and other provincial and federal funding to support the

723
01:32:53,213 --> 01:32:56,453
cost of renovation, First time equipping and supplies and building

724
01:32:57,452 --> 01:33:03,000
An expansive, natural playground. Next slide, please. The next project

725
01:33:03,000 --> 01:33:06,440
is Brason Montessori Academy, which is a new 63 space

726
01:33:06,440 --> 01:33:09,720
center, a for profit center located in Waterloo at Park

727
01:33:09,720 --> 01:33:13,640
Minister United Church. It's serving toddlers and preschoolers and is

728
01:33:13,640 --> 01:33:16,960
the second child care location for a female entrepreneur from

729
01:33:16,960 --> 01:33:20,280
Waterloo Region. The new location is close to a

730
01:33:21,302 --> 01:33:25,592
Priority area. It's accessible by public transit and other arterial

731
01:33:25,592 --> 01:33:28,992
roads, which make it an ideal location for families. This

732
01:33:28,992 --> 01:33:32,312
project was also supported with CWELCC startup funding and like

733
01:33:32,312 --> 01:33:35,832
all CWELCC expansions, The location is participating in the childcare

734
01:33:35,832 --> 01:33:39,792
subsidy access pilot, which holds at least 30% of spaces

735
01:33:39,792 --> 01:33:45,402
for children living with low income. Next slide, please. Licensed

736
01:33:45,402 --> 01:33:48,442
home childcare has also experienced significant growth since the start

737
01:33:48,442 --> 01:33:52,802
of CWELCC. 576 new licensed home childcare spaces have been

738
01:33:52,802 --> 01:33:56,842
created, mostly serving children ages zero to four years, and

739
01:33:56,842 --> 01:33:59,722
growth of these spaces is important because home childcare serves

740
01:33:59,722 --> 01:34:06,134
families that need nontraditional hours, including overnight care. also

741
01:34:06,134 --> 01:34:09,494
includes the language and mentorship program, or LAMP, which allows

742
01:34:09,494 --> 01:34:13,494
caregivers who have lower levels of English to provide quality

743
01:34:13,494 --> 01:34:17,334
care in their home to children from their language community

744
01:34:17,334 --> 01:34:20,294
and LAMP is also partially funded by the region's equity

745
01:34:20,294 --> 01:34:27,195
investment fund. Next slide, please. CWELCC growth has also included

746
01:34:27,195 --> 01:34:29,995
just over 1,000 before and after school spaces, which are

747
01:34:29,995 --> 01:34:32,715
operated by our local school boards and third party childcare

748
01:34:32,715 --> 01:34:36,595
operators, and these spaces are co-located in schools that children

749
01:34:36,595 --> 01:34:39,115
attend, which allows for a seamless day for children and

750
01:34:39,115 --> 01:34:42,235
families with one drop off and one pickup at the

751
01:34:42,235 --> 01:34:47,432
school that children are already familiar And comfortable with. Next

752
01:34:47,432 --> 01:34:51,054
slide, please. So while the spaces that have been added

753
01:34:51,054 --> 01:34:54,894
through CWELCC help address demand for childcare, additional spaces are

754
01:34:54,894 --> 01:34:58,294
needed to fully meet Waterloo region's childcare needs, especially as

755
01:34:58,294 --> 01:35:04,743
the region continues to grow. demand for licensed childcare Continues

756
01:35:04,743 --> 01:35:08,623
to far exceed available spaces in Waterloo Region. Before CWELCC,

757
01:35:08,623 --> 01:35:14,484
the waitlist for licensed childcare was Around 5,500 children. It's

758
01:35:14,484 --> 01:35:17,604
now well over 10,000 children, with about 6,000 looking for

759
01:35:17,604 --> 01:35:21,564
spaces immediately. even with the new CWELCC spaces, we have

760
01:35:21,564 --> 01:35:25,204
been allocated only 32% of children ages zero To four

761
01:35:25,204 --> 01:35:28,684
years have access to an affordable childcare space. And so

762
01:35:28,684 --> 01:35:32,164
children's services has requested an additional 500 spaces from the

763
01:35:32,164 --> 01:35:36,318
Ministry of Education to continue To grow and create affordable

764
01:35:36,318 --> 01:35:39,038
infant, toddler and preschool spaces for families who need them

765
01:35:39,038 --> 01:35:44,592
the most. Next slide, please. In alignment with the provincial

766
01:35:44,592 --> 01:35:48,112
auspice requirements, which requires that the region maintain a ratio

767
01:35:48,112 --> 01:35:51,912
of 85% not for profit spaces to 15% for profit

768
01:35:51,912 --> 01:35:54,952
spaces. The majority of new CWELCC spaces created in waterloo

769
01:35:54,952 --> 01:35:58,152
region are not for profit spaces and locally there

770
01:35:58,152 --> 01:36:03,288
is strong interest And organizational capacity from not for Profit

771
01:36:03,288 --> 01:36:07,568
operators to support the creation of new CWELCC spaces. but

772
01:36:07,568 --> 01:36:11,048
not for profit operators have identified barriers to increasing childcare

773
01:36:11,048 --> 01:36:15,088
in priority areas, particularly the lack of affordable land and

774
01:36:15,088 --> 01:36:19,161
or space that is suitable for high quality childcare. Next

775
01:36:19,161 --> 01:36:22,702
slide, please. To help address some of these barriers, Children's

776
01:36:22,702 --> 01:36:25,862
services is continuing to work with internal and external partners

777
01:36:25,862 --> 01:36:27,902
to identify land and space that can be used for

778
01:36:27,902 --> 01:36:31,222
community based, not for profit care. So this has included

779
01:36:31,222 --> 01:36:35,022
working with housing services, with economic development and facilities to

780
01:36:35,022 --> 01:36:38,422
identify regionally owned lands and buildings and priority neighborhoods that

781
01:36:38,422 --> 01:36:42,884
can be used for community Based, not for profit childcare.

782
01:36:42,884 --> 01:36:45,764
And this has resulted in some really innovative and exciting

783
01:36:45,764 --> 01:36:50,284
projects that we want to highlight today. The first is

784
01:36:50,284 --> 01:36:54,088
the inclusion. Next slide, please. So one of the projects

785
01:36:54,088 --> 01:36:56,168
we wanted to highlight is the inclusion of a childcare

786
01:36:56,168 --> 01:37:00,008
center in the mixed housing project at 1388 Highland Road

787
01:37:00,008 --> 01:37:03,808
west in Kitchener on regionally owned lands and so this

788
01:37:03,808 --> 01:37:07,408
development is part of the Building Better Futures project. Savic

789
01:37:07,408 --> 01:37:11,048
Homes is currently working with a local nonprofit childcare operator

790
01:37:11,048 --> 01:37:14,888
to plan for the space. And when it opens, it

791
01:37:14,888 --> 01:37:19,349
will serve 88 children in a priority neighborhood. This development

792
01:37:19,349 --> 01:37:22,909
provides a purpose built, affordable rental space for an operator

793
01:37:22,909 --> 01:37:25,229
who was looking to expand and create new spaces in

794
01:37:25,229 --> 01:37:28,469
our community, and it also represents a new way of

795
01:37:28,469 --> 01:37:31,789
working together for us With three partner organizations working to

796
01:37:31,789 --> 01:37:35,109
create affordable housing and childcare together at the same location

797
01:37:35,109 --> 01:37:37,509
and as a model we hoped to replicate again in

798
01:37:37,509 --> 01:37:42,607
the future. Next slide, please. Another project that I will

799
01:37:42,607 --> 01:37:46,087
only say just very quickly is located on regionally owned

800
01:37:46,087 --> 01:37:50,047
lands Is what we heard about today, that Ga'nigqhi:yo Child

801
01:37:50,047 --> 01:37:53,487
Family center, which will be the first Indigenous led childcare

802
01:37:53,487 --> 01:37:59,630
center in Waterloo region. Next slide, please. Children services is

803
01:37:59,630 --> 01:38:02,430
also working with other community partners, including the Waterloo Region

804
01:38:02,430 --> 01:38:05,470
District school board and the Waterloo Catholic District School board

805
01:38:05,470 --> 01:38:09,790
to identify potential school sites that would accommodate prefabricated modular

806
01:38:09,790 --> 01:38:14,999
buildings, Which may accommodate not for profit operators. And so

807
01:38:14,999 --> 01:38:18,479
this would allow childcare to be created efficiently And cost

808
01:38:18,479 --> 01:38:22,879
effectively in the neighborhoods where children live. Schools are an

809
01:38:22,879 --> 01:38:25,879
ideal location for a number of reasons parents prefer to

810
01:38:25,879 --> 01:38:28,879
have childcare that's located close to their home and many

811
01:38:28,879 --> 01:38:31,839
schools Are located in residential areas with green space for

812
01:38:32,737 --> 01:38:37,203
Playgrounds. When childcare is located, is co-located with schools,

813
01:38:37,203 --> 01:38:40,923
the schools functions as a community hub from the neighborhood

814
01:38:40,923 --> 01:38:43,843
and children can attend a childcare location that they are

815
01:38:43,843 --> 01:38:49,669
already familiar and comfortable with. Next slide, please. So currently,

816
01:38:49,669 --> 01:38:52,029
the CWELCC plan is fully funded by the province and

817
01:38:52,029 --> 01:38:55,069
has no impact to the regional property levy. The operating

818
01:38:55,069 --> 01:38:58,589
budget for CWELCC for 2024 with 99 million and of

819
01:38:58,589 --> 01:39:03,686
this 8 million Was foreseeable startup funding to support childcare

820
01:39:03,686 --> 01:39:08,406
growth. However, this amount of funding available does not fully

821
01:39:08,406 --> 01:39:12,006
cover the renovation and startup expenses, and childcare operators must

822
01:39:12,006 --> 01:39:16,477
also contribute towards the cost Of expansion. Next slide, please.

823
01:39:19,056 --> 01:39:22,456
Access to quality and affordable early layering childcare is necessary

824
01:39:22,456 --> 01:39:26,096
for the well being of all children, women's workforce participation,

825
01:39:26,096 --> 01:39:29,976
addressing the impacts of poverty, and supporting a robust economy.

826
01:39:29,976 --> 01:39:33,456
Children's services remains committed to expanding the local licensed childcare

827
01:39:33,456 --> 01:39:36,216
system in an intentional manner that balances the needs of

828
01:39:36,216 --> 01:39:40,814
children and families with supporting childcare Operators. Further growth of

829
01:39:40,814 --> 01:39:43,734
the childcare sector will ensure that Waterloo region has childcare

830
01:39:43,734 --> 01:39:47,294
spaces for families who need affordable, high quality childcare the

831
01:39:47,294 --> 01:39:56,480
most. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor

832
01:39:56,480 --> 01:39:59,920
Huinink. Thank you Chair. Thank you for your presentation. Very

833
01:39:59,920 --> 01:40:05,109
good. The Indigenous Childcare center that you referred to toward

834
01:40:05,109 --> 01:40:07,149
the end of your presentation is not the same one

835
01:40:07,149 --> 01:40:09,229
that we just. Yes, That is the same one, yes. Okay.

836
01:40:09,229 --> 01:40:14,431
Thank you. Just making sure I'm Appropriately informed. Thanks. Are

837
01:40:14,431 --> 01:40:19,178
there any other questions? Thank you. It's good to see.

