June 15, 2020
METRO VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT COVID‐19 RESPONSE TASK FORCE
REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, June 17, 2020 1:00 pm
28th Floor Boardroom, 4730 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia
R E V I S E D A G E N D A1 1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
1.1 June 17, 2020 Regular Meeting Agenda That the COVID‐19 Response Task Force adopt the agenda for its regular meeting scheduled for June 17, 2020 as circulated.
2. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
2.1 June 3, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes
That the COVID‐19 Response Task Force adopt the minutes of its regular meeting held June 3, 2020 as circulated.
3. DELEGATIONS
3.1 Randhir Hundal, Premier Recruitment Services Inc. Subject: Public Employment and Reducing EI/CERB during the COVID‐19 pandemic
4. INVITED PRESENTATIONS 5. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE OR STAFF
5.1 Regional Planning Data – COVID‐19 Impacts Verbal Update Designated Speaker: Heather McNell, General Manager, Regional Planning and Housing Services
5.2 COVID‐19 Possible Impacts on Population Projections Verbal Update Designated Speaker: Heather McNell, General Manager, Regional Planning and Housing Services
1 Note: Recommendation is shown under each item, where applicable.
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COVID‐19 Response Task Force Regular Agenda June 17, 2020
Agenda Page 2 of 2
6. INFORMATION ITEMS
6.1 Correspondence dated June 10, 2020 to Prime Minister Trudeau regarding Support
for Canada’s Municipalities from the CGCC and the BCC 7. OTHER BUSINESS
7.1 COVID‐19 Response Roundtable of Issues by Members 8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM DELEGATIONS 9. RESOLUTION TO CLOSE MEETING
Note: The Committee must state by resolution the basis under section 90 of the Community Charter on which the meeting is being closed. If a member wishes to add an item, the basis must be included below.
That the COVID‐19 Response Task Force close its regular meeting scheduled for June 17, 2020 pursuant to the Community Charter provisions, Section 90 (2) (b) as follows: “90 (2) A part of a meeting must be closed to the public if the subject matter being
considered relates to one or more of the following: (b) the consideration of information received and held in confidence relating to
negotiations between the regional district and a provincial government or the federal government or both and a third party.”
10. ADJOURNMENT/CONCLUSION
That the COVID‐19 Response Task Force adjourn/conclude its regular meeting of June 17, 2020.
Membership: Dhaliwal, Sav (C) ‐ Burnaby Buchanan, Linda (VC) ‐ North Vancouver City Baird, Ken ‐ Tsawwassen First Nation Belenkie, Neil ‐ Belcarra Booth, Mary‐Ann ‐ West Vancouver Brodie, Malcolm ‐ Richmond Coté, Jonathan ‐ New Westminster Dingwall, Bill ‐ Pitt Meadows
Froese, Jack ‐ Langley Township Harvie, George ‐ Delta Hocking, David ‐ Bowen Island Hurley, Mike ‐ Burnaby Little, Mike ‐ North Vancouver District McCallum, Doug ‐ Surrey McCutcheon, Jen ‐ Electoral Area A McEwen, John – Anmore
McLaughlin, Ron ‐ Lions Bay Morden, Mike ‐ Maple Ridge Stewart, Kennedy ‐ Vancouver Stewart, Richard ‐ Coquitlam Vagramov, Rob ‐ Port Moody van den Broek, Val ‐ Langley City Walker, Darryl ‐ White Rock West, Brad ‐ Port Coquitlam
Added
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METRO VANCOUVER REGIONAL DISTRICT COVID-19 RESPONSE TASK FORCE
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) COVID-19 Response Task Force held at 1:02 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 in the 28th Floor Boardroom, 4730 Kingsway, Burnaby, British Columbia.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair, Board Chair Sav Dhaliwal, Burnaby Vice Chair, Mayor Linda Buchanan, North Vancouver City* Mayor Neil Belenkie, Belcarra* Mayor Mary-Ann Booth, West Vancouver* Mayor Malcolm Brodie, Richmond* Mayor Jonathan Coté, New Westminster* Mayor Bill Dingwall, Pitt Meadows* Mayor Jack Froese, Langley Township* Councillor David Hocking, Bowen Island* Mayor Mike Hurley, Burnaby* Mayor Mike Little, North Vancouver District* Mayor Doug McCallum, Surrey* Director Jen McCutcheon, Electoral Area A* Mayor John McEwen, Anmore* Mayor Ron McLaughlin, Lions Bay* Mayor Mike Morden, Maple Ridge* (arrived at 1:07 p.m.) Mayor Kennedy Stewart, Vancouver* Mayor Richard Stewart, Coquitlam* Mayor Rob Vagramov, Port Moody Mayor Val van den Broek, Langley City* Mayor Darryl Walker, White Rock* Mayor Brad West, Port Coquitlam* (arrived at 1:06 p.m.)
