Community and
Protective Services Committee
Comité des services communautaires et de protection
Submitted by/Soumis par:
Steve Kanellakos, Deputy City Manager / Directeur
municipal adjoint
City Operations / Opérations municipales
Contact Person/Personne-ressource
Donna Gray,
Director/directrice
Organizational
Development and Performance/Services du développement et du rendement
organisationnels, 613‑580‑2424, ext./poste 25684
REPORT
RECOMMENDATION
That the
Community and Protective Services Committee receive the
Commission de la Jeunesse d’Ottawa Youth Commission (CJOYC) Final Report 2010
attached as Document 1.
RECOMMANDATION DU
RAPPORT
Que le Comité des services communautaires et de protection prenne
connaissance du Rapport final 2010 ci-joint (Document 1) de la Commission de la
jeunesse d’Ottawa Youth Commission (CJOYC).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This is the fourth Commission de la Jeunesse d’Ottawa Youth Commission (CJOYC) annual report to CPS Committee outlining the work CJOYC has done to enhance the youth voice at City Hall.
In December 2005, City Council approved that Child and Youth Friendly Ottawa (CAYFO) create a committee composed entirely of youth to represent the youth voice in Ottawa. The Committee’s role is to engage youth in civic activities and to solicit young people’s views and opinions through a variety of mechanisms and relate these to decision makers at City Hall.
Throughout 2010 City staff worked with staff and youth volunteers from CJOYC to address key priority areas such as transportation, recreation and the environment. The attached CJOYC report for 2010 details key activities associated with the priority areas mentioned above and their outcomes.
Background
In December 2005, Ottawa City Council approved funding
of $29,000 to create a committee composed entirely of youth to represent the
youth voice in Ottawa by soliciting young people’s views and opinions through a
variety of mechanisms and relate these to decision makers at City Hall. In response, the Commission de la Jeunesse
d’Ottawa Youth Commission (CJOYC) was created and launched in May 2006 with the
following objectives:
·
Identify priorities for youth;
·
Strengthen partnerships with the community and
key stakeholders;
·
Build youth networks across issues,
constituencies and geographies;
·
Monitor trends and relevant issues
·
Promote successful practice, celebrate and highlight
accomplishments;
·
Work with adult allies and secure adult
guidance; and
·
Focus on areas such as crime prevention,
recreation, transportation, health, sports, rural issues, housing and
homelessness.
In 2007-2008, CJOYC engaged approximately 1000 youth to find out what issues were important to young people in Ottawa. In 2008-2009, further engagement resulted in the identification of three priority issues:
·
Transportation
·
Recreation
·
The
Environment
In
addition to the priority issues important to youth, CJOYC identified the
following overall outcomes for the 2009-2010 year:
· Increased youth civic engagement in the affairs of the City of Ottawa,
· Increased youth capacity,
· Increased partnership and networking.
On December 3, 2009, CJOYC presented their 2009 Annual
Report and recommendations to Community and Protective Services Committee
(CPSC) (Report ACS2009-COS-ODP 0017). At that
time, CPSC received CJOYC’s recommendations based on their consultations and
outreach specifically directed to City services and Committee directed staff to circulate the recommendations to all relevant branches
within the City.
The
Organizational Development and Performance Department, ODP, as part of its
Client Services Strategies mandate, worked with the youth to ensure CJOYC
achieved its outcomes, by connecting to the right City staff and moving forward
with its recommendations.
On
February 19, 2010, CJOYC’s Annual Report and recommendations were circulated by
staff to General Managers and Directors responsible for Transit Services,
Parks, Recreation and Culture, Community Sustainability and Public Health,
requesting support in reviewing the report recommendations.
In April 2010, City staff circulated to Council a Q1 Progress Report for the Commission de la Jeunesse d’Ottawa Youth Commission (CJOYC) outlining actions taken to assist the Commission to achieve its mandate.
Discussion
This is the fourth report to CPS Committee outlining the accomplishments
of CJOYC in enhancing the youth voice at City Hall. The attached CJOYC report for 2009-2010
details key activities associated with the priority areas mentioned above and
their outcomes.
