Item - 2017.CD22.1

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that: 

1.  City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to implement the City of Toronto Sport Plan, set out in Attachment 1 to the report (August 25, 2017) from the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and direct the General Manager to:

a.  Establish a Toronto Sport Resource Group to help guide the implementation of the Sport Plan; and include representatives from community sports organizations on the Toronto Sport Resource Group. 

b.  Strengthen interactions across the sport system through sustained engagement and communication between stakeholders.

c.  Establish a registry of Toronto community sport organizations.

d.  Support community sport organizations by facilitating the exchange of knowledge and expertise.

e.  Incorporate the development of physical literacy into City-delivered sport programs through enhanced and evidence-based delivery models.

f.  Develop an intentional City of Sport partnership framework to catalyze sponsorship and collaboration with institutions, donors and the private sector.

g.  Work with City divisions and agencies to deliver an annual public awareness and social marketing campaign that raises the profile and visibility of sport in Toronto and the City of Sport strategy and identity.

h.  Investigate potential online platforms that would facilitate access to information about community sport across program providers.

i.  Leverage communication channels, particularly digital platforms, to effectively connect people to volunteer opportunities in community sport organizations.

j.  Inspire lifelong participation through the recognition and celebration of the sport accomplishments of Torontonians.

k.  Develop an inclusive sport practical guide and training module that fosters a safe and positive environment for recreational sport.

l.  Sustain pathways for youth to access meaningful employment in sport through the Toronto Sport Leadership Program.

m.  Cultivate diversity in community sport leadership by promoting development opportunities.

n.  Through research and ongoing consultation with diverse communities, increase understanding of barriers to participation in sport and effective methods of engagement to identify responsive opportunities and services.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee requested the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to: 

1.  Provide an annual report to the Community Development and Recreation Committee on the status of the implementation of the City of Toronto Sport Plan, including strategies and outcomes to ensure greater equity and access to sports and programs for all, including women, girls and all equity-seeking groups.

2.  Include, in the next status report to the Community Development and Recreation Committee, a set of foundational sport skills, including recreational, physical and literary, that every Torontonian should have, and that the City should prioritize for programming, including learn to swim, skating, cycling and others.

3.  Report to the Community Development and Recreation Committee on the issue of access for low-income families to community sport, being included in the City of Toronto Sport Plan.

The following gave a presentation to the Community Development and Recreation Committee on the City of Toronto Sport Plan:

-  the Director, Community Recreation, Parks, Forestry and Recreation; and

-  the Project Manager, Community Recreation, Parks, Forestry and Recreation.

This report seeks approval from City Council for the City of Toronto Sport Plan. The Sport Plan responds to direction from the Community Development and Recreation Committee requesting Parks, Forestry and Recreation (PFR) to report on the steps necessary to develop a Toronto Sports Strategy.

The Sport Plan will serve as a guide to the City of Toronto and its partners to collaboratively support lifelong participation in sport for all Torontonians. It will build capacity for the delivery of quality sport programs, increase awareness about community sport and promote inclusive opportunities for participation. The plan recommendations will also focus City efforts to sustain and optimize the many legacies of the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, including: a strong interest in volunteerism, infrastructure investment, and sport development programs.

The development of the Sport Plan was informed by an extensive research and engagement process. Consultation was representative of the Toronto sport system and the city's diversity. Residents, City staff, community sport organizations and other key stakeholders meaningfully contributed throughout the engagement process. Plan recommendations align with other City sport-specific plans and advance a number of other Council-approved strategic plans that support the quality of life, healthy lifestyles, poverty reduction and equitable access to services.

The City, as well as numerous organizations across the recreation, sport, education, and health and social services sectors, contribute to Toronto's large sport system by providing sport programming, infrastructure and expertise that support participation by residents. Successful implementation of the Sport Plan over the next five years will require collaboration across these sectors. Recommendations in the Sport Plan will be incorporated into Parks, Forestry and Recreation's existing operational work planning, service delivery, budget and strategic partnerships. Implementation will build upon initiatives that are already ongoing and which are currently advancing Sport Plan targeted outcomes.