Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Committee of the Whole of Senate Appearance on Systemic Racism June 25, 2020

Table of contents

ESDC

  1. Reaching Home’s impact on Indigenous and Racialized Canadians, specifically its indigenous streams and any other funding it provides for programming aimed at specific groups of racialized Canadians
  2. Accessibility of Service Canada services to Indigenous peoples and racialized Canadians
  3. Access and up-take of the CCB on-Reserve and measures ESDC has taken to ensure eligible Indigenous peoples claim the CCB
  4. Update on the Anti-Poverty Strategy and its impact on racialized Canadians
  5. Black Community Funding ($25m capacity fund + any other programs)
  6. Employment Equity and diversity measures and initiatives at ESDC and Service Canada to ensure an equitable and diverse working environment
  7. Bill S-217
  8. Service Canada materials on outreach to at risk communities
  9. Data on eservices launched (the one with call back dealing with 70% of the volume we normally get)
  10. Labour force survey data on who is getting the CERB

1. Subject - Reaching home: Canada’s homelessness strategy

Issue

What is the Government of Canada doing to address Indigenous homelessness?

Key facts

Response

Background

Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy is a community-based program that provides direct financial support to Designated Communities (urban centres), as well as Indigenous and rural and remote communities across Canada to support their efforts in addressing homelessness. Following a comprehensive community planning process, communities determine their own priorities, and develop local solutions. Reaching Home replaced the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS) on April 1, 2019.

Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy supports the goals of Canada’s National Housing Strategy, including the reduction of chronic homelessness by 50% by 2027–2028.

Reaching Home funding streams (2019 to 2025)

Regionally-delivered funding streams

Designated Communities: this stream funds projects in urban centres identified as having a significant problem with homelessness.

Rural and Remote Homelessness: this stream funds projects in non-designated communities in rural and remote areas of the country.

Indigenous Homelessness: this stream provides funding, primarily targeted to Indigenous service providers, to address the specific needs of Indigenous people living off reserve who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness.

Territorial Homelessness: this stream provides funding to communities in the territories to address the unique challenges in the North.

Nationally-delivered funding streams

Community Capacity and Innovation: this stream supports communities with implementation of coordinated access systems and the provision of training and technical assistance.

Distinctions-Based: this funding is for priorities determined in collaboration with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners. A portion of this funding has been earmarked for Modern Treaty holders.

Key components

Moving to an Outcomes-Based Approach: under Reaching Home, the Government is working with communities to develop and deliver data-driven system plans with clear outcomes. The new outcomes-based approach will give communities greater flexibility to address local priorities, including homelessness prevention, and programming designed to meet the needs of vulnerable populations (for example, youth, women and children fleeing violence, and veterans). To track the progress being made by communities in their effort to prevent and reduce homelessness, communities will be asked to report publicly on community-wide outcomes.

Introducing Coordinated Access: Designated Communities are required to implement Coordinated Access, by March 31, 2022. The goal of Coordinated Access is to help communities achieve community-wide outcomes by ensuring fairness, prioritizing people most in need of assistance, and matching individuals to appropriate housing and services in a more streamlined and coordinated way.

Reaching Home in Quebec

In Quebec, Reaching Home is delivered through Canada-Quebec agreements that respect the jurisdictions and priorities of the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec in preventing and reducing homelessness.

The Designated Communities (DC), the Rural and Remote Homelessness (RRH) and the Community Capacity and Innovation (CCI) streams are covered by the RH Agreement. The CCI stream is covered by a specific agreement for the years 2019-2021 (CCI Agreement).

The Aboriginal Homelessness funding stream is not covered by these Agreements. It is administrated by the Service Canada regional office in Quebec.

A Joint Management Committee composed of representatives from both governments serve as an official forum for policy decisions and discussions on all topics related to the 2 agreements.

The implementation model proposed in the RH Agreement promotes greater agility to support communities in consolidating services provided in Quebec to prevent and reduce homelessness. This implementation model is similar to the community entity model used by Reaching Home elsewhere in the country.

The Quebec Centres intégrés (universitaires) de santé et de services sociaux (CISSS/CIUSSS) are responsible for coordinating activities for their respective regions, including: the development of community plans, calls for proposals and the selection of projects. Starting in 2021, the CISSS/CIUSSS will also be responsible for coordinating and administering the DC and the RRH funding streams for their region.

Key stats on homelessness in Canada

According to Employment and Social Development Canada’s National Shelter Study, the number of shelter users decreased from 156,000 in 2005 to 129,000 in 2016. This decline is mainly due to a decrease in the number of shelter users between the ages of 25 and 49. Despite a decrease in shelter users, occupancy rates have increased since 2005 due to longer shelter stays, especially among older adults, seniors and families, and have consistently remained above 90% since 2012. Other key facts from the National Shelter Study include:

Results from the 2018 Coordinated Point-in-Time Count show that in the 61 participating communities, 60% of the people that were homeless on the night of the count had been homeless for six or more months during the previous year.