838
01:40:22,306 --> 01:40:26,474
No, this is for information only. We don't need

839
01:40:26,474 --> 01:40:31,277
a motion. It's good to see The numbers that are

840
01:40:31,277 --> 01:40:33,877
increasing. So thank you all for the work that you're

841
01:40:33,877 --> 01:40:37,511
doing. Such an important file. Thank you. Thank you so

842
01:40:37,511 --> 01:40:47,480
for your time. All right. On to 6.2 homes for

843
01:40:47,480 --> 01:40:52,687
all, the point in time count preliminary information. Mr.

844
01:40:52,687 --> 01:40:56,143
Sweeney, you're going to introduce this. And this is for

845
01:40:56,143 --> 01:40:59,903
information only Again, and recognizing that there's going to be

846
01:40:59,903 --> 01:41:02,703
a lot of interest in this, Just to remind committee

847
01:41:02,703 --> 01:41:07,941
that Before we get into too much detail today, There's

848
01:41:07,941 --> 01:41:09,661
going to be some more details coming back to us

849
01:41:09,661 --> 01:41:12,741
in January with what brought us to these numbers. So

850
01:41:12,741 --> 01:41:14,941
just keep that in the back of your mind. Mr.

851
01:41:14,941 --> 01:41:19,477
Sweeney. Yes. Thank you, Chair Erb, Again, this is just for

852
01:41:19,477 --> 01:41:22,597
information. Both Ryan and I are here to answer any

853
01:41:22,597 --> 01:41:25,237
questions that you might have. I guess my opening comments

854
01:41:25,237 --> 01:41:30,222
is just to clarify Again that This is the preliminary

855
01:41:30,222 --> 01:41:34,742
number that we are releasing publicly. This is the aggregate

856
01:41:34,742 --> 01:41:37,839
number, and in the new year We will be bringing

857
01:41:37,839 --> 01:41:41,639
back further analysis. I've had a number of questions from

858
01:41:41,639 --> 01:41:47,804
councillors And from the general public around, Will we See

859
01:41:47,804 --> 01:41:52,593
data around How folks have fallen into homelessness, will we

860
01:41:52,593 --> 01:41:57,311
see data on Sort of disaggregated on identity and questions

861
01:41:57,311 --> 01:42:00,113
like that, and the answer is yes. And so we

862
01:42:00,113 --> 01:42:02,753
will be working on that. I guess the other thing

863
01:42:02,753 --> 01:42:07,659
to say is that this number Is alarming and not

864
01:42:07,659 --> 01:42:14,862
surprising Based on The experience that we've had As staff,

865
01:42:14,862 --> 01:42:17,942
as partners, and around this Council, the conversation we've been

866
01:42:17,942 --> 01:42:22,982
having around the exponential Growth of homelessness across this community.

867
01:42:22,982 --> 01:42:25,022
So as it relates to the work and the approved

868
01:42:25,022 --> 01:42:28,182
plan to end chronic homelessness, It's a timely data set and

869
01:42:28,182 --> 01:42:30,142
it is just that. It is one data set. It's

870
01:42:30,142 --> 01:42:33,262
a very important one, but there are a number of

871
01:42:35,095 --> 01:42:37,975
Initiatives that we continue to carry out to ensure that

872
01:42:37,975 --> 01:42:41,815
we're providing data informed decisions and solutions for the community.

873
01:42:41,815 --> 01:42:43,815
So we'll just open it up for questions for whoever

874
01:42:43,815 --> 01:42:45,335
wants to. And again, both Ryan and I are here

875
01:42:45,335 --> 01:42:48,988
to answer any questions. Thank you. Councillor James. Thank you.

876
01:42:48,988 --> 01:42:55,242
Through you chair Erb, I was shocked but not surprised

877
01:42:55,242 --> 01:42:59,469
at the number seeing that come out. What I do

878
01:42:59,469 --> 01:43:03,389
want to comment on is the actual survey. So as

879
01:43:03,389 --> 01:43:06,189
someone who looks through a lot of data and creation

880
01:43:06,189 --> 01:43:10,064
of surveys and all of that, I think This is

881
01:43:10,064 --> 01:43:11,944
set up in a way for when you do provide

882
01:43:11,944 --> 01:43:15,624
the results, the desegregated data, There will be something to

883
01:43:15,624 --> 01:43:21,414
tell from this just based on the question And The

884
01:43:21,414 --> 01:43:23,334
information, but I also want to confirm if there was

885
01:43:23,334 --> 01:43:28,389
a qualitative piece to this Survey. Was there any opportunities

886
01:43:28,389 --> 01:43:37,243
for short answer? With the whys, maybe. Mr. Pettipierre.

887
01:43:37,243 --> 01:43:39,603
Thanks for the question, Councillor. And through you chair, no,

888
01:43:39,603 --> 01:43:42,123
that the survey that you see is what was presented

889
01:43:42,123 --> 01:43:44,643
to the individuals that we worked with. There was no

890
01:43:44,643 --> 01:43:48,043
additional component That was recorded or that will be reported

891
01:43:48,043 --> 01:43:50,603
back on it, we'll be pulling the information From the

892
01:43:50,603 --> 01:43:55,508
survey And the responses provided to those specific questions. Okay,

893
01:43:55,508 --> 01:43:59,215
perfect. But overall I do want to say that I

894
01:43:59,215 --> 01:44:01,575
like the way this survey was able to ask a

895
01:44:01,575 --> 01:44:04,935
variety of questions to help with the desegregated info When

896
01:44:04,935 --> 01:44:10,804
you do present that. Thank you. Chair Redman. Sorry, Mr.

897
01:44:10,804 --> 01:44:13,924
Sweeney wants to add something to that. sorry chair Redman,

898
01:44:13,924 --> 01:44:16,244
before that Councillor James, Just want to also add, in

899
01:44:16,244 --> 01:44:18,444
addition to Ryan's comment about this specific survey, is to

900
01:44:18,444 --> 01:44:21,404
go back to my earlier comment around this is just

901
01:44:21,404 --> 01:44:25,452
one, albeit again, a very important data set, For some

902
01:44:25,452 --> 01:44:30,835
of the Richest qualitative data, I would point council back

903
01:44:30,835 --> 01:44:33,675
to the key findings report and the lived expertise report

904
01:44:33,675 --> 01:44:36,555
around the plan to end chronic homelessness that includes a deep, deep

905
01:44:36,555 --> 01:44:40,550
dive that we haven't seen in some time, Just as

906
01:44:40,550 --> 01:44:45,583
a further data set as well. Thank you. Chair Redman. Thank

907
01:44:45,583 --> 01:44:50,113
you, chair. I was surprised when I was at a

908
01:44:50,113 --> 01:44:53,633
recent AMO board meeting that we actually have our numbers

909
01:44:53,633 --> 01:44:57,083
out before Other communities. And my understanding is that a

910
01:44:57,083 --> 01:44:59,483
PIT count is actually something that's directed by the federal

911
01:44:59,483 --> 01:45:04,836
government every couple of years. Yes, this is a federally

912
01:45:04,836 --> 01:45:07,836
required piece of work. And I don't know for the

913
01:45:07,836 --> 01:45:09,516
first but we're certainly one of the first. Ryan, I

914
01:45:09,516 --> 01:45:11,196
would think, I don't know If you know that for

915
01:45:11,196 --> 01:45:14,992
a fact, but we are certainly earlier than most. And

916
01:45:14,992 --> 01:45:16,712
I guess the only other thing that I would like

917
01:45:16,712 --> 01:45:19,432
to underscore and it maybe touches on a little bit

918
01:45:19,432 --> 01:45:22,672
what Councillor James was talking about, and my recollection is

919
01:45:22,672 --> 01:45:25,592
there Were 40 individuals that went out with these surveys,

920
01:45:25,592 --> 01:45:28,832
and I think that that creates a much richer relationship

921
01:45:28,832 --> 01:45:34,380
and in better data. Again Really alarming, but not surprising

922
01:45:34,380 --> 01:45:38,020
given the projections that had already been part of the

923
01:45:38,020 --> 01:45:40,980
data point In the data set for the plan to end

924
01:45:40,980 --> 01:45:43,300
chronic homelessness. I don't know if you want to comment

925
01:45:43,300 --> 01:45:45,940
on that, but I've always felt that last time and

926
01:45:45,940 --> 01:45:49,180
this time gave us a much more accurate and richer

927
01:45:49,180 --> 01:45:52,340
experience than maybe just trying to find out who would

928
01:45:52,340 --> 01:45:57,949
handle these surveys. Mr. Pettiepierre. Yes thanks for the question,

929
01:45:57,949 --> 01:46:00,989
chair Redman, we learn every time we've done one of

930
01:46:00,989 --> 01:46:04,349
these and we get better at doing the work and

931
01:46:04,349 --> 01:46:07,732
counting. A big part of that effort this year was

932
01:46:07,732 --> 01:46:12,452
working with 40 different organizations across this community to really

933
01:46:12,452 --> 01:46:14,972
put a push on what we refer to as hidden

934
01:46:14,972 --> 01:46:18,012
homeless folks that we may have missed In our regular

935
01:46:18,012 --> 01:46:21,572
counting or in previous point in time counts, and we've

936
01:46:21,572 --> 01:46:25,652
specifically targeted those groups in various ways through our agency

937
01:46:25,652 --> 01:46:27,643
partners this year. So I think what you're seeing

938
01:46:27,643 --> 01:46:31,083
is not only is it an alarming number, but it's

939
01:46:31,083 --> 01:46:33,043
more robust in how we've gone about doing it and

940
01:46:33,043 --> 01:46:35,683
I think as a result of that work, more accurate

941
01:46:35,683 --> 01:46:38,519
than maybe it has been in the past. And If I

942
01:46:38,519 --> 01:46:41,519
may, I asked that question that the AMO board meeting,

943
01:46:41,519 --> 01:46:46,279
because they're looking at how we approach pending elections, which

944
01:46:46,279 --> 01:46:48,719
we all know are coming, We may not know when,

945
01:46:48,719 --> 01:46:51,359
and had they looked at their point in time data

946
01:46:51,359 --> 01:46:54,439
to sort of inform that initiative, and I got a

947
01:46:54,439 --> 01:46:57,839
bunch of blank stares, which surprised me and let me

948
01:46:57,839 --> 01:46:59,629
know That we were probably the first out of the

949
01:46:59,629 --> 01:47:04,248
blocks in sharing this with our community. Councillor Huinink. thank

950
01:47:04,248 --> 01:47:07,568
you Chair. Mr. Sweeney, Mr. Pettipierre, thank you so much

951
01:47:07,568 --> 01:47:09,688
for the work that you and your team do

952
01:47:09,688 --> 01:47:18,042
for us. We know it's very difficult. I'm not surprised

953
01:47:18,042 --> 01:47:21,122
by the point in time count, but I am saddened

954
01:47:21,122 --> 01:47:24,042
and I was wondering if you could speak to Where

955
01:47:24,042 --> 01:47:27,042
does Waterloo Region sit in terms of, like, Is there

956
01:47:27,042 --> 01:47:30,562
any per capita data? Are we doing better than other

957
01:47:30,562 --> 01:47:37,318
municipalities in terms of Supporting the homeless. Mr. Pettipierre.

