AGENDA

THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE

PUBLIC SESSION
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2006
7:00 P.M.

1. Prayer.

2. Roll Call and Apologies.

3. Approval of the Agenda

4. Declarations of Interest.

5. Approval and Signing of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held January 18, 2006 for PUBLIC SESSION p.1-p.10.

6. Presentations:

7. Delegations:

a) Bill Chandler, representing the CSAC of St. Agatha Catholic School, regarding the need for a new facility.

b) Eleanor Dabarp, CSAC Chair of St. Edward Catholic School, regarding a Milk Vending Machine for the school.

8. Trustee Matters:

9. Unfinished Business:

10. Matters recommended by Sub-Committees requiring Committee approval.

11. Matters referred/deferred to this Committee by the Board and other Committees.

12. Reports of Officials and Special Committees for ACTION of the Board.

a) Report regarding Recommendation Resulting from the Investigation into the Death of Allyceea Ennis p.11-p.13.

1. That resulting from the investigation into the death of Allyceea Ennis, the Board requests that the Ministry of Education take into consideration the Chief Coroner’s recommendations when developing the new transportation funding formula.

2. That OCSTA be requested to endorse this position.

b) Report regarding Anaphylaxis Policy p.14-p.17.

That the Board approve Anaphylaxis Policy S.M. 15 as follows:
Policy:

A significant number of students are coming to the school system with anaphylaxis. When exposed to an allergen to which they have sensitivity, these students will have a severe and potentially life threatening allergic reaction. It is the policy of TCDSB to create allergen-aware environments in our schools and workplaces. In order to protect the health and safety of our students and staff, the TCDSB will develop Regulations and Administrative Procedures which will comply with Sabrina’s Law, 2005, S.O. 2005, Chapter 7.

Regulations:

The procedures and guidelines for the implementation of this policy shall include the following:

1. Strategies that reduce the risk of exposure to anaphylactic causative agents in classrooms and common school areas.

2. A communication plan for the dissemination of information on life-threatening allergies to parents, pupils and employees.

3. Regular training on dealing with life-threatening allergies for all employees and other who are in direct contact with pupils on regular basis.

4. A requirement that every school principal develop an individual plan for each student who has an anaphylactic allergy.

5. A requirement that every school principal maintain a file for each anaphylactic pupil of current treatment and other information, including a copy of any prescriptions and instructions from the pupil’s physician or nurse and a current emergency contact list.

6. A requirement that every school principal review the current TCDSB Anaphylaxis Policy/Protocol and Guidelines with school staff upon appointment and regularly as recommended in the document.

c) Report regarding Sweatshop Free Uniform Purchasing Policy p.18-p.41.

That the Board affirm support for Policy F.P. 04 Sweatshop Free Purchasing as follows:

Policy:

In keeping with its commitment to reflect Christian values to abide by the Social Teaching of the Church and its own Mission and Vision Statement, the Toronto Catholic District School Board is committed to promote, advance and protect the just cause of the poor and the marginalized.

Regulations:

1. To ensure that any agreement to purchase from, or to issue an exclusive license agreement with a supplier of school apparel ( school and physical education uniforms) includes assurances prior to the execution of any school apparel contract that the apparel was and will continue, for the life of the contract to be procured in keeping with the provisions and procurement requirements of the Suppliers Fair Labour Practices Agreement ( Appendix A), a supplier must sign the Suppliers Fair Labour Practices Agreement before any Toronto Catholic District School Board school will place any orders.

2. There will be a Sweatshop Free Advisory Committee comprised of trustees, students, teachers, parents and superintendents whose membership is at the direction of the Board.

3. The committee will meet with suppliers as a group twice a year.

SUPPLIERS FAIR LABOUR PRACTICES AGREEMENT

For any agreement or licence to be valid between the Toronto Catholic District School Board or its schools and a supplier/licensee for the supply of school apparel (school and physical education uniforms), the supplier/licensee must agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions:

The supplier/licensee:

Agrees to disclose to the Director or his/her designate prior to any contract/licence agreement being signed or renewed, the address and contact information of factories, servants, agents or suppliers where the apparel is produced .

Agrees to ensure that the apparel is manufactured under safe and healthy conditions and, at a minimum, in accordance with the local labour laws and standards of the "International Labour Organization" (ILO), whichever is higher as referenced in Appendix B.

Agrees to submit an annual compliance report to the Board containing information on their monitoring and verifications programs. The names of any independent third-party verifier(s), the findings of the monitoring and audit (s) and correction action taken to achieve compliance with the Policy are considered a part of this compliance report.

Hereby warrants, represents and agrees that it, and any of its factories, servants, agents or suppliers will, at all times during the term of this agreement and any extended term, comply with and adhere to all of the stated provisions of this Agreement. Any changes in the factories, servants, agents or suppliers will be reported forthwith to the Board.