Additionally, key demographic findings show that:

Homelessness Partnering Strategy results (2014 to 2019)

Between April 2014 and March 2019, Reaching Home’s predecessor, the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, demonstrated considerable success, including:

Prepared by

Scott Hayhow

Policy Analyst

Key contact

Janet Gwilliam

A/Director

819-654-7138

Approved by

Kris Johnson

Director General, Homelessness Policy Directorate

819-654-8798

Date

Date approved

June 23, 2020

2. Subject - Systemic racism and discrimination in Canada

Issue

How is the government ensuring accessibility of service Canada services to indigenous peoples and racialized Canadians?

Key facts

Response

Background

Key quotes

Ministers quotes / Quotes by key stakeholders.

3. Subject - Access and up-take of the CCB on-reserve

Issue

What measures has ESDC taken to ensure up-take of the CCB on-reserve?

Key facts

Response

Background

Key quotes

Ministers quotes / Quotes by key stakeholders.

4. Subject - Poverty reduction strategy

Issue

Update on Canadian Poverty Reduction Strategy and Impact on Racialized Canadians.

Response

 If pressed:

Key facts

Background

The targets are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Prepared by

Thomas Glen

Social Development Policy

Key Contact

Expert-conseil

Hugues Vaillancourt

Senior Director

Social Policy Directorate

819-271-6795 (cell)

Approved by

Approuvé par

Karen Hall

Director General

819-664-4899 (cell)

Date

June 23, 2020

5. Subject - Capacity building in black Canadian communities

Issue

An investment of $25M over five years to build capacity in Black Canadian communities was announced in Budget 2019.

Key facts

Response

Background

Citations / Key quotes

Ministers quotes / Quotes by key stakeholders.

Canadian Labour Congress.

“The Congress highlighted other positive announcements in today’s federal budget, including…Funding to support a new anti-racism strategy, funding for LGBTQ2+ organizations and establishment of an LGBTQ2+ Secretariat, Gender Equality funding to expand the Women’s Program and funds for Black Canadian communities.” (News Release, 19 March 2019)

Prepared by

Heather Meek

Analyst, Social Programs

819-654-8031

Key contact

Susan MacPhee

Director, Social Programs

819-654-6164

Approved by

Monika Bertrand

Director General

613-315-4598

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO

6. Employment Equity and diversity measures and initiatives at ESDC and Service Canada to ensure an equitable and diverse working environment

Issue

L’EDSC s’engage à avoir une main-d'œuvre représentative des Canadiens qu'elle sert et à favoriser un environnement de travail équitable et diversifié. / ESDC is committed to having a workforce that is representative of the Canadians it serves and to fostering an equitable and diverse working environment.

Response

Key facts

Prepared by

Todd Burke

Director

873-396-0790

Key contact

Kim Tondino Gauthier

Manager

819-665-3584

Approved by

Vicki Cunliffe

Director General

819-654-6812

Date

Date approved in SADMO / COO

XX-06-2020

7. Subject - A national children’s commissioner in Canada

Issue

A federal children’s commissioner.

Key facts

Response

Background

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is an international human rights instrument that outlines the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of children. The UNCRC is the first legally binding international instrument to protect the full range of human rights of children under the age of 18. The federal, provincial and territorial governments are all responsible for the implementation of the UNCRC. Canada reports to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, the body charged with monitoring States’ compliance with the UNCRC.

The issue of establishing a national children’s commissioner has been proposed and debated numerous times since Canada signed and ratified the UNCRC in 1990 and 1991 respectively. A children’s commissioner has been called for in private members bills, by Senate committees, and by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.

A Senate Delayed Answer was prepared for a question raised by the Hon. Senator Munson on December 11, 2019, inquiring if the creation of a Children’s Commissioner was a goal of this government. The Senate Delayed Answer indicated that a member with particular responsibilities for children had been named as part of the legislated National Advisory Council on Poverty. The member will ensure that children’s interests are taken into consideration as the Council engages with Canadians on poverty, advises on a broad range of programs and services regarding poverty reduction, and publicly reports on progress being made to meet the government’s poverty reduction targets. The member responsible for children’s issue provides a focal point for continued progress on reducing children’s and youth’s poverty in Canada.

On June 16, 2020, the Honourable Senator Rosemary Moodie sponsored PMB S-217, Commissioner for Children and Youth in Canada Act. The role of the independent Commissioner for Children and Youth in Canada would be to promote, monitor and report on the implementation of Canada’s obligations under the Convention and to advance the rights of children and youth in Canada. Though the Office of the Commissioner would not deal with specific local issues, it would serve as a liaison between local authorities and the federal government.

Numerous stakeholders, including UNICEF Canada, Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children, The Canadian Paediatric Society, and Children First Canada have echoed the recommendation for establishing a Children’s Commissioner.