958
01:47:41,811 --> 01:47:45,331
Thanks for the question, Councillor Huinink. And through you, chair,

959
01:47:45,331 --> 01:47:47,491
That's part of what we'll come back with in the

960
01:47:47,491 --> 01:47:50,131
new year. As chair Redman referenced, we're one of the

961
01:47:50,131 --> 01:47:53,451
first to have our number out there publicly. Several other

962
01:47:53,451 --> 01:47:56,611
municipalities conducted at point in time count around the same

963
01:47:56,611 --> 01:47:59,171
time. Some have gone after and some are still to

964
01:47:59,171 --> 01:48:02,535
come. Once everybody has completed their data, we'll have a

965
01:48:02,535 --> 01:48:06,695
better look at how we stack up Comparatively across the

966
01:48:06,695 --> 01:48:10,335
province and nationally when it comes to this work. Okay,

967
01:48:10,335 --> 01:48:12,535
great. I do want to underscore that I think our

968
01:48:12,535 --> 01:48:16,175
valuing lived expertise in this area is unique, and so

969
01:48:16,175 --> 01:48:18,655
I'm all for that. I just want us to be

970
01:48:18,655 --> 01:48:21,874
the best region in the country. And that Includes supporting

971
01:48:21,874 --> 01:48:27,838
the homeless population the best we possibly can. Thanks. Mr.

972
01:48:27,838 --> 01:48:30,358
Sweeney. Yes, Through you chair, Thank you. I just want

973
01:48:30,358 --> 01:48:33,518
to add to that as well. Chair Redman referenced AMO,

974
01:48:33,518 --> 01:48:36,678
so we also know that amo will be coming out

975
01:48:36,678 --> 01:48:41,650
in the new year With a provincially focused Research project

976
01:48:41,650 --> 01:48:45,350
that will, based on a number of data sets, including

977
01:48:47,092 --> 01:48:52,751
Ours, attempt to enumerate The challenge of homelessness across the

978
01:48:52,751 --> 01:48:55,871
province, and they are also telling us they will be

979
01:48:55,871 --> 01:49:01,985
able to quantify The investment required To both reduce and

980
01:49:01,985 --> 01:49:05,985
then finally eliminate homelessness across Ontario. We're told they won't

981
01:49:05,985 --> 01:49:09,305
Disaggregate it by community. There will be a rural urban

982
01:49:09,305 --> 01:49:11,945
split and potentially an Indigenous split, but it, again, it

983
01:49:11,945 --> 01:49:14,105
will go to some other data sets that we will

984
01:49:14,105 --> 01:49:16,865
be able to continue to tell this story, to reinforce

985
01:49:18,545 --> 01:49:22,226
The importance of the plan And the ongoing commitment to

986
01:49:22,226 --> 01:49:30,685
that work. Councillor Shantz. Thank you. My question's partially been

987
01:49:30,685 --> 01:49:37,810
answered. And I guess. What I was contemplating Is, Our

988
01:49:37,810 --> 01:49:40,690
last PIT count was done in 2021, and we've talked

989
01:49:40,690 --> 01:49:45,733
about how much more robust this count has been. So Can

990
01:49:45,733 --> 01:49:53,571
you speak any more to the difference In the quantum

991
01:49:53,571 --> 01:49:57,691
and in the counts. Can we rely on a comparison

992
01:49:57,691 --> 01:50:00,651
or should we just sort of forget about comparing to

993
01:50:00,651 --> 01:50:03,291
the past and say, this is where we're at, and

994
01:50:03,291 --> 01:50:06,371
this is what we have. And I also look forward

995
01:50:06,371 --> 01:50:09,491
to some of the disaggregated information. I think it'll be

996
01:50:09,491 --> 01:50:15,634
really helpful. Mr. Pettipierre. Yes. Thanks for the question, Councillor

997
01:50:15,634 --> 01:50:20,631
Shantz. And there's a lot to unpack In that question.

998
01:50:20,631 --> 01:50:24,843
2021 was a very different time In the world coming

999
01:50:24,843 --> 01:50:27,923
out of post Covid, we alluded to some of that

1000
01:50:27,923 --> 01:50:29,963
in the report and our ability to get a really

1001
01:50:29,963 --> 01:50:33,403
accurate count during that time. I think what we've also

1002
01:50:33,403 --> 01:50:39,673
seen coming out of Covid is Increased inflation, stagnant job

1003
01:50:39,673 --> 01:50:43,913
wages, soaring rents. There's a lot of systemic factors that

1004
01:50:43,913 --> 01:50:47,153
have simply not gotten better since the last count that

1005
01:50:47,153 --> 01:50:50,369
we did. So I believe, without doing further analysis, I

1006
01:50:50,369 --> 01:50:57,362
put forward that The count is both more accurate And

1007
01:50:57,362 --> 01:51:00,282
we continue to see an increase in the inflow into

1008
01:51:00,282 --> 01:51:02,842
homelessness in this community and across the country based on

1009
01:51:02,842 --> 01:51:05,242
some of those larger systemic factors that contribute to it.

1010
01:51:06,995 --> 01:51:13,560
Councillor McCabe. Thank you, through you chair, This may be

1011
01:51:13,560 --> 01:51:16,080
something you can answer when we get the disaggregated data,

1012
01:51:16,080 --> 01:51:19,920
but. I'm thinking back to when Jennifer Gordon and a

1013
01:51:19,920 --> 01:51:24,487
couple of others were here talking about The issue of

1014
01:51:24,487 --> 01:51:29,108
undercounting or hidden homelessness, particularly for women And for people

1015
01:51:29,108 --> 01:51:33,408
who are gender diverse and just wondering If there's, hoping

1016
01:51:33,408 --> 01:51:36,768
there's a commitment to really pull at that thread and

1017
01:51:36,768 --> 01:51:40,128
really so that we get a better picture, particularly about

1018
01:51:40,128 --> 01:51:45,116
women who Are couch surfing, That hidden homelessness that was

1019
01:51:45,116 --> 01:51:48,855
brought to our attention a few months ago. Thank you.

1020
01:51:48,855 --> 01:51:53,215
And through you, Mr. Chair, Yes, absolutely. And speaking of

1021
01:51:53,215 --> 01:51:55,415
the commitment to, Jennifer Gordon led a whole lot of

1022
01:51:55,415 --> 01:51:57,775
that work from the community side with this, particularly when

1023
01:51:57,775 --> 01:52:00,335
it comes to women In the issue of hidden homelessness,

1024
01:52:00,335 --> 01:52:03,015
and I can say that we're so committed that we

1025
01:52:03,015 --> 01:52:10,320
actually hired her To now lead our plan to end

1026
01:52:10,320 --> 01:52:13,960
chronic homelessness. So through the count this year I mentioned before,

1027
01:52:13,960 --> 01:52:16,480
that we did put a dedicated effort into counting those

1028
01:52:16,480 --> 01:52:23,926
hidden homeless populations That included Newcomers, Indigenous, veterans, women and

1029
01:52:23,926 --> 01:52:27,446
gender diverse individuals. And what I can say explicitly is

1030
01:52:27,446 --> 01:52:30,086
the counting of those populations was way more robust than

1031
01:52:30,086 --> 01:52:33,366
it has been in the past. Maybe not completely accurate,

1032
01:52:33,366 --> 01:52:36,726
but we put a concerted effort into making sure that

1033
01:52:36,726 --> 01:52:39,206
we're able to find them, enumerate them, and hear their

1034
01:52:39,206 --> 01:52:41,875
stories so that we can tailor programming In the future

1035
01:52:41,875 --> 01:52:46,902
to address their needs as well. I don't see any

1036
01:52:46,902 --> 01:52:53,023
other questions. And this report is for information purposes only,

1037
01:52:53,023 --> 01:52:58,688
with more detailed information coming back in January. Thanks To

1038
01:52:58,688 --> 01:53:04,117
Mr. Pettipierre and staff. This is no small undertaking. To

1039
01:53:04,117 --> 01:53:07,157
use a word that's maybe overused sometimes, I think the

1040
01:53:07,157 --> 01:53:15,123
initial number was A bit of A shock. But If

1041
01:53:15,123 --> 01:53:17,683
we reflect back on a report that we got with

1042
01:53:17,683 --> 01:53:19,883
a plan to end chronic homelessness, I think it was in

1043
01:53:19,883 --> 01:53:24,561
April, This was the number they were forecasting. And the

1044
01:53:24,561 --> 01:53:28,321
numbers going forward equally were forecasted. And so we do

1045
01:53:28,321 --> 01:53:30,561
have a plan in front of us to address some

1046
01:53:30,561 --> 01:53:34,081
of this, and I'm so hopefully we'll be able to

1047
01:53:34,081 --> 01:53:37,321
address some of these issues going forward. Thanks to everyone,

1048
01:53:37,321 --> 01:53:43,013
particularly the 40 from the community who participated. 6.2.2 the

1049
01:53:43,013 --> 01:53:47,884
waterloo region housing revitalization plan. Mr. Sweeney is up

1050
01:53:47,884 --> 01:53:52,239
again. Yeah Just briefly, though, I guess I will just

1051
01:53:52,239 --> 01:53:54,439
state what is probably pretty obvious. We just spent a

1052
01:53:54,439 --> 01:53:57,839
few minutes talking about a very significant challenge we have

1053
01:53:57,839 --> 01:54:00,279
in this community that we are facing as a community,

1054
01:54:00,279 --> 01:54:02,750
and now we're going to turn your attention To some

1055
01:54:02,750 --> 01:54:04,990
work we are doing to address it and help solve

1056
01:54:04,990 --> 01:54:06,310
that problem. So I'm going to turn it over to

1057
01:54:06,310 --> 01:54:09,270
Ryan to walk us through a quick presentation and then

1058
01:54:09,270 --> 01:54:14,811
answer any questions. Thanks, Peter. And good afternoon again, chair

1059
01:54:14,811 --> 01:54:22,751
Erb and regional council. We're in front of you next

1060
01:54:22,751 --> 01:54:27,810
to provide some context, Some updates, And some consideration for

1061
01:54:27,810 --> 01:54:32,090
future opportunity with regards to our Waterloo regional housing revitalization

1062
01:54:32,090 --> 01:54:35,222
plan. And you'll likely recall us referring to this plan

1063
01:54:35,222 --> 01:54:40,279
as the WRH master plan in the past. And, however,

1064
01:54:40,279 --> 01:54:43,519
being increasingly aware of the power of language through our

1065
01:54:43,519 --> 01:54:47,359
work and equity work specifically, we're now calling this plan

1066
01:54:47,359 --> 01:54:52,386
the revitalization plan. Same plan, but new name. This was

1067
01:54:52,386 --> 01:54:56,666
the plan originally approved in 2019, and we've been back

1068
01:54:56,666 --> 01:54:59,946
in front of you With various updates and amendments approved

1069
01:54:59,946 --> 01:55:03,000
over the intervening years. And today marks another one of

1070
01:55:03,000 --> 01:55:06,160
those milestones as we look forward to not only updating

1071
01:55:06,160 --> 01:55:09,560
you on the significant work made to date, but to

1072
01:55:09,560 --> 01:55:12,693
also get your input on how we move Forward. With

1073
01:55:12,693 --> 01:55:16,805
our final two revitalization projects. To start, I wanted to

1074
01:55:16,805 --> 01:55:22,779
give you a bit of context. And on this slide

1075
01:55:22,779 --> 01:55:26,697
And the next one I'll endeavor to do so. We

1076
01:55:26,697 --> 01:55:29,737
have plans. We have lots of plans. We certainly do

1077
01:55:29,737 --> 01:55:32,737
not lack for plans in housing services. And so much

1078
01:55:32,737 --> 01:55:35,337
so that at times it can be confusing for which

