3. PROGRESS REPORT – “BRINGING YOUTH IN” – REPORT OF THE OTTAWA YOUTH COMMISSION

RAPPORT D’ÉTAPE – FAIRE INTERVENIR LES JEUNES – RAPPORT DE LA COMMISSION DE LA JEUNESSE D’OTTAWA

Committee RecommendationS

That Council:

1. Receive the Commission de la Jeunesse d’Ottawa Youth Commission (CJOYC) Final Report 2007-2008 attached as Document 1.

2. Receive the recommendations specifically targeted to the City, attached in Document 2, and direct staff to circulate the recommendations to all relevant Branches within the City.

3. Consider the information contained in the report when creating city priorities and undertaking strategic planning.

4. Endorse CJOYC as youth consultation specialists and appeal to them to seek youth input when creating city priorities.

5. Recognize the value of youth participation in city building by actively seeking to engage youth in public policy dialogue.

RecommandationS du Comité

Que le Conseil:

1. prenne connaissance du Rapport final 2007-2008 ci-joint (Document 1) de la Commission de la jeunesse d’Ottawa Youth Commission (CJOYC);

2. prenne connaissance des recommandations ci-jointes (Document 2) qui visent en particulier la Ville, et qu’il indique aux employés municipaux de les transmettre aux directions concernées;

3. tienne compte de l’information contenue dans le rapport dans l’établissement des priorités de la Ville et de la planification stratégique;

4. reconnaisse que la CJOYC fait office de spécialiste en matière de consultation auprès des jeunes et fasse appel à elle en vue d’obtenir l’apport des jeunes dans l’établissement des priorités municipales; et

5. reconnaisse l’importance de la participation des jeunes au développement urbain en les encourageant activement à prendre part aux discussions portant sur les politiques publiques.

Documentation

1. Deputy City Manager's report, City Operations, dated 7 November 2008
(ACS2008-COS-DCM-0010).

2. Extract of Draft Minutes, 20 November 2008.

Report to/Rapport au:

Community and Protective Services Committee

Comité des services communautaires et de protection

and Council/et au Conseil

7 November 2008 / le 7 novembre 2008

Submitted by/Soumis par:

Steve Kanellakos, Deputy City Manager / Directeur municipal adjoint

City Operations / Opérations municipales

Contact Person/Personne ressource:

Steve Kanellakos, Deputy City Manager / Directeur municipal adjoint, City Operations/ Opérations municipales

(613) 580-2424 x, 25654, Steve.Kanellakos@Ottawa.ca

City Wide/à l'échelle de la Ville

Ref N°: ACS2008-COS-DCM-0010

SUBJECT:	PROGRESS REPORT – “BRINGING YOUTH IN” – REPORT OF THE OTTAWA YOUTH COMMISSION

OBJET :	RAPPORT d’étape – faire intervenir les jeunes – rapport de la commission de la jeunesse d’ottawa

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Community and Protective Services Committee recommend that Council:

1. Receive the Commission de la Jeunesse d’Ottawa Youth Commission (CJOYC) Final Report 2007-2008 attached as Document 1.

2. Receive the recommendations specifically targeted to the City, attached in Document 2, and direct staff to circulate the recommendations to all relevant Branches within the City.

3. Consider the information contained in the report when creating city priorities and undertaking strategic planning.

4. Endorse CJOYC as youth consultation specialists and appeal to them to seek youth input when creating city priorities.

5. Recognize the value of youth participation in city building by actively seeking to engage youth in public policy dialogue.

RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT

Le Comité des services communautaires et de protection recommande que le Conseil municipal :

1. prenne connaissance du Rapport final 2007-2008 ci-joint (Document 1) de la Commission de la jeunesse d’Ottawa Youth Commission (CJOYC);

2. prenne connaissance des recommandations ci-jointes (Document 2) qui visent en particulier la Ville, et qu’il indique aux employés municipaux de les transmettre aux directions concernées;

3. tienne compte de l’information contenue dans le rapport dans l’établissement des priorités de la Ville et de la planification stratégique;

5. reconnaisse l’importance de la participation des jeunes au développement urbain en les encourageant activement à prendre part aux discussions portant sur les politiques publiques.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In December 2005, Council approved that Child and Youth Friendly Ottawa (CAYFO) receive $29,000.00 to create a committee composed entirely of youth to represent the youth voice in Ottawa. The new youth committee’s role was to solicit 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;

· Establish a municipal policy platform 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.

This is the second report to CPS Committee highlighting the youth voice through CJOYC. During this past year the Commission focused on three main outcomes and this report speaks to the main successes associated with each of the outcomes:

· Increased youth civic engagement in the affairs of the City of Ottawa;

· Increased youth capacity; and

· Increased partnership and networking.

