HomeMy WebLinkAboutSHCAC Minutes - 2022-04-14 The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date April 14,
2022, commencing at 4:00 p.m.
Present:
R.Hussein, S. Kibaalya, H. Nagawo, A. Venner, C. Kidd-Chubb
Staff: J. McKenzie, Committee Administrator
M. Hildebrand, Director, Neighbourhood Programs and Services
Guest: G. Smyth
Delegations
NIL
Discussion Items
1. Access without fear policy training, Rawan Hussein & Gemma Smyth
90 minutes
This is to advise that City Council at its special meeting held on Monday, April 4, 2022,
passed the following resolution:
"WHEREAS the Safe and Healthy Advisory Committee is one of the City's citizen
committees of council that comment and give advice on a wide range of topics
that affect the health and safety of the Kitchener community; and,
WHEREAS for this past term, as part of their workplan the Committee has been
pursuing research and the necessary work and engagement to bring forward
recommendations for Council's consideration for the development of an
Access Without Fear policy at the City of Kitchener; and,
WHEREAS there are an estimated 200,000 to 500,000 non-status migrants that
are living across Canada, who enter the country through authorized channels
as refugee claimants, with valid student visas, as temporary foreign workers,
or with a visitor visa, but find themselves becoming a non-status person in
Canada through the loss of these permits; and,
WHERAS a person's situation becomes extremely perilous when they lose their
permits as they are subject to detention and deportation; can work in poor
conditions; become socially isolated; face poverty, abuse, and exploitation;
and may affect an individual's ability to safely access essential social services;
and,
WHEREAS an Access Without Fear Policy is a municipal policy that allows
persons without status the freedom to access city services and reduces the
fear of deportation among people who are in the country without status, and,
Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. If you require assistance to take
part in a city meeting or event, please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994.
and social services, and enroll their children in schools, recreation programs
etc.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that staff be given direction to work with the
Safe and Healthy Advisory Committee on bringing forward an Access Without
Fear Policy, for Council's consideration and approval, which does the
following-
1 .
ollowing:1 . Outlines the City of Kitchener's commitment to supporting non-status migrants
in the City of Kitchener,
2. Clarifies the City services that can be accessed by persons without status as
well as a grievance process related to accessing any listed City Services,
3. Outlines the training necessary for City staff to support those without status in
gaining access to City services; and,
4. Encourages service providers and Community Partners, supported, or funded
by City of Kitchener, to adopt and support the principals of an Access Without
Fear policy,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a public education campaign be developed to
raise awareness about the City of Kitchener's Access Without Fear policy, and
that persons who find themselves without status, can access City services
without fear."
Next Steps: Elin will be helping the committee to put together the policy to bring
forward to council for approval
It was noted that all Advisory meetings until further notice will continue to be
virtual