1079
01:55:35,337 --> 01:55:38,577
plan we're referencing At which time. I thought it might

1080
01:55:38,577 --> 01:55:41,457
be a benefit to speak to three of our larger

1081
01:55:41,457 --> 01:55:45,057
plans And explain exactly what they are and how they

1082
01:55:45,057 --> 01:55:47,493
are related. So I'll start With the plan to end

1083
01:55:47,493 --> 01:55:50,053
chronic homelessness, and I think this is probably most familiar

1084
01:55:50,053 --> 01:55:53,893
to all Of you, given its recency and attention that

1085
01:55:53,893 --> 01:55:57,173
it's garnered over the last year or so. at its

1086
01:55:57,173 --> 01:56:00,648
core, This is our plan to address homelessness issues in

1087
01:56:00,648 --> 01:56:06,399
our community, To prevent experience of homelessness wherever possible, And

1088
01:56:06,399 --> 01:56:09,159
to ensure that when homelessness does occur, it is rare,

1089
01:56:09,159 --> 01:56:11,719
it is brief, and it doesn't happen again. So that's

1090
01:56:11,719 --> 01:56:16,615
our plan for addressing homelessness in this community. When it

1091
01:56:16,615 --> 01:56:19,895
comes to affordable housing, we have a plan that you

1092
01:56:19,895 --> 01:56:24,634
may have heard referred to as building better futures. At

1093
01:56:24,634 --> 01:56:28,274
its core, this is our plan to create 2,500 new

1094
01:56:28,274 --> 01:56:32,474
affordable homes inside of five years. You may have also

1095
01:56:32,474 --> 01:56:35,714
heard an announcement just over a week ago from chair

1096
01:56:35,714 --> 01:56:39,114
Redman after national housing day that we have not only

1097
01:56:39,114 --> 01:56:42,034
achieved that goal, but we have surpassed it inside of

1098
01:56:42,034 --> 01:56:46,731
four years. That is our plan for creating affordable housing

1099
01:56:46,731 --> 01:56:50,971
that works alongside our plan to address chronic homelessness. Underneath

1100
01:56:50,971 --> 01:56:54,451
that plan, building better futures, and connected to it and

1101
01:56:54,451 --> 01:56:56,691
supporting it as the plan I'll be talking to you

1102
01:56:56,691 --> 01:56:59,571
about in more detail through the next few slides. This

1103
01:56:59,571 --> 01:57:04,277
is our Revitalization Plan for Waterloo Regional housing. At the

1104
01:57:04,277 --> 01:57:08,519
heart of this plan Is the goal of redeveloping six

1105
01:57:08,519 --> 01:57:12,679
of our existing WRH sites to create at least 600

1106
01:57:14,461 --> 01:57:17,261
Net new homes overall, and I'll spend a little bit

1107
01:57:17,261 --> 01:57:19,661
more time on the at least part of that and

1108
01:57:19,661 --> 01:57:23,141
then net new in the coming slides. Those are the

1109
01:57:23,141 --> 01:57:26,181
three large plans that guide a lot of our work

1110
01:57:26,181 --> 01:57:30,461
in housing services, one specific to homelessness, one specific overall

1111
01:57:30,461 --> 01:57:33,861
to affordable housing, And as part of that affordable housing

1112
01:57:33,861 --> 01:57:39,883
plan, The revitalization plan that's contributing units to that 2,500

1113
01:57:39,883 --> 01:57:42,963
new affordable units in five years, to the tune of

1114
01:57:42,963 --> 01:57:48,393
at least 600 of them overall. This is a slide

1115
01:57:48,393 --> 01:57:52,513
you've definitely seen before. We've added a few more details

1116
01:57:52,513 --> 01:57:55,953
To it that I'll unpack with you. The top part

1117
01:57:55,953 --> 01:57:58,073
of the graphic is the housing continuum, which I think

1118
01:57:58,073 --> 01:58:03,671
you're quite familiar with Now, it's a very simplistic layout of

1119
01:58:03,671 --> 01:58:09,271
the various stops of housing across the continuum. A Simplistic way

1120
01:58:09,271 --> 01:58:16,677
of demonstrating A pretty complex Concepts and movement overall. Underneath

1121
01:58:16,677 --> 01:58:18,477
that, though, we've added a couple of bars that show

1122
01:58:18,477 --> 01:58:22,277
you where the plans that I just went over sit

1123
01:58:22,277 --> 01:58:24,117
in the areas of the housing continuum that they are

1124
01:58:24,117 --> 01:58:26,748
meant to target. So on the left hand side, you'll

1125
01:58:26,748 --> 01:58:29,868
see our plan to end chronic homelessness in the black bar.

1126
01:58:29,868 --> 01:58:34,588
That's a plan that attempts to address issues of homelessness

1127
01:58:34,588 --> 01:58:36,388
from the far left of the continuum in terms of

1128
01:58:36,388 --> 01:58:40,068
unsheltered homelessness all the way up through and including supportive

1129
01:58:40,068 --> 01:58:43,708
housing. Below that, you'll see a dark blue bar that

1130
01:58:43,708 --> 01:58:48,581
says building better Futures. Again That's our larger affordable housing

1131
01:58:48,581 --> 01:58:54,702
plan. Creating 2,500 new units. Those units span a type

1132
01:58:54,702 --> 01:58:59,102
that constitutes supportive housing all the way through to affordable

1133
01:58:59,102 --> 01:59:01,182
home ownership. Those are the types of units that we

1134
01:59:01,182 --> 01:59:05,022
are creating under that plan. and then again nested within

1135
01:59:05,022 --> 01:59:08,542
that plan in the lime green bar is our revitalization

1136
01:59:08,542 --> 01:59:12,422
plan for Waterloo Regional housing. It is specific to community

1137
01:59:12,422 --> 01:59:16,540
and affordable rental housing. And again, those units are contributing

1138
01:59:16,540 --> 01:59:20,340
to the overall count of the 2,500 incorporated into building

1139
01:59:20,340 --> 01:59:24,962
better futures. Below those bars are ones that you would

1140
01:59:24,962 --> 01:59:29,905
have seen previously. The light blue bar representing the places

1141
01:59:29,905 --> 01:59:34,314
and spaces that we have available As service levels at

1142
01:59:34,314 --> 01:59:37,994
each of the stops along the continuum, and below that,

1143
01:59:37,994 --> 01:59:41,754
the dark green bar That lays out the percentage of

1144
01:59:41,754 --> 01:59:45,194
the housing and homelessness budget that is dedicated to each

1145
01:59:45,194 --> 01:59:47,474
one Of those stops. So I thought this might be

1146
01:59:47,474 --> 01:59:50,474
helpful in understanding the plans that we have, How they

1147
01:59:50,474 --> 01:59:54,810
interrelate and How they support not only our service levels,

1148
01:59:54,810 --> 02:00:00,280
but Actually direct the budget that supports each of them

1149
02:00:00,280 --> 02:00:04,720
along the continuum For the broad scope of responsibility that

1150
02:00:04,720 --> 02:00:08,714
we have As service system manager for housing and homelessness

1151
02:00:08,714 --> 02:00:14,078
in the Region of Waterloo. All right, a bit of

1152
02:00:14,078 --> 02:00:18,518
context. I want to quickly give you some updates on

1153
02:00:18,518 --> 02:00:23,038
various projects that we have underway, through our revitalization plan.

1154
02:00:24,557 --> 02:00:29,197
First one overall, Kingscourt Drive in the city of Waterloo,

1155
02:00:29,197 --> 02:00:33,997
currently under construction. We've got an estimated occupancy of 2025.

1156
02:00:35,542 --> 02:00:41,946
This will have 73 units. All net new units. The

1157
02:00:41,946 --> 02:00:43,506
slide actually says new new units.

1158
02:00:43,506 --> 02:00:45,346
So, yes They will be

1159
02:00:45,346 --> 02:00:49,226
very new units, but they are also net new. And

1160
02:00:49,226 --> 02:00:52,146
we say net new. What we mean by that is,

1161
02:00:52,146 --> 02:00:54,626
we did not have to remove or demolish an existing

1162
02:00:54,626 --> 02:00:57,226
building or units in order to build these. These are

1163
02:00:57,226 --> 02:00:59,946
built on a piece of excess property on an existing

1164
02:00:59,946 --> 02:01:03,514
site. So all the units created Here are net new

1165
02:01:03,514 --> 02:01:08,205
units. Our plan is also approved by the previous Council

1166
02:01:08,205 --> 02:01:11,565
under a priority of community benefit. So as we're working

1167
02:01:11,565 --> 02:01:16,365
with our existing tenants, neighbourhoods, agencies and communities. We're designing

1168
02:01:16,365 --> 02:01:20,565
these buildings to have the greatest impact for community benefit

1169
02:01:20,565 --> 02:01:26,089
overall. So at Kingscourt, that looks like Partnering with

1170
02:01:26,089 --> 02:01:29,809
the Region of Waterloo Senior services to provide programming space

1171
02:01:29,809 --> 02:01:33,729
for older adults that are experiencing dementia. There will also

1172
02:01:33,729 --> 02:01:37,649
be other amenity spaces at this building, including indoor gathering

1173
02:01:37,649 --> 02:01:42,864
space, Outdoor community gardens and a playground. Next up, we

1174
02:01:42,864 --> 02:01:47,104
have 82 Wilson. It's being constructed on a similar timeline

1175
02:01:47,104 --> 02:01:52,264
to Kingscourt with an expected occupancy again in 2025.

1176
02:01:52,264 --> 02:01:55,104
Here's where the net new math comes in, it'll be

1177
02:01:55,104 --> 02:01:58,944
48 units in total, 32 of which will be net

1178
02:01:58,944 --> 02:02:02,589
new for those of you that are Quick on the

1179
02:02:02,589 --> 02:02:05,469
math, you'll realize that this building is taking the place

1180
02:02:05,469 --> 02:02:09,789
of what was A 16 unit building in Waterloo Regional

1181
02:02:09,789 --> 02:02:14,500
housing. Tenants in that building were relocated, the building was

1182
02:02:14,500 --> 02:02:18,740
taken down, and we'll be building 48 Units total, 16

1183
02:02:18,740 --> 02:02:22,700
of which will be replaced back into this building. This

1184
02:02:22,700 --> 02:02:26,620
is another building intended for older adults. It's going to

1185
02:02:26,620 --> 02:02:29,740
look, as you see on the rendering, as a six

1186
02:02:29,740 --> 02:02:34,479
story apartment. community Benefit. Amenities here include an outdoor courtyard,

1187
02:02:34,479 --> 02:02:38,919
indoor gathering spaces, programming space for a dedicated community partner

1188
02:02:38,919 --> 02:02:42,039
to provide services in this building and the other building

1189
02:02:44,088 --> 02:02:46,848
That is on site, and it's also going to include

1190
02:02:46,848 --> 02:02:51,531
a commercial kitchen for use in the neighborhood. Next up

1191
02:02:51,531 --> 02:02:54,531
in our development timeline, we have Langs in the city

1192
02:02:54,531 --> 02:02:58,691
of Cambridge, also currently under construction, but with an estimated

1193
02:02:58,691 --> 02:03:03,291
occupancy of 2027. Again, you'll see the net new math

1194
02:03:03,291 --> 02:03:06,691
here. In total, we'll have 136 units on the site

1195
02:03:06,691 --> 02:03:12,733
when all is said and done, 98 of those being

1196
02:03:12,733 --> 02:03:18,413
net new. We've got some interesting community benefit amenities happening

1197
02:03:18,413 --> 02:03:22,813
here in terms of a playground, play areas, barbecue pits,

1198
02:03:22,813 --> 02:03:27,373
picnic benches. Inside, we'll have multipurpose rooms, meeting rooms, community

1199
02:03:27,373 --> 02:03:31,202
gathering space. There also will be a contribution of public

1200
02:03:31,202 --> 02:03:36,848
art that will be featured at this site. Fourth site

1201
02:03:36,848 --> 02:03:41,248
and biggest sites at Mooregate in the city of Kitchener.