· Additionally, this report contains the recommendations for action relating to the key issues that were identified in the previous report to Committee and Council. Those issues were:
Transportation

· Negative Image of Youth

· Alcohol and Substance Abuse

· Awareness & Communication with the Community

· Media and Communication

· Crime and Safety

· Recreation

· The Environment

RÉSUMÉ

En décembre 2005, le Conseil municipal a approuvé l’allocation de 29 000 $ au programme « Ottawa : L’amie de la jeunesse » en vue de créer un comité composé entièrement de jeunes représentant la jeunesse d’Ottawa. Ce nouveau comité de jeunes aurait pour mandat de solliciter de diverses façons les opinions et le point de vue des jeunes et d’en faire part aux décideurs de l’hôtel de ville.

Ainsi, la Commission de la jeunesse d’Ottawa Youth Commission (CJOYC) a été instaurée en mai 2006 avec les objectifs suivants :

· déterminer quelles sont les priorités des jeunes;

· établir une plateforme de politique municipale à l’intention des jeunes;

· renforcer les partenariats avec la collectivité et les principaux intervenants;

· établir des réseaux de jeunes en fonction des enjeux, des circonscriptions et des divisions géographiques;

· assurer le suivi des tendances et des enjeux pertinents;

· faire la promotion des pratiques réussies, célébrer et souligner les réalisations;

· collaborer avec les adultes et obtenir leurs conseils; et

· mettre l’accent sur différents thèmes tels que la prévention du crime, les loisirs, le transport, la santé, les sports, les questions rurales, le logement et la question des sans-abri.

Le rapport, qui donne la parole aux jeunes par le biais de la CJOYC, est le second présenté au Comité des services communautaires et de protection. Au cours de cette année, la Commission s’est intéressée à trois principaux objectifs, à savoir (le rapport traite des principales réussites associées à chacun de ces objectifs) :

· favoriser l’engagement civique des jeunes en matière d’affaires municipales;

· augmenter la capacité des jeunes; et

· renforcer les partenariats et le réseautage.

De plus, le rapport contient des recommandations relatives aux mesures à prendre quant aux principaux enjeux cernés dans le rapport qui a été présenté précédemment au Comité et au Conseil. Les enjeux en question sont les suivants :

· Transport

· Image négative des jeunes

· Abus d’alcool ou de drogues

· Sensibilisation de la communauté et communications

· Médias et communications

· Crime et sécurité

· Loisirs

· Environnement

BACKGROUND

In 2001, following extensive deliberations by a planning committee of community leaders, concerned citizens, and youth, City Council approved the establishment of a youth cabinet for City Council.

The Cabinet was to be comprised of young people from all regions of Ottawa who were selected by individual City Councilors. Their mandate was to review municipal matters affecting children and youth.

The Youth Cabinet had a short history, failing to get established, leading to a decision to suspend the work of the Cabinet in December 2004, and to consider alternative models. It was suggested at that time that CAYFO propose a new way to engage youth in matters of civic governance. CAYFO’s proposal to “Bring Youth In” to City Council was adopted in December 2005 with its decision to fund the Ottawa Youth Commission.

DISCUSSION

The attached CJOYC report for 2007 – 2008 summarizes its key activities and associated results, and pinpoints particular recommendations for consideration by Committee and Council.

Achievements associated with each of the three outcomes are summarized in the chart below.

OUTCOME	INDICATORS OF SUCCESS & RESULTS
Increased youth civic engagement in the affairs of the City of Ottawa	· CJOYC represented on City’s Health and Social Services Advisory Committee resulting in youth having a voice at this Committee · The work of the CJOYC has been incorporated into the Children and Youth Agenda resulting in the youth knowing about the Agenda, and their perspectives being reflected in the work of the Agenda · CJOYC conference – ‘Stop Whispering, Start Shouting’ – sessions on Action Planning resulting in youth developing action plans to address concrete issues of importance to them · CJOYC has developed a number of recommendations for action to address the 8 key issues identified in their 2006-2007 report – these are listed in the next section of this report
Increased youth capacity	· Have achieved an increase in the number of youth engaged from a multiplicity of backgrounds – geographical, cultural, socio-economic, ethnic – as a result of: o The production of CJOYC promotional materials such as posters, cards, ‘Be Heard” logo and branding, website and blog, giving CJOYC a much higher profile among youth; and o The participation of 124 youth and 30 youth facilitators at the CJOYC Stop Whispering, Start Shouting Conference. · Also, membership in CJOYC has expanded – increased Executive Committee membership from 8 to 15, and increased community partners from 3 to 10 resulting in CJOYC being more representative and leveraging the talent of its youth · Youth planned and executed the various CJOYC events resulting in skill development in leadership roles, facilitation, and public speaking. · CJOYC held a workshop for organizations on how to engage youth in their workplace resulting in increased capacity by organizations in Ottawa to engage youth · 1,000 youth surveyed (representing 1 % of youth population) through a variety of mechanisms – resulting in a wide diversity of youth’s perspectives represented in the work of CJOYC and their recommendations · CJOYC helped to create a news outlet for youth called FYBY News which is a for youth, by youth news channel dedicated to providing youth with the facts to get involved and take action. FYBY News produces TV-style news segments on a monthly basis, and is currently broadcasting to several Ottawa area high schools (eg of issues: health, environment, global issues and youth in action)
Increased partnership and networking	· 3 e-newsletters to City Councillors and community stakeholders; in-person meetings with City Councillors and a meeting with Mayor O’Brien resulting in increased profile for CJOYC · Media coverage of CJOYC Youth Friendly Workshop and the Stop Whispering, Start Shouting Conference has increased CJOYC’s profile resulting in the community being exposed to positive images of youth, and increasing the desirability for youth to be connected to CJOYC · Increased exposure at community events by making presentations, holding information sessions / booths resulting in an increase in partners and members · CTV News Partnership, CTV Youth Advisory Committee: CJOYC has a partnership with CTV Ottawa, a youth friendly media outlet that comes to CJOYC sponsored youth events. CJOYC also helps recruit youth for the CTV Youth Advisory Committee · CJOYC Partnerships: see pages 17 & 18

