Item - 2017.AA12.1

The Aboriginal Affairs Committee recommends to the Executive Committee that:

1.  City Council express its support for establishing an Indigenous Affairs Office within the City Manager's Office at the City of Toronto.

2.  City Council refer the new and enhanced request of $0.480 million gross and net for the addition of 4.0 positions to staff the Indigenous Affairs Office and $0.040 million gross and net to retain an external consultant, for a total of $0.520 million gross and net, included in the City Manager's Office 2018 Operating Budget Submission for consideration as part of the 2018 budget process.

3.  City Council request the City Manager to submit funding applications, as appropriate, to federal and provincial governments, to non-profit organizations and to private sector organizations to support the establishment and work of the Indigenous Affairs Office, and authorize the City Manager to enter into such agreements in a form satisfactory to the City Manager and City Solicitor.

4.  City Council, as affirmed by the City's commitment to Aboriginal people to self-determination, direct the City Manager to engage the Aboriginal community on the establishment of an Indigenous Affairs Office at the City of Toronto to ensure that it is designed, developed, and reflective of the Aboriginal community's vision.

The City of Toronto will establish an Indigenous Affairs Office within the City Manager's Office. The Indigenous Affairs Office will report directly to the City Manager, with an administrative reporting relationship to the Director, Equity, Diversity and Human Rights for the purposes of budget, timekeeping and administrative support. In this report, the term 'Indigenous' is used to refer to the First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities.

A survey of City divisions indicates several are engaged in initiatives related to Indigenous affairs and a number have staff positions that are assigned to related portfolios. While the City remains committed to embedding responsibility for Indigenous priorities within divisions, the City recognizes the need for a centralized Indigenous Affairs Office in the City Manager's Office to, among other things:

- strengthen the City's relationship with Indigenous communities;

- develop and implement a reconciliation framework/strategy for the City;

 - support City divisions in the development and implementation of reconciliation initiatives and provision of subject matter expertise, including to support conversations with other orders of government;

- assist in the development of Indigenous cultural competency training and related education for the Toronto Public Service;

- support the Aboriginal Affairs Committee;

- track and report on the City's progress in responding to the eight Truth and Reconciliation Priority Calls to Action adopted by the City;

- ensure that the City's work with Indigenous communities is in accordance with the City's Statement of Commitment to the Aboriginal Communities of Toronto;

- promote Indigenous civic participation and inclusion in the City's decision making processes;

- support Indigenous cultural events at the City; and

- secure funding for Indigenous related initiatives.