1202
02:03:41,248 --> 02:03:47,914
This one is in the design phase of the work,

1203
02:03:47,914 --> 02:03:55,274
with an expected occupancy of 2029. 378 units projected At

1204
02:03:55,274 --> 02:03:59,034
this site into apartment style towers of nine and eight

1205
02:03:59,034 --> 02:04:05,199
storeys. Our plans at this point for community amenities include

1206
02:04:05,199 --> 02:04:10,199
having space for a retail tenant, a community agency partner,

1207
02:04:10,199 --> 02:04:17,899
and a childcare center. Next In the development list, We

1208
02:04:17,899 --> 02:04:21,419
have Shelley drive, again in the city of Kitchener. This

1209
02:04:21,419 --> 02:04:24,059
one is in the early design stages. So early that

1210
02:04:24,059 --> 02:04:26,379
I don't even have an artist rendering to share With

1211
02:04:26,379 --> 02:04:29,339
you on this slide, but it does have an estimated

1212
02:04:29,339 --> 02:04:36,099
occupancy, again, of 2029. Another larger redevelopment with 192 total

1213
02:04:36,099 --> 02:04:39,707
units. It'll be a mix of apartments and townhouse style

1214
02:04:39,707 --> 02:04:44,604
there. And we're Right in the mix of our tenant

1215
02:04:44,604 --> 02:04:48,924
Liaison committee and youth engagement committees as well, and I'll

1216
02:04:48,924 --> 02:04:51,724
speak a little bit more about those in a coming

1217
02:04:51,724 --> 02:04:57,621
slide. The 6th and final revitalization plan Property will be

1218
02:04:57,621 --> 02:05:00,101
at 140 Weber. And I'll talk a little bit more

1219
02:05:00,101 --> 02:05:03,261
about that site Specifically when we get to an opportunity

1220
02:05:03,261 --> 02:05:08,492
for your consideration In a couple of slides. Before I

1221
02:05:08,492 --> 02:05:11,892
do that, though, I wanted to talk a bit about

1222
02:05:11,892 --> 02:05:14,172
two aspects of all of this Work that you may

1223
02:05:14,172 --> 02:05:18,227
not Necessarily hear a lot about, and I think that's

1224
02:05:18,227 --> 02:05:23,190
a positive sign, actually. The first is tenant relocation. And

1225
02:05:23,190 --> 02:05:25,950
as you would have seen from the previous slide, this

1226
02:05:25,950 --> 02:05:28,230
has had to happen at all but our Kingscourt

1227
02:05:28,230 --> 02:05:31,190
site in order to facilitate the new construction and this

1228
02:05:31,190 --> 02:05:34,150
is work that, as you can imagine, needs to be

1229
02:05:34,150 --> 02:05:38,470
done with sensitivity and compassion. we're Asking people to

1230
02:05:38,470 --> 02:05:41,828
leave their homes so that we can create These new

1231
02:05:41,828 --> 02:05:44,228
homes. And you can imagine if this work was not

1232
02:05:44,228 --> 02:05:47,068
done well, what that would look And what that would

1233
02:05:47,068 --> 02:05:51,457
feel like across the region. We have a specific staff

1234
02:05:52,892 --> 02:05:59,361
That does this tenant relocation. As a coordinator Val is

1235
02:05:59,361 --> 02:06:03,761
not here today, but she does this work with these

1236
02:06:03,761 --> 02:06:07,643
tenants, and she does it very. Well. We've learned through

1237
02:06:07,643 --> 02:06:10,843
this process, and we continue to learn through this process,

1238
02:06:10,843 --> 02:06:15,163
but this work is led with compassion, flexibility, and communication

1239
02:06:15,163 --> 02:06:17,963
that Val applies to do this work so that we

1240
02:06:17,963 --> 02:06:23,348
can create these new homes. Also wanted to mention tenant

1241
02:06:23,348 --> 02:06:25,788
engagement as a key part of the work. That may

1242
02:06:25,788 --> 02:06:27,548
also be something that you don't get to hear a

1243
02:06:27,548 --> 02:06:34,700
lot about. Tenant engagement in the design process for redevelopment

1244
02:06:34,700 --> 02:06:37,820
is central for creating the final designs that we end

1245
02:06:37,820 --> 02:06:41,179
up with to add all of these properties. The design

1246
02:06:41,179 --> 02:06:44,110
choices that are made, We know that they can impact

1247
02:06:44,110 --> 02:06:48,350
community wellness in that a well designed building or public

1248
02:06:48,350 --> 02:06:52,110
space can and should foster a sense of belonging by

1249
02:06:52,110 --> 02:06:56,470
creating those spaces that are between work and home, that

1250
02:06:56,470 --> 02:07:00,870
invite social connection and interaction and by engaging the tenants

1251
02:07:00,870 --> 02:07:03,572
in the design process and early in the design Process,

1252
02:07:04,811 --> 02:07:07,571
We aim to create a sense of community and responsibility

1253
02:07:07,571 --> 02:07:10,371
with our tenants that will ultimately live in these buildings.

1254
02:07:12,013 --> 02:07:17,383
Centering the community within that process fosters community ownership, Sense

1255
02:07:17,383 --> 02:07:20,943
of pride. And that gets done through the tenant liaison

1256
02:07:20,943 --> 02:07:24,543
committees and youth committees that work directly With the architects

1257
02:07:24,543 --> 02:07:27,903
on these projects to create the design principles for the

1258
02:07:27,903 --> 02:07:32,924
new buildings. This is overall, to this point, facilitated designs

1259
02:07:32,924 --> 02:07:36,564
that have a strong relationship with our neighborhoods that are

1260
02:07:36,564 --> 02:07:40,404
located that they are located within. Also being mindful about

1261
02:07:40,404 --> 02:07:44,364
those that use the buildings, their specific needs, and allowed

1262
02:07:44,364 --> 02:07:48,844
for creation of knowledge transfer between our tenants and the

1263
02:07:48,844 --> 02:07:56,806
professionals that are designing the buildings. All right. Last

1264
02:07:56,806 --> 02:08:00,686
slide. And this one relates to the future directions for

1265
02:08:00,686 --> 02:08:07,135
our revitalization plan, Pertains to the last two properties In

1266
02:08:07,135 --> 02:08:12,110
our redevelopment list. And as I mentioned before, We brought

1267
02:08:12,110 --> 02:08:16,286
updates, amendments and opportunities To you as committee and Council

1268
02:08:16,286 --> 02:08:20,610
for your consideration along the way of this plan. It

1269
02:08:20,610 --> 02:08:22,570
has not been a rigid or fixed plan, and we'll

1270
02:08:22,570 --> 02:08:25,810
continue to look and identify opportunities that we can adjust.

1271
02:08:27,162 --> 02:08:30,922
And hopefully be creating better end products for this community

1272
02:08:30,922 --> 02:08:34,710
as we go along. The first opportunity that we're looking

1273
02:08:34,710 --> 02:08:39,497
for Your feedback and input on relates to The property

1274
02:08:40,477 --> 02:08:42,877
At Shelley have that I mentioned earlier. This property is

1275
02:08:42,877 --> 02:08:46,557
bordered between Courtland Ave On the one side and Shelley

1276
02:08:46,557 --> 02:08:49,357
on the other in the city of Kitchener. And it's

1277
02:08:49,357 --> 02:08:52,877
the portion of the parcel along Shelley drive that's set

1278
02:08:52,877 --> 02:08:57,117
for redevelopment. While there's another significant portion of the parcel

1279
02:08:57,117 --> 02:09:01,272
that fronts onto Courtland Avenue, Well, that presents with a

1280
02:09:01,272 --> 02:09:06,757
few opportunities For your consideration. It'll be about a four

1281
02:09:06,757 --> 02:09:15,077
acre parcel along Courtland avenue That we have opportunity

1282
02:09:15,077 --> 02:09:18,845
to look at, That was not contemplated through the original

1283
02:09:18,845 --> 02:09:23,891
approval of the revitalization plan. Those opportunities can look like

1284
02:09:23,891 --> 02:09:28,494
selling the land And using the proceeds to finance the

1285
02:09:28,494 --> 02:09:33,414
overall revitalization plan or new affordable housing, it could look

1286
02:09:33,414 --> 02:09:36,494
like selling or leasing that land through a request for

1287
02:09:36,494 --> 02:09:40,294
proposal process to generate more affordable housing Owned by a

1288
02:09:40,294 --> 02:09:43,894
third party. Or it could look like us retaining ownership

1289
02:09:43,894 --> 02:09:48,202
of that land and considering it For further development of

1290
02:09:48,202 --> 02:09:53,390
a future iteration of a revitalization plan Overall. The other

1291
02:09:53,390 --> 02:09:56,750
opportunity that I briefly touched on pertains to 140 Weber

1292
02:09:56,750 --> 02:10:02,780
street. This is our 6th and final redevelopment sites Under

1293
02:10:02,780 --> 02:10:09,079
the plan. And This particular property Is home right now

1294
02:10:10,510 --> 02:10:14,626
To supportive housing tenants. As Waterloo Regional Housing We are

1295
02:10:14,626 --> 02:10:18,946
the owners of the property, the landlords of the property,

1296
02:10:18,946 --> 02:10:25,278
but We partner With Indwell to provide The supports on

1297
02:10:25,278 --> 02:10:31,158
site to our residents And ultimately operate That particular building.

1298
02:10:31,158 --> 02:10:34,358
and so being sensitive to the needs of this particular

1299
02:10:34,358 --> 02:10:38,384
population, We're looking at some opportunities related to the future

1300
02:10:38,384 --> 02:10:44,708
ownership model of this site. And we're doing so With

1301
02:10:44,708 --> 02:10:48,428
trying to find benefit for the existing tenants, And rather

1302
02:10:48,428 --> 02:10:52,206
than doing a one by one, individual relocation for

1303
02:10:52,206 --> 02:10:56,006
those tenants looking for an opportunity where we could consider

1304
02:10:56,006 --> 02:10:59,928
a mass rehousing of Those tenants In a new supportive

1305
02:10:59,928 --> 02:11:04,295
housing building As one of the opportunities that we could

1306
02:11:04,295 --> 02:11:08,371
see. We could also see, through partnering with a different

1307
02:11:08,371 --> 02:11:12,451
ownership model, an ability to reduce the projected capital Costs

1308
02:11:12,451 --> 02:11:16,091
or creating net new affordable units at this particular site.