The 2006-07 CJOYC report to City Council outlined eight key issues of importance to youth. The focus during 2007-08 was for youth to identify specific recommendations associated with each of the eight issues. The attached CJOYC report contains a full description of the issues and associated recommendations.

The six recommendations specifically targeted to the City of Ottawa are attached as Document 1 and include the areas of: Transportation; Substance Abuse; Awareness and Communications; Crime and Safety; Recreation, and; the Environment.

CONSULTATION

CJOYC achieved their goal of engaging approximately 1,000 young people in their work over the past year via on-line surveys, in-person focus groups, conference and workshops. This represents 1% of the young people in the City of Ottawa.

Every effort was made to ensure that a wide range of youth from various ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds were included as well as youth from the various geographic regions of the city.

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.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Document 1 - Commission de la Jeunesse d’Ottawa Youth Commission Final Report 2007-2008.

Document 2 - Recommendations impacting the City of Ottawa

DISPOSITION

The City Operations Department will action any direction received as part of consideration of this report.

PROGRESS REPORT – “BRINGING YOUTH IN” – REPORT OF THE OTTAWA YOUTH COMMISSION

RAPPORT D’ÉTAPE – FAIRE INTERVENIR LES JEUNES – RAPPORT DE LA COMMISSION DE LA JEUNESSE D’OTTAWA

ACS2008-COS-DCM-0010 CITY WIDE / À L'ÉCHELLE DE LA VILLE

Ms. Samira Ahmed from the Commission de la Jeunesse d’Ottawa Youth Commission introduced herself and fellow presenters, Mr. David Tucker and Mr. Aman Wadhwani. She gave a brief summary of their presentation and the aims of their organization. She stated that they provide a voice for youth in Ottawa and serve as a connector to City Council. A copy of their PowerPoint presentation is held on file with the City Clerk’s office.

Following the presentation they responded to the following questions.

Councillor Leadman inquired on the age group that CJOYC represented. Ms. Ahmed responded by saying that the typical age was 13 to 24 years of age and what formed the membership of the committee.

In response to Councillor Leadman’s question on the role of the CJOYC in various communities and their message Ms. Ahmed stated that the way they operate is that they go into the community and conduct focus and surveys with different populations. For example they will go into high schools and do focus groups within civics and career classes and various community organizations and conferences and engage a diverse group of people. This would also include Community Health Centres but try to reach as broad a population as possible.

Councillor Leadman noted that they represent an age group of 13 to 18 where there is quite a gap in services provided and asked if they have made recommendations with regards to the services that could be provided to this age group.

Ms. Ahmed stated that they have not addressed the specific services being provided but have targeted areas such as OC Transpo since it was most tangible. They have tried to provide feedback to the Councillors on various services that affect the youth of Ottawa.

Councillor Cullen thanked the presenters for their presentation. He said to answer the question they posed on what they want the youth to do, it must be realized that the youth compete for the attention of Councillors and Council with a wide variety of groups and issue in the City of Ottawa, therefore, don’t wait for Councillors to call them, instead make appointments to come in and speak with them individually.

The initiative must be on them to seek out Council. He said their issue is important but come show the Councillors how to engage. Politics responds to demands he stated and thanked the presenters for coming and making the effort.

Chair Deans thanked the group for coming and making their presentation and stated that she had attended one of their meetings at their request and she is sure other Councillors would be pleased to do the same.

That the Community and Protective Services Committee recommend that Council:

1. Receive the Commission de la Jeunesse d’Ottawa Youth Commission (CJOYC) Final Report 2007-2008 attached as Document 1.

2. Receive the recommendations specifically targeted to the City, attached in Document 2, and direct staff to circulate the recommendations to all relevant Branches within the City.

3. Consider the information contained in the report when creating city priorities and undertaking strategic planning.

4. Endorse CJOYC as youth consultation specialists and appeal to them to seek youth input when creating city priorities.

5. Recognize the value of youth participation in city building by actively seeking to engage youth in public policy dialogue.

CARRIED

Report to/Rapport au:

SUBJECT:

OBJET :

DISCUSSION

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

DISPOSITION

DOCUMENT 2

RECOMMENDATIONS IMPACTING THE CITY OF OTTAWA