Item - 2017.CD22.12

The Community Development and Recreation Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council direct that the confidential information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (August 17, 2017) from the Fire Chief and General Manager, Fire Services remain confidential in its entirety, as it relates to personal matters about identifiable individuals, including municipal or local board employees.

The Community Development and Recreation Committee:

1.  Requested the Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services to report to the Community Development and Recreation Committee with similar data for the next recruitment classes and to report, as possible, on disaggregated data for:

a.  Toronto residency; and

b.  representation of black applicants, in alignment with the Anti-Black Racism Strategy.

2.  Requested the Fire Chief and General Manager, Toronto Fire Services to report directly to City Council with the disaggregated data for Toronto residency for the class of 2017-01.

This report responds to a request from the Community Development and Recreation Committee for the Fire Chief and General Manager, Fire Services to provide detailed information about the representation of members of designated groups in the most recent Toronto Fire Services (TFS) Operations Recruit Class.

Since 2015, Human Resources (HR) has been collecting data from applicants entering into the Toronto Fire Services Operations Firefighter recruitment process. Applicants complete a Pre-Screening Questionnaire (PSQ) that forms part of the online application process for Toronto Fire Services positions. The Pre-Screening Questionnaire provides applicants with the opportunity to voluntarily self-identify as members of Designated Groups.

The most recent Toronto Fire Services Operations Recruit Class (2017-01 which graduated in June 15, 2017) is the most diverse recruit class in Toronto Fire Services history, with 20 of the 42 newly recruited Operations Firefighters (48 per cent) self-identifying as being members of a Designated Group. Designated Groups include those who identify as being female, Aboriginal, persons with disabilities and members of racialized/visible minorities.

Toronto Fire Services has consulted with the Equity, Diversity and Human Rights Division (EDHR) and the City Clerk's Office and confirmed that to ensure the confidentiality of applicants and recruits, statistics are only to be reported in aggregates of 10 or more.

At the request of the Community Development and Recreation Committee, disaggregated data is provided in Confidential Attachment 1 - Detailed hiring information for designated groups: Toronto Fire Services Operations Firefighter Recruit Class 2017-01.