1309
02:11:17,450 --> 02:11:21,641
Or finally, Again, having the potential to sell or lease

1310
02:11:21,641 --> 02:11:29,740
the land Through an RFP Process overall. So I'll leave

1311
02:11:29,740 --> 02:11:35,347
you with Those opportunities to consider would be happy to

1312
02:11:35,347 --> 02:11:38,547
hear your feedback and input as we go away and

1313
02:11:38,547 --> 02:11:42,591
do some work And bring further thought out plans for

1314
02:11:42,591 --> 02:11:47,111
those two sites back for your consideration. And I think

1315
02:11:47,111 --> 02:11:50,380
in closing, I'll leave you with it, I think you

1316
02:11:50,380 --> 02:11:53,660
can see that the work related to our revitalization plan

1317
02:11:53,660 --> 02:11:57,980
is it's complex, and it's also grand in its scope.

1318
02:11:57,980 --> 02:12:01,243
And it couldn't happen Without a whole lot of divisions

1319
02:12:01,243 --> 02:12:03,883
at the region, working very closely, and they're very aligned.

1320
02:12:03,883 --> 02:12:08,801
Together, along with our colleagues at the area municipalities, So,

1321
02:12:08,801 --> 02:12:12,241
a special thanks to our friends and facilities in

1322
02:12:12,241 --> 02:12:17,481
finance, in legal, in planning and economic development, Our tenants and

1323
02:12:17,481 --> 02:12:20,721
our neighborhoods overall to make all of this work happen.

1324
02:12:20,721 --> 02:12:25,441
To date, the role of permanent and deeply affordable housing

1325
02:12:25,441 --> 02:12:29,623
across the region, It can't be overstated. Without it, it

1326
02:12:29,623 --> 02:12:35,027
creates challenges that ripple through an entire community, Creating obstacles

1327
02:12:35,027 --> 02:12:39,987
to financial financial security, good health, educational success and employment.

1328
02:12:39,987 --> 02:12:42,667
Knowing this and the alignment of this work with our

1329
02:12:42,667 --> 02:12:47,168
strategic plan, growing with care, The work being done through

1330
02:12:47,168 --> 02:12:51,168
this revitalization plan is vital not only today to meet

1331
02:12:51,168 --> 02:12:54,768
the growing demand for affordability, but for the success of

1332
02:12:54,768 --> 02:12:58,808
future generations in this region. The two opportunities presented to

1333
02:12:58,808 --> 02:13:03,368
you today with regards to Courtland Ave And 140 Weber,

1334
02:13:03,368 --> 02:13:07,346
They've been done, Recognizing the importance Of that, but also

1335
02:13:07,346 --> 02:13:11,506
bringing forward opportunities to address the escalating municipal costs of

1336
02:13:11,506 --> 02:13:17,455
delivering on This ambitious plan. Happy to take your feedback

1337
02:13:17,455 --> 02:13:20,600
on what you've heard today, As well as address any

1338
02:13:20,600 --> 02:13:24,823
questions that you may have. Thanks very much for the

1339
02:13:24,823 --> 02:13:31,074
presentation. Councillor Shantz. Thank you, And thank you for the

1340
02:13:31,074 --> 02:13:36,438
presentation and To Peter and Ryan and your team. You

1341
02:13:36,438 --> 02:13:41,038
have a very complex and challenging problem to work with.

1342
02:13:41,038 --> 02:13:44,555
So we appreciate all the work that you do. My

1343
02:13:44,555 --> 02:13:50,907
question, if you can Put up slide five, My question

1344
02:13:50,907 --> 02:13:57,617
is, This is really our picture here. Is there a

1345
02:13:57,617 --> 02:14:03,789
way that We can add in the community piece. And

1346
02:14:05,140 --> 02:14:07,220
I'm not even sure exactly what it would look like,

1347
02:14:07,220 --> 02:14:11,420
but you've got the spaces, Region of Waterloo, Those are

1348
02:14:11,420 --> 02:14:15,620
region of Waterloo spaces. For example, I was talking to

1349
02:14:15,620 --> 02:14:21,369
a developer This week Who's interested In providing spaces and

1350
02:14:21,369 --> 02:14:24,729
looking for a way to do that. I know there

1351
02:14:24,729 --> 02:14:28,626
are other developers that also Are trying to be part

1352
02:14:28,626 --> 02:14:33,759
of the solution. How do we mesh that all together?

1353
02:14:33,759 --> 02:14:41,071
Because the PIT count Is community wide. Mr. Pettipierre.

1354
02:14:44,806 --> 02:14:50,803
Thank you, Councillor Shantz. And excellent question, and one that

1355
02:14:50,803 --> 02:14:54,491
I hope this slide helps Us to address. So the

1356
02:14:54,491 --> 02:14:57,531
plan that we went over today, again, is specific to

1357
02:14:57,531 --> 02:15:02,034
that green bar. Very specific to community housing And to

1358
02:15:02,034 --> 02:15:06,754
affordable rental housing. That's our part of the equation and

1359
02:15:06,754 --> 02:15:11,392
contributing overall to building better futures. The plan as it's

1360
02:15:11,392 --> 02:15:15,752
projected right now, for WRH is going to contribute 669

1361
02:15:15,752 --> 02:15:19,314
Units. that may change a little bit as The design

1362
02:15:19,314 --> 02:15:25,283
process for our Final few redevelopments closes in, but that

1363
02:15:25,283 --> 02:15:29,259
is part of the overall Work of building better futures.

1364
02:15:30,909 --> 02:15:34,869
We continue to engage in partnerships with the private and

1365
02:15:34,869 --> 02:15:37,829
not for profit sector. And those are where we're seeing

1366
02:15:37,829 --> 02:15:41,349
additional contributions that have gotten us to that 2,500 to

1367
02:15:41,349 --> 02:15:44,709
unit count to date, Where we have significant plans to

1368
02:15:44,709 --> 02:15:48,882
do even more. And so while the WRH plan is

1369
02:15:48,882 --> 02:15:53,962
a significant contribution, rough math, about 25% of the overall

1370
02:15:53,962 --> 02:15:59,282
2,500 units, The rest are being done in partnership with

1371
02:15:59,282 --> 02:16:02,962
the private and not for profit sectors. And as we

1372
02:16:02,962 --> 02:16:06,922
look to future iterations of these plans, the next version

1373
02:16:06,922 --> 02:16:10,322
of Building better futures, they'll continue to play a very

1374
02:16:10,322 --> 02:16:13,802
significant part. And we're always looking for new opportunities to

1375
02:16:13,802 --> 02:16:17,242
partner. As I mentioned, even in some of these opportunities

1376
02:16:17,242 --> 02:16:23,623
with our revitalization plan, but more broadl. Overall. There are

1377
02:16:23,623 --> 02:16:25,623
significant parts, and we'll need to continue to play an

1378
02:16:25,623 --> 02:16:28,983
even more significant part, If we're going to be successful

1379
02:16:28,983 --> 02:16:31,863
in addressing chronic homelessness. you'll see that there is an

1380
02:16:31,863 --> 02:16:35,423
overlap between the plan to end chronic homelessness and building better

1381
02:16:35,423 --> 02:16:41,939
futures. We cannot prevent or end homelessness without more work

1382
02:16:41,939 --> 02:16:45,339
on the affordable housing side of the equation. And more

1383
02:16:45,339 --> 02:16:47,619
partners are necessary to do that beyond just what we

1384
02:16:47,619 --> 02:16:50,499
can do through Waterloo regional housing. Bit of a long

1385
02:16:50,499 --> 02:16:57,693
answer. I hope it helps. Just to follow up, This

1386
02:16:57,693 --> 02:17:01,693
may come, We need to desegregate the PIT count, but

1387
02:17:01,693 --> 02:17:05,253
do we know how many People, and I've said this

1388
02:17:05,253 --> 02:17:08,493
before, we've got people in emergency shelters that are ready

1389
02:17:08,493 --> 02:17:14,662
to move. Do we have those Quantums That we can

1390
02:17:14,662 --> 02:17:19,364
see where the bottleneck is, I guess. Part of that

1391
02:17:19,364 --> 02:17:21,964
will become more clear through the analysis in the point

1392
02:17:21,964 --> 02:17:29,432
in time count. Peter alluded to this earlier, One of

1393
02:17:29,432 --> 02:17:33,192
the biggest ways that we can address programming is understanding

1394
02:17:33,192 --> 02:17:36,672
the reasons how people became homeless homeless in the first

1395
02:17:36,672 --> 02:17:39,592
place To provide a bit more of an upstream approach

1396
02:17:39,592 --> 02:17:42,992
in terms of prevention, but also through the survey, understanding

1397
02:17:42,992 --> 02:17:47,327
what would be most helpful for people to exit The

1398
02:17:47,327 --> 02:17:51,460
state of homelessness. I mentioned through the Waterloo Regional Housing

1399
02:17:51,460 --> 02:17:55,221
Revitalization plan Where we'll be starting occupancy in a lot

1400
02:17:55,221 --> 02:17:59,701
of those units beginning next Year, that's going to contribute

1401
02:17:59,701 --> 02:18:04,964
a whole lot to Solving many people's states of homelessness

1402
02:18:04,964 --> 02:18:09,215
currently. Overall, when we look at the total number of

1403
02:18:09,215 --> 02:18:11,935
shelter spaces and the total number of units that we'll

1404
02:18:11,935 --> 02:18:15,643
be bringing online There's more new units coming online Even

1405
02:18:15,643 --> 02:18:19,723
than we have emergency shelter spaces right now, so The

1406
02:18:19,723 --> 02:18:25,123
answer ultimately to homelessness is more housing, more deeply affordable

1407
02:18:25,123 --> 02:18:29,243
housing, and specifically more supportive or housing with supports that

1408
02:18:29,243 --> 02:18:32,163
we're able to offer this population. We need to continue

1409
02:18:32,163 --> 02:18:36,670
to focus Efforts on That end of the equation, do

1410
02:18:36,670 --> 02:18:40,110
our planning and our budgeting accordingly so that we can

1411
02:18:40,110 --> 02:18:44,395
both prevent and end homelessness. Councillor Huinink. Thank you, chair.

1412
02:18:44,395 --> 02:18:46,235
I have a comment and then a couple of questions

1413
02:18:46,235 --> 02:18:48,835
That I'm going to try to roll into one. Thank

1414
02:18:48,835 --> 02:18:52,795
you, First of all, team for your sensitivity to language

1415
02:18:52,795 --> 02:18:55,995
and the way that it helps us or hinders our

1416
02:18:55,995 --> 02:18:59,715
thinking, I'm so glad to know what net new housing

1417
02:18:59,715 --> 02:19:05,534
means, and also the Thinking behind The name change for

1418
02:19:05,534 --> 02:19:10,812
the plan. I think that's fantastic. In the report, or

1419
02:19:10,812 --> 02:19:15,919
the presentation, I should say, You reference Community partner space.