MEMBERS ABSENT: Chief Ken Baird, Tsawwassen Mayor George Harvie, Delta
STAFF PRESENT: Jerry W. Dobrovolny, Chief Administrative Officer Janis Knaupp, Legislative Services Coordinator, Board and Information Services
*denotes electronic meeting participation as authorized by Section 3.6.2 of the Procedure Bylaw
2.1
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1. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
1.1 June 3, 2020 Regular Meeting Agenda It was MOVED and SECONDED That the COVID-19 Response Task Force adopt the agenda for its regular meeting scheduled for June 3, 2020 as circulated.
CARRIED 1:06 p.m. Mayor West arrived at the meeting. 2. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES
2.1 May 20, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes
It was MOVED and SECONDED That the COVID-19 Response Task Force adopt the minutes of its regular meeting held May 20, 2020 as circulated.
CARRIED 3. DELEGATIONS
No items presented. 1:07 p.m. Mayor Morden arrived at the meeting. 4. INVITED PRESENTATIONS
4.1 Larry Beasley, Distinguished Practice Professor of Planning, University of British
Columbia and Jennifer Keesmaat, Former Chief Planner, City of Toronto Larry Beasley, Distinguished Practice Professor of Planning, University of British Columbia and Jennifer Keesmaat, Former Chief Planner, City of Toronto, introduced members to the Urban Declaration as an opportunity for local governments to move forward from impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, by committing to accelerate change through a greener, cleaner, decarbonized economy through responsible land use, decarbonizing transportation systems, and embracing sustainability in built and natural environments.
Members were informed about how the Declaration can be shaped to support local planning decisions and inform policy, and about the establishment of a coalition of Canadian organizations whose purpose is to facilitate dialogue around actions and implementation, to strike task forces to create action plans and tools to support implementation of individual actions, and to develop research, analysis and resources to support implementation.
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Metro Vancouver was requested to participate in the coalition and to explore how actions may align with regional management plans.
Members suggested consideration be given to: • local governments engaging residents in discussion on the Declaration • potential advocacy and facilitation roles for Metro Vancouver • including more actions related to the natural environment • including advocacy to senior government to change how local governments
are funded and banking practices as part of economic recovery efforts • including more actions related to sustainability and the natural environment In response to questions, the presenters informed members there is interest to include actions to advocate for sustainable transit funding, and local government funding is not included as each Province has different funding arrangements. Members were informed staff will engage the Regional Planning Advisory Committee, Climate Action and Regional Planning Committees and TransLink and report back with recommendations for consideration by the Task Force and Board.
It was MOVED and SECONDED
That the COVID-19 Response Task Force refer the 2020 Declaration for Resilience in Canadian Cities to the Regional Planning Committee to: a) consider how best to participate in the national planning dialogue underway
to advance the 2020 Declaration, b) engage with member jurisdictions and TransLink to set the actions in the 2020
Declaration in a regional context and consider how to integrate the actions through supportive regional policies in Metro 2050, Climate 2050 and Transport 2050, and
c) report back to the Task Force with a recommendation regarding endorsement.
CARRIED 5. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEE OR STAFF
5.1 COVID-19 Response Task Force – Future Meetings Members discussed scheduling future Task Force meetings.
It was MOVED and SECONDED That the COVID-19 Response Task Force direct staff to schedule a Task Force meeting in July and September 2020.
CARRIED 6. INFORMATION ITEMS
No items presented.
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7. OTHER BUSINESS 7.1 COVID-19 Response Roundtable of Issues by Members
A member inquired about whether Metro Vancouver could coordinate provincial health orders and commented on the availability of data related to antibody testing to determine immunity to the current strain of the coronavirus. Members were informed that staff can reach out to the Province and share health information with members.
8. BUSINESS ARISING FROM DELEGATIONS No items presented.
9. RESOLUTION TO CLOSE MEETING It was MOVED and SECONDED
That the COVID-19 Response Task Force close its regular meeting scheduled for June 3, 2020 pursuant to the Community Charter provisions, Section 90 (2) (b) as follows: “90 (2) A part of a meeting must be closed to the public if the subject matter being
considered relates to one or more of the following: (b) the consideration of information received and held in confidence relating
to negotiations between the regional district and a provincial government or the federal government or both and a third party.”
CARRIED 10. ADJOURNMENT/CONCLUSION
It was MOVED and SECONDED
That the COVID-19 Response Task Force adjourn its regular meeting of June 3, 2020. CARRIED
(Time: 2:09 p.m.) ____________________________ ____________________________ Janis Knaupp, Sav Dhaliwal, Chair Legislative Services Coordinator 39376505 FINAL
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Wednesday, June 10, 2020
The Right Honourable Justin P. J. Trudeau Prime Minister of Canada 80 Wellington Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2 [email protected]
Re: Support for Canada’s Municipalities facing severe financial impact of COVID-19
Dear Prime Minister:
During this critical transition period for the Canadian economy, the Canadian Global Cities Council (CGCC) and the Business Council of Canada (BCC) have collaborated to provide a national viewpoint on the immediate crisis faced by our cities and the businesses that operate in them.