Several mechanisms already exist to facilitate the coordination of children’s rights and well-being across Canada, including:

On January 1, 2020, the Act respecting First Nation, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families came into force. The Act affirms the rights of Indigenous governments and organizations to exercise jurisdiction over First Nation Inuit and Métis child and family services and allows communities to determine how it will exercise jurisdiction. Existing child and family services agencies will continue to provide services to Indigenous children. The Act also establishes national principles including best interests of the child, cultural continuity, and substantive equality to guide the interpretation and administration of the Act and contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The Government has also established Canada’s first-ever youth policy to ensure that youth voices across Canada are heard and to guide Government’s priorities and actions. Starting in 2020 and every four years thereafter, the Government will release a report highlighting the state of youth in Canada and Government’s initiatives across six priority areas: Leadership and Impact; Health and Wellness; Innovation, Skills and Learning; Employment; Truth and Reconciliation; and Environment and Climate Action.

The Prime Minister’s Youth Council has also been established to provide non-partisan advice to the Prime Minister and the Government on issues of importance to them and to all Canadians.

Key quotes

Ministers quotes/Quotes by key stakeholders.

Prepared by

Cyrus Sie

Families and Care Policy Division

873-396-3048

Key contact

Elizabeth Allen

Director, Families and Care Policy Division

873-396-1183

Approved by

Karen Hall

Director General, Social Policy Directorate

819-664-4899

Date

June 23, 2020

8. Subject - Service Canada materials on outreach to at risk communities

Issue

What materials and service tools are available to support outreach to at-risk communities?

Key facts

Response

Background

Key quotes

Ministers quotes / Quotes by key stakeholders.

9. Subject - New eServiceCanada channel serves Canadians during COVID-19

Issue

Service Canada closed its Service Canada Centres on March 27. At the same time, a new eServiceCanada channel was launched to ensure continued service to Canadians.

Key facts

Our priority is the health and safety of all Canadians, while maintaining service to the public.

On March 27th, 2020, Service Canada closed its Service Canada Centres and put in place a new eServiceCanada channel to ensure continued access to service by Canadians.

The new online eService mirrors the services available to clients who usually come into a Service Canada Centre.

As of June 22, 2020, Service Canada Centre staff received 643,211 online service requests.

Response

On March 27, 2020, Service Canada closed its in-person Service Canada Centres, to protect the health and safety of all Canadians, and put in place a new eServiceCanada channel to ensure continued access to critical services and benefits by Canadians.

If a client requires further support and assistance to access critical benefits, help is available through an online eService request. A Service Canada officer will call them within two business days and will provide personalized service.

Since the launch of the service in March, there have been 643,211 eService requests, demonstrating a hugely positive response by clients to the new service.

A toll-free contact centre is also available to support vulnerable clients who cannot reliably access the internet and Service Canada eService. As of June 22, 10,390 calls have been received.

These measures will ensure we get Canadians the benefits they need when they need them most.

Background

We closed all Service Canada Centres to the public on March 27, 2020, to help maintain the health and safety of all Canadians in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, closing these centres allowed us to better apply existing capacity to providing critical services for vulnerable clients through alternative means.

At the same time the Service Canada Centres were closed, a new approach to service delivery was launched. Through eServiceCanada, clients can request help online and are then contacted by telephone by a Citizen Service Officer (CSO) within two business days. This online/callback service enables the continued delivery of critical services while protecting the health of clients and employees during the COVID-19 crisis.

Clients with internet access who require assistance in applying for benefits are able to reach staff through an online service request form at canada.ca/service-canada-e-service. Once clients fill out the service request form, a Service Canada Centre employee will call clients within 2 business days.

In addition to the Service Canada Centre closures, outreach services to communities was suspended. On April 14, 2020, a new outreach support centre was launched. The centre supplements the new eServiceCanada portal by giving communities without internet and clients with other barriers a way to connect directly with outreach officers, and access critical services and benefits. As of June 22, 2020, 10,390 calls were received.

Outreach staff have contacted 8,549 communities and trusted partners across the country to make them aware of eServiceCanada and the Outreach Support Centre, and to encourage them to share the contact information with their members and clients.

10. Subject - Labour force survey data on who applied to the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit

Issue

Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey (LFS) provides demographic and labour force status information on Canadians who have applied to the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) or the Employment Insurance (EI) benefits. The May survey asked if members of their household had applied for the CERB or for EI regular benefits between March 15, 2020 and the day of their interview with Statistics Canada, which was conducted during the 10-day period on May 17 to 26. However, while the LFS currently provides a monthly labour market picture for many demographic groups, there are data gaps for some groups, such as visible minorities and persons with disabilities.

Response

Background

Key facts

Prepared by

Martin Charron,

Acting manager

819-500-3183

Key Contact

Martin Charron,

Acting manager

819-500-3183

Approved by

Louis Morel

Director General

343-549-0570

Date

June 23th, 2020

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