1420
02:19:15,919 --> 02:19:20,439
Have those partners been designated already? And if not, how

1421
02:19:20,439 --> 02:19:23,439
would they apply? And then just if I could briefly,

1422
02:19:25,234 --> 02:19:29,714
I know of an initiative undertaken by Toronto

1423
02:19:29,714 --> 02:19:34,548
City Council and the Indigenous community There, I think the

1424
02:19:34,548 --> 02:19:40,203
initials are ICEC. I can't remember the long form of

1425
02:19:40,203 --> 02:19:44,906
that right now, but it involves Two floors of Indigenous

1426
02:19:44,906 --> 02:19:50,323
housing within an apartment apartment building, which also includes Indigenous

1427
02:19:50,323 --> 02:19:56,057
health center and community hub And marketplace. I was wondering

1428
02:19:56,057 --> 02:19:59,737
if and how and whether that would be a good

1429
02:19:59,737 --> 02:20:09,688
idea For our revitalization plan. Thank You

1430
02:20:09,688 --> 02:20:17,459
for your questions, Councillor Huinink. So for our first three

1431
02:20:17,459 --> 02:20:22,699
redevelopments, Kingcourt, Wilson, and Langs Drive, we do have partners

1432
02:20:22,699 --> 02:20:26,452
planning to provide service in the space. At Kingscourt,

1433
02:20:26,452 --> 02:20:31,052
it will be senior services providing older adults services to

1434
02:20:31,052 --> 02:20:36,157
that population And that community in the building. We'll also

1435
02:20:36,157 --> 02:20:40,557
have seniors' partners at Wilson. We don't have an agreement

1436
02:20:40,557 --> 02:20:43,997
in place With them just yet So I'll refrain from

1437
02:20:43,997 --> 02:20:48,917
naming them. And we also do have partners lined up

1438
02:20:48,917 --> 02:20:55,495
At Langs. Langs Is a particular hub that Had service

1439
02:20:55,495 --> 02:20:58,695
agencies providing support in the past. They will be invited

1440
02:20:58,695 --> 02:21:03,175
back, and we'll also be looking for new partners beyond

1441
02:21:03,175 --> 02:21:10,474
that, In terms of Mooregate, Shelley, And 140 Weber, Nothing

1442
02:21:10,474 --> 02:21:14,579
sets for those particular redevelopments yet. We'll work with our

1443
02:21:14,579 --> 02:21:17,859
engagement and liaison committees as well as the neighbourhoods to

1444
02:21:17,859 --> 02:21:20,459
try to find the partners that we think will support

1445
02:21:20,459 --> 02:21:27,799
those populations Overall the best. Your comment on potential Indigenous

1446
02:21:27,799 --> 02:21:31,799
partnership in any or all of these buildings I think

1447
02:21:31,799 --> 02:21:34,799
is excellent And one that we can look at specifically,

1448
02:21:35,840 --> 02:21:38,760
Both in terms of the services or even the units

1449
02:21:38,760 --> 02:21:42,760
provided. To go back to a previous question, from Councillor

1450
02:21:42,760 --> 02:21:47,973
Shantz, we were happy to support KW Urban Native Wigwam project

1451
02:21:47,973 --> 02:21:50,625
to open up Their housing project in the city of

1452
02:21:50,625 --> 02:21:54,545
Kitchener earlier, or in the city of Cambridge earlier this year

1453
02:21:54,545 --> 02:21:57,945
through our building better Futures initiative. So part of that

1454
02:21:57,945 --> 02:22:01,105
bigger plan as well and have started some great partnerships

1455
02:22:01,105 --> 02:22:04,935
there and I could see That could be something that

1456
02:22:04,935 --> 02:22:07,895
continues through these new redevelopments. Great. Thanks for your consideration.

1457
02:22:09,860 --> 02:22:14,340
Councillor McCabe. Thank you. And as the others said, thanks very

1458
02:22:14,340 --> 02:22:18,809
much for this information And the work on this. Just

1459
02:22:18,809 --> 02:22:22,609
a couple of questions, one of which is, I was

1460
02:22:22,609 --> 02:22:25,169
a bit Surprised, And maybe it doesn't fit in here,

1461
02:22:25,169 --> 02:22:29,689
but where was 555 Beechwood Drive on this?

1462
02:22:29,689 --> 02:22:36,047
because That's a plan, That's a project that was, It's

1463
02:22:36,047 --> 02:22:40,259
been in the work for a while. Let's just say

1464
02:22:40,259 --> 02:22:44,861
that. Through you chair, so the projects that I reviewed

1465
02:22:44,861 --> 02:22:49,381
today are again specific to the Waterloo housing revitalization Plan,

1466
02:22:49,381 --> 02:22:53,021
so sites that we own or operate as Waterloo Regional

1467
02:22:53,021 --> 02:23:00,893
housing, as a landlord entity and so Those are the

1468
02:23:00,893 --> 02:23:06,083
six redevelopments that I spoke to specifically. Outside of that

1469
02:23:06,083 --> 02:23:10,039
work, We've been finding other ways to partner with the

1470
02:23:10,039 --> 02:23:14,239
community that contribute to that broader building Better futures initiatives.

1471
02:23:15,583 --> 02:23:18,027
So 555 Beechwood was one of the very

1472
02:23:18,027 --> 02:23:22,947
first surplus land sites that we engaged through The kickoff

1473
02:23:22,947 --> 02:23:27,147
of building better futures. So it's a partnership with a

1474
02:23:27,147 --> 02:23:32,507
private sector developer and the region where we put that

1475
02:23:32,507 --> 02:23:36,844
property out through a request for proposal process. Developers bid

1476
02:23:36,844 --> 02:23:43,288
on it and ultimately One proponent Was selected. It has

1477
02:23:43,288 --> 02:23:51,189
been a long time in coming And moving forward to development.

1478
02:23:51,189 --> 02:23:54,029
So it is part of the larger building Better Futures

1479
02:23:54,029 --> 02:24:00,541
initiative, it is not under the WRH revitalization plan. My understanding

1480
02:24:00,541 --> 02:24:04,099
and the latest update from my team And Georrza at

1481
02:24:04,099 --> 02:24:06,219
the city is that we are sneaking up on a

1482
02:24:06,219 --> 02:24:10,454
building permit on that Site. And hopefully we'll see some

1483
02:24:10,454 --> 02:24:14,911
shovels in the ground, If not shortly, Then by the

1484
02:24:14,911 --> 02:24:17,631
spring is the latest that I have on that particular

1485
02:24:17,631 --> 02:24:22,938
site. Okay. Thank you for that. Specifically for Waterloo region

1486
02:24:22,938 --> 02:24:28,775
housing, Because I've heard that there's some municipalitie,s I'm wondering

1487
02:24:28,775 --> 02:24:31,295
about the housing accelerator fund, because my understanding is the

1488
02:24:31,295 --> 02:24:34,625
region Didn't have the option of applying for that. But

1489
02:24:34,625 --> 02:24:38,625
since I've also understood that some municipalities have returned money

1490
02:24:38,625 --> 02:24:42,865
in some cases, like, is it worth a conversation again

1491
02:24:42,865 --> 02:24:46,345
with like, is there federal dollars through that program because

1492
02:24:46,345 --> 02:24:52,119
we have some land that maybe We could, Is it

1493
02:24:52,119 --> 02:24:55,199
possible to talk to them to see if they may

1494
02:24:55,199 --> 02:24:57,119
change some of that Criteria and say, look, we've got

1495
02:24:57,119 --> 02:24:59,719
some land ready to go, We could use some of

1496
02:24:59,719 --> 02:25:03,239
the housing accelerator funds, perhaps to get another project moving.

1497
02:25:05,362 --> 02:25:12,280
Mr. Sweeney. Yeah. So through You Chair, Councillor McCabe, I'd

1498
02:25:12,280 --> 02:25:14,197
say, My standard answer to that is we are keeping

1499
02:25:14,197 --> 02:25:18,077
our ears close to the ground on every opportunity We

1500
02:25:18,077 --> 02:25:23,628
can find to bring additional resources to this community. I'm

1501
02:25:23,628 --> 02:25:27,508
aware of the original limitations to the housing accelerator fund.

1502
02:25:27,508 --> 02:25:29,908
In terms of eligibility, I don't have any new information

1503
02:25:29,908 --> 02:25:32,508
for you, but we'll certainly take that back under Advisement,

1504
02:25:32,508 --> 02:25:33,988
but I don't have anything I can comment here on

1505
02:25:33,988 --> 02:25:38,177
today. Okay. And then My last question Is just about

1506
02:25:38,177 --> 02:25:41,457
the two properties that you were asking about, like, potential

1507
02:25:41,457 --> 02:25:45,217
opportunities. I mean we'll have To get more information, but my sort

1508
02:25:45,217 --> 02:25:50,008
of initial reaction is that It would be better to

1509
02:25:50,008 --> 02:25:53,208
keep the public land in our public hands, because then

1510
02:25:53,208 --> 02:25:56,208
we actually can Control for a much longer period with

1511
02:25:56,208 --> 02:26:01,076
the actual affordability Of the housing units that are eventually

1512
02:26:01,076 --> 02:26:06,471
built there. But in the shorter time frame, because we

1513
02:26:06,471 --> 02:26:10,276
also have a need for an emergency shelter space, Is

1514
02:26:10,276 --> 02:26:13,196
that something that we would contemplate on either of those

1515
02:26:13,196 --> 02:26:17,317
sites? I don't know, Just the address well Enough

1516
02:26:17,317 --> 02:26:20,117
to know what else is around that Area. I don't

1517
02:26:20,117 --> 02:26:22,317
know what kind of neighbourhood it's near or anything like

1518
02:26:22,317 --> 02:26:25,792
that. But I do know we're looking for space, so

1519
02:26:25,792 --> 02:26:29,342
just wondered if that's a Possibility. Certainly. I'll take that

1520
02:26:29,342 --> 02:26:32,302
one. So, currently, it would not be in our plans

1521
02:26:32,302 --> 02:26:37,186
to consider Flipping one of these sites into emergency shelter.

1522
02:26:37,186 --> 02:26:40,448
That's not that we couldn't have That conversation. But that's

1523
02:26:40,448 --> 02:26:43,288
certainly not what we're contemplating. I do want to bring

1524
02:26:43,288 --> 02:26:48,136
back To council That at one of our previous budget

1525
02:26:48,136 --> 02:26:51,772
plan and budget meetings, we showed you a slide. Sorry.

1526
02:26:53,207 --> 02:26:57,838
We showed you a slide to outline The upcoming debt

1527
02:26:57,838 --> 02:27:03,038
load and debt servicing costs related, that is, related specifically

1528
02:27:03,038 --> 02:27:05,158
to these projects. So just to make sure that we're

1529
02:27:05,158 --> 02:27:08,078
connecting both of those. And so the recommendation that comes

1530
02:27:08,078 --> 02:27:10,238
forward before you today, and I want to thank Ryan

1531
02:27:10,238 --> 02:27:12,358
and team for being really specific and getting ahead Of

1532
02:27:12,358 --> 02:27:14,718
the question of, well, what might that look like? And

1533
02:27:14,718 --> 02:27:17,127
that was the examples. But you'll See The recommendation is

1534
02:27:17,127 --> 02:27:19,727
really giving us the direction to go and explore some

1535
02:27:19,727 --> 02:27:22,932
of those and One of the elements that we would

1536
02:27:22,932 --> 02:27:26,932
look at is, are there opportunities to reconsider or reprofile

1537
02:27:28,879 --> 02:27:32,639
While ensuring affordability, ensuring that we're meeting the targets and

1538
02:27:32,639 --> 02:27:34,919
the needs of the community. But they might also have

1539
02:27:34,919 --> 02:27:38,959
some positive financial benefit for the region in light of

1540
02:27:38,959 --> 02:27:40,799
the information that we shared with you today. So just

1541
02:27:40,799 --> 02:27:42,559
want to make sure that we're really clear what we're

1542
02:27:42,559 --> 02:27:47,945
asking and why. But to your specific point, we would

1543
02:27:47,945 --> 02:27:51,228
continue, Our first cut at this would be to continue

1544
02:27:51,228 --> 02:27:53,588
to look at this through the lens of adding affordable

1545
02:27:55,380 --> 02:27:58,248
Housing units As a sort of modality that we would

1546
02:27:58,248 --> 02:28:01,629
be delivering. Did you say you're going to move it

1547
02:28:01,629 --> 02:28:10,345
Councillor McCabe? Okay. Thank you. Chair Redman. Thank

1548
02:28:10,345 --> 02:28:12,505
you Chair Erb, I don't want to horn in on

1549
02:28:12,505 --> 02:28:14,265
seconding it but I'd be happy to. I think we all

1550
02:28:14,265 --> 02:28:20,992
would. I really appreciate The slide about the continuum housing.

