Governance, Communications and Human Resources Committee (GCHRC) - November 27, 2020

Public Agenda

10:15 - Chair’s Remarks

Action: Information

Pre-read: Verbal Report

Presenter: Chair

10:20 - Consent agenda

Approval of Public Meeting Agenda

Action: GCHRC Approval

Pre-read: Agenda

Presenter: Chair

Chair’s Poll re: Conflict of Interest

Action: Declaration

Pre-read: Agenda and Conflict of Interest Policy

Presenter: Chair

Confirmation of the Public Meeting Minutes of September 9, 2020

Action: GCHRC Approval

Pre-read: Minutes

Presenter: Chair

10:25 - Business Arising from the Public Meeting Minutes and Action Items Update

Action: Information

Pre-read: Action Item List

Presenter: Chair

10:30 - City Council Directions Requiring Board Attention

Action: Information

Pre-read: GCHRC:2020-33

Presenter: Director, Strategic Planning & Stakeholder Relations

10:35 - 2020 Board Evaluation Results

Action: Information

Pre-read: GCHRC:2020-34

Presenter: General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

10:55 - Update on Professional Standards Unit

Action: Information

Pre-read: GCHRC:2020-29

Presenter: General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

TERMINATION

Public Meeting Minutes

The Governance, Communications and Human Resources Committee (“GCHRC”) of the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (“TCHC”) held a virtual Public meeting on November 27, 2020, via WebEx, commencing at 10:55 a.m.

GCHRC Directors Present:

Brian Smith, Chair

John Campbell

Debbie Douglas

Ubah Farah

Councillor Paula Fletcher

GCHRC Directors Absent:

N/A

Management Present:

Kevin Marshman, President & Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”)

Sheila Penny, Chief Operating Officer (“COO”)

Darragh Meagher, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

Lindsay Viets, Director, Strategic Planning & Stakeholder Relations

Minh Toan, Business Planner, Stakeholder Relations 

Ceilidh Wilson, Assistant Corporate Secretary

A quorum being present, Mr. Smith, serving as Chair, called the meeting to order, and Ms. Wilson served as recording secretary.

Item 1 - Chair's Remarks

The Chair welcomed everyone to the GCHRC meeting, noted the Acknowledgement of the Land and notified everyone that due to the need for social distancing to limit the spread of COVID-19, TCHC’s holding this GCHRC meeting virtually.

COVID-19 Update

TCHC’s COVID-19 response is now in its eighth month, and the Chair thanked employees for the exemplary work they are doing to deliver essential services and support TCHC tenants. 

Many of TCHC’s communities are among the hardest hit by the virus, and employees have stepped up to support tenants who are self-isolating and help agencies deliver food and other essentials to seniors and vulnerable tenants.

In particular, the Chair recognized the contributions of staff who work in TCHC buildings. Given the resurgence of COVID-19 cases, TCHC’s maintaining the extended 10-hour shift schedules that are enabling TCHC to deliver enhanced cleaning protocols that are preventing the spread of the virus and keeping people safe. 

Lastly, the Chair thanked everyone at the company for setting a good example by following public health advice at work and at home. 

Item 2A - Approval of Public Meeting Agenda

Motion Carried

ON MOTION DULY MADE by Mr. Campbell, seconded by Ms. Farah and carried, the GCHRC approved the Public meeting agenda for the GCHRC’s November 27, 2020.

Item 2B - Chair’s Poll re: Conflict of Interest

The Chair requested members of the GCHRC to indicate any agenda item in which they had a conflict of interest, together with the nature of the interest. No conflicts were declared.

Item 2C - Confirmation of the Public Meeting Minutes of September 9, 2020

Motion Carried

ON MOTION DULY MADE by Mr. Campbell, seconded by Ms. Farah and carried, the GCHRC confirmed the above-captioned minutes without amendments.

Item 3 - Business Arising from the Public Meeting Minutes and Action Items Update

Motion Carried

ON MOTION DULY MADE by Mr. Campbell, seconded by Ms. Farah and carried, the GCHRC received the matters reported as Business Arising from the Public Meeting Minutes and Action Items Update for its information.

Item 4 - City Council Directions Requiring Board Attention, GCHRC:2020-33

The above-captioned report (GCHRC:2020-33) was circulated to GCHRC members prior to the meeting. 

Ms. Viets was available to answer questions of the GCHRC. 

Motion carried

ON MOTION DULY MADE by Councillor Fletcher, seconded by Mr. Campbell and carried, the GCHRC received the information contained in Report GCHRC:2020-33 for its information.

Item 5 - 2020 Board Evaluation Results, GCHRC:2020-34

The above-captioned report (GCHRC:2020-34) was circulated to GCHRC members prior to the meeting. 

Mr. Meagher was available to answer questions of the GCHRC. Highlights of the discussion include:

• The Chair, GCHRC will be having discussions with the Institute of Corporate Directors (“ICD”) to seek advice for improving governance practices. It was recommended that the Chair also have conversations with the City Manager’s office on this matter.
• There are no glaring concerns in the Board evaluation results.

Motion carried

ON MOTION DULY MADE by Mr. Campbell, seconded by Ms. Farah and carried, the GCHRC received the information contained in Report GCHRC:2020-34, and forwarded it to the Board of Directors for information and discussion.

Item 6 - Update on Professional Standards Unit, GCHRC:2020-29

The above-captioned report (GCHRC:2020-29) was circulated to GCHRC members prior to the meeting. 

Mr. Meagher was available to answer questions of the GCHRC. Highlights of the discussion include:

• This report arises out of the recommendations the Board approved in response to the Rubin Thomlinson (“RT”) report. 
• This report provides a contextual view of the manner in which other City organizations conduct workplace investigations; it does not make any recommendations for what TCHC should do.
• It was suggested that command structure organizations should not be used as a reference point for TCHC.
• Action item: Management to bring the professional standards unit matter back to the GCHRC for discussion in early 2021.

Motion carried

ON MOTION DULY MADE by Councillor Fletcher, seconded by Mr. Campbell and carried, the GCHRC received the information contained in Report GCHRC:2020-29 for its information.

TERMINATION

The public meeting terminated at 11:20 a.m.