Item - 2012.AU9.9
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on November 27, 2012 without amendments.
- This item was considered by Audit Committee on October 25, 2012 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on November 27, 2012.
AU9.9 - Toronto Employment and Social Services - Income Verification Procedures Can Be Improved
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on November 27, 28 and 29, 2012, adopted the following:
1. City Council request the General Manager, Employment and Social Services, in consultation with appropriate staff, develop a process to identify social assistance clients in possession of business and trade licenses issued by the City, such data to be considered during eligibility review and on an ongoing basis.
2. City Council request the General Manager, Employment and Social Services, in consultation with the City Clerk, to address any privacy issues related to the data comparison included in Part 1 above.
3. City Council request the General Manager, Employment and Social Services, consider business licenses held and how related skills and abilities impact employment service plans and related activities.
4. City Council request the General Manager, Employment and Social Services, develop criteria and guidelines for maintaining bank and other related records for selective recipients such as those having a business license and reporting no income for an extended period of time.
5. City Council request the General Manager, Employment and Social Services, ensure that client employment service plans are based on a detailed review of individual’s circumstances and that related activities are followed up and results documented in client files.
6. City Council request the General Manager, Employment and Social Services, consult with the Province to clarify the definition of casual income described under Ontario Works Directive for self employed/business income.
7. City Council request the General Manager, Employment and Social Services, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to review and resolve the differences between the Ontario Works Directive and the Toronto Municipal Code, relating to records retention for allegations of fraud that are deemed to be unfounded or unsupported.
8. City Council request the General Manager, Employment and Social Services, to report in one year's time to the Economic Development Committee, on the progress made on the recommendations contained in the report (October 6, 2012) from the Auditor General, the measures used to improve the accountability of the system, and the clients with business licenses reporting zero income.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/au/bgrd/backgroundfile-50923.pdf
Appendix 1 - Auditor General's Office - Toronto Employment and Social Services - Income Verification Procedures Can Be Improved
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/au/bgrd/backgroundfile-50924.pdf
Appendix 2 - Management's Response
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/au/bgrd/backgroundfile-50925.pdf
Motions (City Council)
Vote (Adopt Item) Nov-27-2012 8:03 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - AU9.9 - Adopt the item |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 36 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailão, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Mike Del Grande, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mary Fragedakis, Mark Grimes, Doug Holyday, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Peter Milczyn, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Cesar Palacio, John Parker, James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Michael Thompson, Adam Vaughan, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
| Total members that were Absent: 9 | Members that were absent are Michelle Berardinetti, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Janet Davis, Doug Ford, Rob Ford, Giorgio Mammoliti, Karen Stintz |
AU9.9 - Toronto Employment and Social Services - Income Verification Procedures Can Be Improved
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Audit Committee recommends that:
1. City Council request the General Manager, Employment and Social Services, in consultation with appropriate staff, develop a process to identify social assistance clients in possession of business and trade licenses issued by the City. Such data to be considered during eligibility review and on an ongoing basis.
2. City Council request the General Manager, Employment and Social Services, in consultation with the City Clerk, address any privacy issues related to the data comparison included in Recommendation 1.
3. City Council request the General Manager, Employment and Social Services, consider business licenses held and how related skills and abilities impact employment service plans and related activities.
4. City Council request the General Manager, Employment and Social Services, develop criteria and guidelines for maintaining bank and other related records for selective recipients such as those having a business license and reporting no income for an extended period of time.
5. City Council request the General Manager, Employment and Social Services, ensure that client employment service plans are based on a detailed review of individual’s circumstances and that related activities are followed up and results documented in client files.
6. City Council request the General Manager, Employment and Social Services, consult with the Province to clarify the definition of casual income described under Ontario Works Directive for self employed/business income.
7. City Council request the General Manager, Employment and Social Services, in consultation with the City Solicitor, to review and resolve the differences between the Ontario Works Directive and the Toronto Municipal Code, relating to records retention for allegations of fraud that are deemed to be unfounded or unsupported.
8. City Council request the General Manager, Employment and Social Services, to report in one year's time to the Economic Development Committee, on the progress made on the recommendations contained in the report (October 6, 2012) from the Auditor General, the measures used to improve the accountability of the system, and the clients with business licenses reporting zero income.
Origin
Summary
The Auditor General’s 2012 Audit Work Plan included a review of processes at Toronto Employment and Social Services Division (TESS), for verifying reporting of income by clients. The objective of this review was to assess controls over the income reporting process at TESS. The review focused on the reporting of income by clients who were identified as having a business license.
This report contains seven recommendations which are related to improving controls in both income reporting and employment service planning processes.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/au/bgrd/backgroundfile-50923.pdf
Appendix 1 - Auditor General's Office - Toronto Employment and Social Services - Income Verification Procedures Can Be Improved
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/au/bgrd/backgroundfile-50924.pdf
Appendix 2 - Management's Response
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/au/bgrd/backgroundfile-50925.pdf
Speakers
Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong
Motions
That City Council request the General Manager, Employment and Social Services, to report in one year's time to the Economic Development Committee, on the progress made on the recommendations made in this report, measures used to improve the accountability of the system, and the clients with business licenses reporting zero income.