Agrees that a breach of any provision, or failure to reasonably satisfy the Board that the supplier continues to adhere to these provisions , the supplier must commit to address the concerns or to cease doing business with that factory. During the term of this agreement (or any extended term) will entitle the Board in its sole and absolute discretion, to provide written notice of termination of this agreement effective forthwith if a supplier continues to use that factory to supply TCDSB schools. Notwithstanding said written notice of termination, the supplier shall complete all existing orders with parents of the school but shall not accept or solicit any further orders from parents of the school after receipt of written notice of termination.

Safe, Just and Healthy Employment Standards

Preamble

Designed as an accompaniment to the "Toronto Catholic District School Board's Sweatshop Free Purchasing Policy ", the "Safe, Just and Healthy Employment Standards" is a practical application of Christ's values, the Social Teaching of the Church, and the Board’s own Mission and Vision statement. This document shall allow the Toronto Catholic District School

Board to demonstrate its commitment to promote, advance and protect the just cause of the poor and marginalized. Provided ILO core labour standards are met, nothing in this Code is intended to pre-empt or override standards that are set by a process of collective bargaining by independent unions and associations of the workers' choice. Therefore, apparel suppliers and both their subcontractor and manufacturing facilities are expected to uphold the following standards as based on relevant ILO conventions and in following the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

While the scope of application is currently restricted to only school uniforms and physical education uniforms purchased within the Board, it is the intention that all suppliers, licensees, contractors and subcontractors be aware of this Code and strives to follow it. For suppliers and subcontractors not currently included in the scope of this Code, the Toronto Catholic District School board encourages voluntary disclosure of factory/business locations and working conditions.

Definitions

The term Board shall apply to The Toronto Catholic District School Board and its agent(s).

The term Child means any person less than 15 (or 14 should the developing country be exempt under the ILO Minimum Age Convention ⁵), unless local laws stipulate a higher age for work or mandatory schooling, in which case the higher age shall apply.

For purposes of this Code, the term Supplier refers to those entering into purchasing contracts with the board, including contractors and manufacturers.

The term Apparel refers only to school uniforms and physical education uniforms.

The term Subcontractor shall include those that have not entered into a relationship with the Board but provide services or produce products or components of products to be used, purchased, or distributed to or by Board Suppliers.

Employment Standards

In keeping with its commitment to respect internationally recognized workers' rights and labour standards, to apply with applicable laws and to

fulfill its social responsibilities, The Toronto Catholic District School Board requires all suppliers and subcontractors involved in the production and/or distribution of apparel to ensure that:

1. Local Labour Laws

i. All local labour laws must be followed. Such compliance includes compliance with all applicable environmental standards. Where local labour laws and the standards below differ, the higher standard shall prevail.

2. Forced Labour ^{2, 3}

i. There shall not be any use of forced prison labour, indentured labour, bonded labour or other forced labour.

ii. Workers are not required to lodge deposits (financial or o therwise) or their identity papers with their employer and are free to leave their employer after reasonable notice.⁴

3. Child Labour ^{5, 6}

i. There shall be no use of child labour.

ii. Adequate transitional economic assistance, appropriate educational opportunities, a strict limitation of hours spent at work in a day and in a week, prohibition of overtime, and adequate time for work and study shall be provided to any displaced child workers to enable such children to attend and remain in school until no longer a child. ⁷

iii. Workers under the age of 18 shall not be exposed to
situations in or outside the workplace that are hazardous,
unsafe, unhealthy, or may affect the moral well-being of
the worker consistent with ILO Conventions 138 and 182
(Minimum Age Convention and the Worst Forms of Child
Labour Convention).

4. Harassment or Abuse

i. Every employee shall be treated with dignity and respect. No
employee shall be threatened by or subject to any physical,
sexual, psychological, or verbal harassment or abuse. All
cases of discipline shall be thoroughly documented with no
form of corporal punishment being tolerated.

5. Non-discrimination ^{8, 9}

i. No person shall be subject to any discrimination in
employment, including hiring, salary, benefits, advancement,
discipline, termination or retirement, on the basis of gender,
race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, national

origin, political opinion or affiliation, union activity, social or
ethnic origin.

6. Hours of Work

i. Hours of work shall comply with applicable laws and industry standards on working hours.

ii. In any event, personnel shall not be required to work in excess of 48 hours per week and shall be provided at least one day off for every seven day period.

iii. Overtime work (work exceeding 48 hours per week) shall be voluntary, shall not exceed 12 hours per employee per week, will not be requested other than in exceptional and short-term business circumstances, and will always be remunerated at a premium rate.