Below are highlights of the 2010 activities and outcomes contained in the CJOYC report associated with City services and programs.
|
ACTIVITIES |
|
|
|
Increased youth civic engagement in the affairs of the City of Ottawa |
Youth voice represented on targeted community and/or City of Ottawa committees, and other advisory groups including Equity and Inclusion Lens Reference Group, the Youth Action Panel of the United Way and the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Ottawa. Participated on the Parks, Recreation and Culture’s Youth Friendly Community Initiative throughout 2010. CJOYC held their annual Youth Forum with a record 100 youth in attendance, compared to previous years and with increased participation by City staff and members of Council in Oct. 2010. During the Forum, CJOYC youth circulated a video of the Mayoral election debate and held a debate around the issues important to youth. Staff facilitated CJOYC youth representative on the Youth Panel at the Sustainable Cities Biennial conference – Sept. 2010. Ottawa Public Health consulted with CJOYC on new helmet policy and used CJOYC as an information source for local youth to spread awareness. An awareness article will be promoted in the June issue of CJOYC Newsletter, “Youth Chatter” Meeting held with OC Transpo staff in May 2010 and work started on planning for joint communication and information sharing.
Presentation of CJOYC report and recommendations to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee – April 2010. CJOYC youth attended the Choosing Our Future Youth Engagement Reference Group – May 2010. CJOYC representatives presented recommendations with specific emphasis on Transportation and received endorsement from the Transit Advisory Committee (January 21, 2010) as well as presenting to Transit Committee (February 17th, 2010). As a means to strengthen existing and build new relationships, CJOYC hosted a Meet and Greet with City Councillors and City Staff in February 2010. |
|
|
Increased Youth Capacity |
Targeted Youth Commission engagement to francophone, marginalized and new immigrant communities City staff assisted with the translation of a bilingual survey that was developed and available online to continue to engage youth opinion on the youth priorities and issues. Increased tools for youth engagement and social networking such as blogs, newsletters, website, Facebook, Twitter, focus groups; annual conference; workshops and events to enhance tools for youth engagement. Main website for current information including blogs and events www.ottawayouthcommission.wordpress.com Obtained membership on youth steering committee from youth from four Community Development Framework neighbourhoods. New CJOYC volunteer practice which aims to
highlight youth volunteer’s skills and provide them with opportunities to help them develop and
learn new skills. |
|
|
Increased Partnership and Networking |
Attendance at the Choosing Our Future Youth Engagement Reference Group
Facilitation of a focus group and discussion on Civic Participation at 2 local area high schools and Youth Net. CJOYC officially launched “Youth Chatter” on February 25, 2010, a newsletter
available in print and on-line at wwww.ottawayouthcommission.ca targeted for youth.
The purpose of “Youth Chatter” is to share information
about CJOYC, create awareness of CJOYC and the priority issues and
recommendations and highlight the contributions that youth are making in
Ottawa. “Youth Chatter” was published quarterly. The e-newsletter sent to subscribers, City Councillors, community partners and schools in all four school boards. Overall increased attendance and participation in city wide events |
|
Next Steps
During
the later part of 2010 and for 2011, CJOYC has re-focused energies on
developing one concrete area of focus, based on the priorities identified by
youth, in addition to maintaining a commitment to building the overall civic
engagement of youth in City decision making.
The key area of focus for 2011 will be transportation.
In
addition, CJOYC in its report identifies objectives for its work plan moving
forward. Some of these objectives
include:
RURAL IMPLICATIONS
There
are no specific rural implications associated with this report.
CONSULTATION
The youth of the CJOYC were consulted for this report.
LEGAL/RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS
There are no legal/risk management impediments to implementing the recommendations in this report.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
There are no financial implications associated
with this report.
CITY STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
The CJOYC supports the City’s Service Priority – Sustainable, Healthy and Active City - by actively seeking out and engaging youth in the City’s civic affairs. Social inclusion is a key element to a sustainable, healthy and active city.
Document 1 – Commission de
la Jeunesse d’Ottawa Youth Commission Final Report 2010
The City Operations Department will action any direction received as part of consideration of this report.