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Community Services Committee - September 16, 2009 Public Meeting Minutes   |
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6:03 p.m.
Regional Council Chamber
150 Frederick Street, Kitchener, ON
Present were: Chair S. Strickland, J. Brewer, D. Craig*, T. Galloway, J. Haalboom, R. Kelterborn, C. Millar, J. Mitchell, K. Seiling and B. Strauss
Members absent: K. Denouden, B. Halloran, W. Roth, J. Smola, J. Wideman and C. Zehr
OPENING REMARKS – Chair
S. Strickland outlined the purpose of the Public Input meeting, noting it was for discussion purposes only and that no decisions would be made concerning the issue of a living wage at this meeting. He summarized the next steps to be taken by staff subsequent to the meeting. He provided an overview of the public notice and advised that sign-in sheets are available for persons who wish to receive follow-up communications from Regional staff. He provided further instruction with regard to public input meeting protocol.
DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST UNDER THE MUNICIPAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST ACT
None declared
PUBLIC MEETING TO RECEIVE PUBLIC INPUT CONCERNING A LIVING WAGE POLICY
SS-09-018, Living Wage Impact Assessment - Phase 2
Regional Councillors approved this staff report at the March 31, 2009 meeting of the Community Services Committee.
STAFF PRESENTATION
Lynn Randall, Director, Social Planning and Nicole Francoeur, Social Planning Associate, provided a presentation on the report; a copy of the presentation is appended to the original minutes.
N. Francoeur provided a definition of a living wage and the calculation formula. She indicated that the rate of $13.62 remains a valid rate based on 2009 costs. She outlined wage comparisons, set the context for the proposed living wage and provided a history of the activities to date, highlighting the broad spectrum of meetings and consultations that have taken place with local stakeholders.
N. Francoeur identified the four (4) phases of the proposal process, stating that the Region is currently involved in the third stage. She defined and identified those employees that would be impacted by a living wage.
L. Randall provided the timelines of the Living Wage Impact Assessment and stated that a Regional interdepartmental group was established to undertake this process. She summarized the activities during phases 1 and 2. She advised that the Social Planning Council of Kitchener Waterloo facilitated public surveys, focus groups and stakeholder groups in which more than 700 participants were involved. She concluded that there will be further consultation with staff and that a report will be presented to Regional Council in late fall 2009. She referred to the four options currently being considered.
DELEGATIONS
i) Mike Connolly, Waterloo, provided a written submission to the Committee; a copy is appended to the original minutes. He stated that he doesn’t support a living wage as proposed and is concerned that taxpayers could be subsidizing this program. He expressed his concerns with the deficiencies of the provincial minimum wage and other income support programs. He stated that the proposed policy discriminates against lower income residents. He suggested that the living wage proposal be placed on the next municipal election ballot to determine if Regional Council has a mandate to implement this program.
ii) Mary MacKeighen, Executive Director of Opportunities Waterloo Region introduced her colleague, Cheryl Ives, who made a presentation to the Committee; a copy is appended to original minutes. C. Ives stated that the rate for the proposed living wage is a conservative estimate, and while it isn’t a solution, it’s a significant step towards reducing poverty in the Region. She provided a summary of estimated costs used to formulate a living wage rate. She advised that more than 120 American municipalities have implemented a living wage over last 15 years. She identified the benefits of a living wage, addressed the impact to the business community and suggested that the increased costs to doing business would be less than the rate of inflation.
iii) Vance Powell had registered as a delegation but did not appear before the Committee.
iv) Kate Daley, Waterloo, indicated her support for the proposed living wage, specifically the fourth option. She stated that Regional adoption of this policy would be a clear indication of local government responsiveness to community needs. She expressed her concern that students weren’t part of the impacted groups in the proposal. She requested that Regional Council review the ethical and practical basis for including this group of employees in a living wage policy. In response to a Committee inquiry, K. Daley stated that the Region is in an excellent position to implement the proposed policy.
v) Jane Breithaupt, Waterloo, stated that the proposed living wage is an opportunity for Regional Council to achieve its goal of reducing poverty in the Region. She suggested that the impact of a living wage would be immediate and would have positive repercussions for years to come. She concluded that a living wage would ensure an inclusive and civil community and she endorsed the proposal, acknowledging Regional Council’s visionary leadership.
vi) Steve Sachs, Waterloo Regional Labour Council, addressed the Committee and stated that he is in support of the living wage proposal, specifically the fourth option. He highlighted the benefits to contractors, citing reductions in employee turnover and increases in employee production and job satisfaction. He suggested that if costs to the Region are too great, other options are available.
vii) Herbert Pimlott, Kitchener-Waterloo Coalition for Social Justice, expressed his support for the proposed living wage. He highlighted the findings of the research he has conducted specifically the impact of a living wage in London, England. He stated that the cost to local government tends to be less than 1% and stimulates the local economy. He summarized the social impact on people with lower incomes, including new Canadians and graduate students.
viii) Peter Thurley, President, Kitchener Centre NDP Riding Association, expressed his support for the proposal and encouraged Regional Council to endorse the fourth option. He stated that the policy would have a positive impact on local businesses. In response to a Committee inquiry about the case evidence that businesses would follow Regional Council’s lead, Mr. Thurley stated that he doesn’t have data but believes that a living wage is good business practice.
* D. Craig left the meeting at 6:55 p.m.
ix) Sean Zister, Owner/Proprietor, Seven Shores Urban Market & Café, expressed his support of a living wage policy, specifically the fourth option. He stated that as a small business operator for the past 5 years, he pays his employees a living wage and believes that if this policy is adopted it will inspire other small businesses. Mr. Zister summarized the benefits of paying a living wage, both to employers and employees.
* D. Craig joined the meeting at 7:04 p.m.
Call for Additional Delegations
x) Clair Mosher, Kitchener, endorsed the proposed living wage and stated that implementation of the policy will reduce poverty for those with disabilities.
COMMUNICATIONS
i) Xiaopu Fung, Waterloo, submitted written comments. This was received for information.
ii) Greg deGroot-Maggetti, Kitchener, submitted written comments. This was received for information.
S. Strickland gave closing remarks, expressing his appreciation for the input received. He advised that all comments will be taken into account during the preparation of the staff report, which is expected to be presented to the Community Services committee in December 2009.
ADJOURN
MOVED by J. Haalboom
SECONDED by B. Strauss
THAT the meeting adjourn.
CARRIED
The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
COMMITTEE CHAIR, S. Strickland
COMMITTEE CLERK, S. Natolochny
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