7. Collective Bargaining and Freedom of Association ^{10, 11, 12}

i. Workers, without distinction, have the right to join or form trade unions of their own choosing and to bargain collectively.

ii. No employee shall be subject to harassment, intimidation or retaliation in his or her efforts to associate freely or bargain collectively.

8. Wages and Other Compensation

i. Wages and benefits paid for a standard working week meet, at a minimum, national legal standards or industry benchmark standards, whichever is higher.

ii. In any event wages paid for a standard working week should always be enough to meet basic needs of workers and their families and to provide some discretionary income.

9. Health and Safety ¹³

i. A safe hygienic working environment shall be provided, bearing in mind the prevailing knowledge of the industry and of any specific hazards.

ii. Access to clean toilet facilities and to potable water and, if appropriate, sanitary facilities for food storage shall be provided. Accommodation, where provided, shall be clean, safe and meet the basic needs of the workers.

10. Employment Relationship ^4,7

i. To every extent possible work performed shall be on the basis of a recognized employment relationship established through national law and practice.

ii. Obligations of employers under labour and social security laws and regulations arising from the regular employment relationship shall not be avoided through the use of labour-only contracting including home-worker and subcontracting arrangements, or through apprenticeship schemes where there is no real intent to impart skills or provide regular employment, nor shall any such obligations be avoided through the excessive use of fixed-term contracts of employment.⁴

11. Reproductive Rights

i. No employee or prospective employee shall be subjected to the involuntary use of contraceptives or pregnancy testing.

ii. Workers will be permitted to take maternity leave without facing threat of dismissal, loss of seniority or deduction in wages, and shall be able to return to their former employment at the same rate of pay and benefits.

12. Universal Declaration Of Human Rights

In addition to upholding local labour laws and ILO conventions, suppliers are expected to maintain for their employees all standards set within the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

REFERENCES

1. Core or fundamental ILO conventions have been identified by the ILO's Governing Body as fundamental to the rights of human beings at work, to be implemented and ratified by all member states of the organization. Fundamental ILO conventions include: freedom of association (Conventions 87, 98); abolition of forced labour (Conventions 29, 105); non-discrimination (Convention 111); equal remuneration (Convention l00); and the elimination of child labour (Conventions 138, 182).

2. ILO Convention No.29. Forced Labour Convention, 1930.

3. ILO Convention No. 105. Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957.

4. Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code, London, UK. http://www.ethicaltrade.org/ 5. ILO Convention No 138. Minimum Age Convention, 1973.

5. ILO Convention No.182. Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999.

6. ILO Recommendation 146. Minimum Age Recommendation, 1973.

7. ILO Convention No.111. Discrimination (Employment aid Occupation Convention, 1958.

8. ILO Convention No.100. Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951.

9. ILO Convention No.87 .Freedom of Association and Protection of he Right to Organize Convention, 1948.

10. ILO Convention No.98. Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949.

11. ILO Convention 135. Workers' Representatives Convention, 1971.

12. ILO Occupational Safety and Health Convention No.155 and Recommendation 164, 1981.

d) Report regarding Disposal of Surplus or Obsolete Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment via Warehouse Sale p.42-p.45.

That the Board approve the Disposal of Surplus or Obsolete Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment in accordance with TCDSB Policy F.M.07.

e) Report regarding 2004/05/06 School Renewal Program – Authority to Award Large 2006 Tenders p.46-p.48.

That the Director of Education be authorized to award tenders for urgent large renewal projects scheduled this spring normally considered by Board, listed in Appendix A, to facilitate timely completion schedules.

f) Report regarding Results of the Feasibility Studies for 4 Joint Use Sites with the
Toronto District School Board p.49-p.54.

That joint venture projects at Albion Gardens Public School/St. John Vianney and Whitfield Public School/Venerable John Merlini as detailed in the report be included for consideration in the Long Term Accommodation Plan.

13. Reports of Officials and Special Committees for INFORMATION of the Board.

a) Report regarding Education Development Charges (“EDC”) for the Period
September 1, 2005 to January 31, 2006 p.55-p.60.

Receive.

b) Report regarding Pre-Planning for Computer Roll-Out and Provision of
Computers and Networking in Portable Classrooms p.61-p.63.

Receive.

c) Report regarding 2005-2006 Operating Budget Compared to Actual and
Committed Expenditures as at January 31, 2006 p.64-p.68.

Receive.

14. Approval of Matters for which no trustee has requested debate:

15. Communications:

a) OCSTA Position on Trustee Compensation p.69.

16. Inquiries and Miscellaneous:

N.B. Private Inquiries must only be related to matters as outlined in the reference to legislation on the inside cover of the Private Agenda.

17. Update of Pending List:

18. RESOLVE INTO PRIVATE SESSION.