Founded in 2015, the Canadian Global Cities Council (CGCC) is a coalition of CEOs of nine of Canada’s largest urban Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade coast-to-coast: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Brampton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Halifax. Representing half of Canada’s GDP and population, the CGCC is a strong voice for national policies that build competitive and sustainable urban economies.
Founded in 1976, the Business Council of Canada is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization representing business leaders in every region and sector of the country. The Council’s member companies employ 1.7 million Canadians, contribute the largest share of federal corporate taxes, and are responsible for most of Canada’s exports, corporate philanthropy, and private sector investments in research and development. Through supply chain partnerships, service contracts and mentoring programs, Business Council members support many hundreds of thousands of small businesses and entrepreneurs in communities of all sizes, in every part of Canada.
We appreciate your announcement on June 1st, accelerating this year’s federal funding to cities. It clearly recognizes the crisis currently facing municipalities across the country. While this money will help with short term liquidity issues, it is not new money and does not address operating costs and the crisis of non-recoverable losses being faced by municipalities of all sizes.
As cities and businesses begin re-opening across Canada, it is our joint view that a national approach would be beneficial. We would ask that your government consider these principles as you look to build additional programs that directly aide in the broader recovery effort of our cities, our municipalities and our businesses.
Cities are economic engines for Canada. Local governments own and operate nearly two thirdsof core infrastructure, alongside vital services. That includes the transit systems and roadwaysthat connect workers to jobs, and consumers to businesses. From parks and recreation tohousing, they promote the quality of life that makes our urban regions so competitive.
The pandemic has cities facing a financial crisis. They are working hard to support residents andbusinesses through the pandemic—and that means unanticipated costs. At the same time,revenues from user fees and property taxes are bottoming out. Municipalities with public transitsystems face significant revenue losses at the fare box, estimated at $400 million per monthnationwide and approximately 30 to 50 per cent of monthly net losses for these municipalities.This has them facing unprecedented, non-recoverable financial losses ($10B-15B).
6.1
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Emergency support and new tools available for municipalities is now critical—not only to keep frontline services running, but also to protect the economic recovery Canadians will soon be counting on cities and businesses to lead together. One option put forward by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities is for federal and provincial governments to provide $10 billion in emergency operating funding from.
Cities are out of other options. Cities need financial tools and support to ensure that essential and front-line services can be maintained. Without support or additional tools, the options left to cities are unacceptable to Canadians and the business community. This is no time to cut back frontline municipal services. Shelving economically enhancing capital projects would directly undermine the economic stimulus our regions will soon require. Massive property tax levies next year would throttle businesses and consumers in the earliest days of recovery.
Governments need to work together now. Canada’s business community and local leaders need all governments working together on this right now—so that, together, we can be ready to drive the strong and confident recovery Canadians deserve.
In recovery, we need a National Urban Strategy for Canada – this would shift from the current ad hoc project-based approach to federal infrastructure investments in Canada’s major metros to one that aligns investments with regional priorities to accommodate growth and competitiveness.
While we appreciate the early efforts of the Federal Government to support businesses and the municipal
infrastructure that allows them to operate, we hope, as advocate organizations for businesses of all sizes across
Canada, that your government considers taking a broader, more collaborative view as outlined in the principles
brought forward here. Never have businesses and local governments needed to collaborate as they do now, and
never has the economy needed these groups to jointly thrive, enabling the Canadian economy to return to a
position of growth and stability.
Please to not hesitate to reach out if you wish to discuss further.
Sincerely,
Patrick Sullivan Chair, Canadian Global Cities Council
Goldy Hyder President and CEO, Business Council of Canada
The Canadian Global Cities Council
[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]
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Patrick Sullivan (Chair)
President & CEO
Janet De Silva,
President & CEO
Bridgitte Anderson
President & CEO
Janet Riopel
President & CEO
Loren Remillard
President & CEO
Dr. Sandip Lalli
President & CEO
Michel LeBlanc
President & CEO
Todd Letts
President & CEO
Sueling Ching
President & CEO
About the CGCC
Founded in 2015, The Canadian Global Cities Council (CGCC) is a coalition of CEOs of nine of Canada’s
largest urban Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade coast-to-coast: Vancouver, Calgary,
Edmonton, Winnipeg, Brampton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Halifax. Representing half of Canada’s
GDP and population, the CGCC is a strong voice for national policies that build competitive and
sustainable urban economies.
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