Ottawa, Ontario Poverty Issues Advisory Committee

Ottawa, Canada

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Type: Policy

Status: Ongoing

Source File: http://www.ottawa.ca/city_hall/mayor_council/advisory_committees/poverty/index_en.html

Description:

Mandate
The mandate of the Poverty Issues Advisory Committee is to provide advice to Ottawa City Council, through the Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee, and its Departments, on issues that impact and address poverty in the City.

Responsibilities
The Poverty Issues Advisory Committee shall be responsible for:

• Providing a forum for citizens to raise issues and concerns regarding poverty in the City;
• Providing advice and guidance to Ottawa City Council, through the Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee, on matters pertaining to policies, practices and programs concerning poverty in the City;
• Conducting advocacy on policy issues on behalf of low-income citizens;
• Providing advice and guidance on the identification of initiatives, programs and policies that will help reduce poverty;
• Forming partnerships and cooperative efforts with low-income communities in Ottawa to facilitate problem solving and address issues of concern;
• Identifying ways of addressing emerging issues so as to reduce poverty;
• Advising on new policies originating from the People Services Department and other departments where applicable when they are considered to have an impact on poverty issues;
• Where applicable, advising on training or associated initiatives to sensitize staff and the community on the issues and concerns affecting the low-income community.

Organization
The Poverty Issues Advisory Committee shall have a citizen membership of between 9 - 15. A majority of the membership shall be composed of individuals who self-identify as being low income currently or within the preceding five years. The remaining membership may be composed of those that have a professional or personal knowledge, understanding and/or experience with the situation. In addition, there shall be (i) a minimum of one citizen appointment representing the rural community. It is preferable that the rural representative meet the criteria of self-identification as being low-income currently or within the preceding five years; and (ii) at least two members shall be francophone.

The Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee and Ottawa City Council shall approve all appointments to the Poverty Issues Advisory Committee.

In addition, the Poverty Issues Advisory Committee shall have in a resource, liaison and/or advisory capacity, the following:

• 1 staff representative from the People Services Department (non-voting)
• A minimum of 1 member of Ottawa City Council, appointed by Council to act as a liaison (non-voting)

The process for choosing membership for the Poverty Issues Advisory Committee will follow the approved Appointments Policy.

Lead Department/Reporting Relationship
The People Services Department shall be the lead department for the Poverty Issues Advisory Committee. The Poverty Issues Advisory Committee shall report through the Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee to City Council.

Workplans and Annual Reports
The Poverty Issues Advisory Committee must report annually to City Council through the Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee (timing to be determined by the Chair, Advisory Committee Coordinator and City Clerk) on the activities of the Committee in the current year and on the Committee's workplan for the following year.