Item - 2019.EC6.12

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, to enter into an agreement with the Ministry of the Attorney General to receive funding of up to $150,000.00, and to spend such funding to support the implementation of Justice Centres in the downtown east and north-west areas of Toronto.

On March 26, 2019, the Ontario Government's Comprehensive Ontario Police Services Act, 2019, or Bill 68, received royal assent.  Bill 68 amends policing legislation in the province including the Police Services Act which will eventually be replaced by the new Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019. 

The Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019 will, when it comes into force, mandate community safety and well-being planning from local municipalities.  Such a requirement already exists under the Police Services Act, but Bill 68 will amend the legislative provisions that apply to the City. Under Bill 68, the City of Toronto will be required to develop and adopt a Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, working in partnership with a multi-sectoral advisory committee. Additional requirements are also outlined in Bill 68 pertaining to conducting consultations, risk analysis, actions to mitigate those risks, monitoring, evaluating, reporting and publishing the plan. Through the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, the City of Toronto will take a leadership role in defining and addressing priority risks in the community through proactive, integrated strategies that ensure vulnerable populations receive the help they need from the providers best suited to support them.

This report outlines the approach the City will use to develop a Community and Safety Well-Being Plan that fulfills the obligations under Bill 68 and support community safety and wellbeing across the city.