1551
02:28:20,992 --> 02:28:23,152
I'm a visual learner, and that's really helpful to me.

1552
02:28:24,717 --> 02:28:27,277
I never hear any update from this whole department and

1553
02:28:27,277 --> 02:28:30,797
all the people in it that I'm not impressed. Councillor

1554
02:28:30,797 --> 02:28:34,237
McCabe I continue to lobby as a chair of this

1555
02:28:34,237 --> 02:28:37,077
region to access some of that funding that we were

1556
02:28:37,077 --> 02:28:40,735
not eligible for. I'm going to try to ask Councillor

1557
02:28:40,735 --> 02:28:43,375
Shantz's question in a different way, Just because she and

1558
02:28:43,375 --> 02:28:46,415
I have had many side conversations about this, and I'm

1559
02:28:46,415 --> 02:28:48,775
going to premise this By saying, when I look at

1560
02:28:48,775 --> 02:28:54,565
this continuum, To provide affordable housing, I know the answer

1561
02:28:54,565 --> 02:28:56,485
to all of this is we just need more. We

1562
02:28:56,485 --> 02:28:58,765
need more of everything on this continuum, and I get

1563
02:28:58,765 --> 02:29:01,685
that. I also get that we've been in budget deliberations,

1564
02:29:01,685 --> 02:29:04,365
and this is a really tough year, but if you

1565
02:29:04,365 --> 02:29:08,525
were able to look at people who find themselves unsheltered

1566
02:29:08,525 --> 02:29:12,658
for economic reasons alone, So people That don't have mental

1567
02:29:12,658 --> 02:29:15,898
health, people that don't have addictions issues, but people who

1568
02:29:15,898 --> 02:29:19,378
simply have fallen off the radar because they cannot afford.

1569
02:29:20,648 --> 02:29:22,968
To put a roof over their head, I don't know

1570
02:29:22,968 --> 02:29:26,888
if we have our arms around That number. I'm assuming

1571
02:29:26,888 --> 02:29:28,968
there is a gap because we don't have enough of

1572
02:29:28,968 --> 02:29:32,608
anything. But I'm wondering, what are the pinch points? Is

1573
02:29:32,608 --> 02:29:36,848
it money? Is it landlords That we can partner with?

1574
02:29:36,848 --> 02:29:41,340
What are the things that limit our ability to Identify

1575
02:29:41,340 --> 02:29:44,500
people who are unsheltered for reasons other than some of

1576
02:29:44,500 --> 02:29:47,300
the classic ones we talk about and how we would

1577
02:29:47,300 --> 02:29:51,356
move to filling that gap. It's a bit hypothetical, and

1578
02:29:51,356 --> 02:29:53,076
if you don't want to answer Ryan, you need To

1579
02:29:53,076 --> 02:29:55,636
know how happy Peter is every time he goes, over

1580
02:29:55,636 --> 02:30:04,287
to you, Ryan. Thanks for the question, chair. It's a

1581
02:30:04,287 --> 02:30:08,121
complex question. And it's a complex answer. Not to defer

1582
02:30:08,121 --> 02:30:10,081
too much of it, but it's what we're hoping to

1583
02:30:10,081 --> 02:30:12,961
Get at through the disaggregation and further analysis of the

1584
02:30:12,961 --> 02:30:16,741
point in time count Data. It's going to tell us

1585
02:30:16,741 --> 02:30:21,244
individual stories for those that completed this survey. And will

1586
02:30:21,244 --> 02:30:27,152
provide us Numbers program and policy solutions That will help

1587
02:30:27,152 --> 02:30:29,832
along the way. At this point in time, I don't

1588
02:30:29,832 --> 02:30:32,832
have a good sense of how many people or what

1589
02:30:32,832 --> 02:30:38,485
percentage of the homeless population, The economics situation alone, Would

1590
02:30:38,485 --> 02:30:42,325
pertain to, other than saying anybody that's in receipt of

1591
02:30:42,325 --> 02:30:47,405
social assistance currently right Now, it's completely inadequate in our

1592
02:30:47,405 --> 02:30:52,011
existing rental market. And if that's the majority income source

1593
02:30:52,011 --> 02:30:56,341
for the majority of people that are homeless, They're in

1594
02:30:56,341 --> 02:31:01,141
difficult economic circumstances. That's why the importance of affordable housing,

1595
02:31:01,141 --> 02:31:06,482
community housing, Rent supplements and supportive housing Are critical

1596
02:31:06,482 --> 02:31:09,718
all around. And yes, part of the trite Answer is

1597
02:31:09,718 --> 02:31:15,150
we need more Of all of those, the demand For

1598
02:31:15,150 --> 02:31:17,950
all of those types of housing in our community continues

1599
02:31:17,950 --> 02:31:22,113
to grow Exponentially and The cost of meeting all of

1600
02:31:22,113 --> 02:31:25,473
that, of course, are incredibly expensive as well. The costs

1601
02:31:25,473 --> 02:31:29,633
of not meeting all of those demands, We're also paying

1602
02:31:29,633 --> 02:31:33,159
an exorbitant price on as well. And if I could

1603
02:31:33,159 --> 02:31:35,199
just an observation, It's one of the reasons why it's

1604
02:31:35,199 --> 02:31:38,929
Very important In any milieu that we find ourselves as

1605
02:31:38,929 --> 02:31:44,369
public elected politicians to also advocate for raising ODSP and

1606
02:31:44,369 --> 02:31:47,609
OW. Because it's definitely a contributing factor to people living

1607
02:31:47,609 --> 02:31:53,485
precariously. Councillor Deutschmann, And then I want to remind committee,

1608
02:31:53,485 --> 02:31:55,445
it looks like we're starting on a second round of

1609
02:31:55,445 --> 02:32:01,503
questions. We still have some more work on this committee,

1610
02:32:01,503 --> 02:32:04,223
we still have SID, and then we have a hard

1611
02:32:04,223 --> 02:32:10,196
stop at 05:00. Councillor Deutschmann. Yeah. Thank you. Chair Erb. Just quickly, I just wanted to,

1612
02:32:11,876 --> 02:32:13,716
First of all, I  wanted to congratulate Waterloo on

1613
02:32:13,716 --> 02:32:15,836
the great announcement with the Build Now and the work

1614
02:32:15,836 --> 02:32:18,356
you're doing up by RIM park there, and I'm just

1615
02:32:18,356 --> 02:32:21,492
Wondering It got me thinking. Are we working with build

1616
02:32:21,492 --> 02:32:24,012
now? Are they part of This in terms of what

1617
02:32:24,012 --> 02:32:27,222
we're looking at in terms of partnerships. And habitat for

1618
02:32:27,222 --> 02:32:34,806
humanity. Thanks. Mr. Pettipiere. Thanks for the question.

1619
02:32:39,632 --> 02:32:43,074
I know that some meetings have happened With the build

1620
02:32:43,074 --> 02:32:47,314
now group. I'm not aware of any specific project that

1621
02:32:47,314 --> 02:32:49,314
we have on The go. I'd say from our perspective,

1622
02:32:51,259 --> 02:32:54,179
With regards to our surplus lands, We'd be interested in

1623
02:32:54,179 --> 02:32:59,480
any partnership opportunity that presents itself, As well as potential

1624
02:32:59,480 --> 02:33:04,236
for the last two opportunities With our revitalization plan that

1625
02:33:04,236 --> 02:33:07,505
I mentioned earlier. And just a quick follow up, how

1626
02:33:07,505 --> 02:33:11,864
large is the land at Shelley and Courtland. Through You chair

1627
02:33:11,864 --> 02:33:16,784
the property that was discussing on the Courtland side, That's

1628
02:33:16,784 --> 02:33:23,745
not needed For our redevelopment Is 4.33 acres. Ok Thank you.

1629
02:33:25,367 --> 02:33:25,727
Councillor James.

1630
02:33:36,269 --> 02:33:38,661
Okay. Thank you. Through you chair I would like to

1631
02:33:38,661 --> 02:33:43,006
move a motion to call the question right now. Procedurally,

1632
02:33:43,006 --> 02:33:51,566
there's no debate on that, right? Just vote, okay. So

1633
02:33:51,566 --> 02:33:54,966
can we use your eScribe buttons to indicate your support

1634
02:33:54,966 --> 02:33:57,246
for this. So it was Moved by Councillor McCabe, seconded

1635
02:33:57,246 --> 02:34:01,126
by Chair Redman. No, that was part of your motion.

1636
02:34:01,126 --> 02:34:07,521
Sorry. I apologize. Okay. If you use the eScribe to

1637
02:34:07,521 --> 02:34:07,601
vote.

1638
02:34:25,536 --> 02:34:30,341
Okay, so this is to

1639
02:34:30,341 --> 02:34:39,755
call the question, correct?

1640
02:34:41,933 --> 02:34:44,053
Councillor Liggett, are you in favour of calling the

1641
02:34:44,053 --> 02:34:50,028
question? Thank you. Okay. Carried. Now we're back to the

1642
02:34:50,028 --> 02:34:54,308
original motion, moved by Councillor McCabe, seconded By chair

1643
02:34:54,308 --> 02:34:54,548
Redman.

1644
02:35:19,080 --> 02:35:27,313
Your showing as absent Councillor Wolf. Okay. And that's Carried.

1645
02:35:30,191 --> 02:35:32,711
And if I may, as chair, without being overruled, I

1646
02:35:32,711 --> 02:35:35,951
want to, thanks Ryan and team For all the work

1647
02:35:35,951 --> 02:35:42,491
on this, and particularly Amy and kristen. Around the slides

1648
02:35:42,491 --> 02:35:46,411
of tenant relocation engagement, I attended most of those meetings

1649
02:35:46,411 --> 02:35:52,287
that you had with these Various sites. The relocation of

1650
02:35:52,287 --> 02:35:55,127
these tenants is a massive, massive job other than just

1651
02:35:55,127 --> 02:35:58,207
building these buildings, and so thank you for the work

1652
02:35:58,207 --> 02:36:00,247
you did on that and the sensitivity which you

1653
02:36:00,247 --> 02:36:03,259
treated the people because We're basically uprooting where they're

1654
02:36:03,259 --> 02:36:05,419
living and moving them to other places. So thanks very

1655
02:36:05,419 --> 02:36:07,579
much for the work that you done on that part

1656
02:36:07,579 --> 02:36:17,533
of the file. We are on to item 7.1, Council

1657
02:36:17,533 --> 02:36:23,145
tracking list. There is nothing. Is there any other business?

1658
02:36:27,621 --> 02:36:33,500
The next meeting will be next year. January the 14th,

1659
02:36:33,500 --> 02:36:36,900
2025. Could I have a motion to adjourn? Moved by

1660
02:36:36,900 --> 02:36:40,780
Councillor McCabe. Seconded by Councillor Shantz. All those in favour?

1661
02:36:42,704 --> 02:36:44,064
Thumbs up from Councillor Liggett. Thank you.