This past year the Metro Chapter has continued to work on matters concerning the City of Toronto. Two of our concerns required contact with Provincial Ministries.

i) Metro Chapter representatives took part in one of the consultations organized by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. These were discussions on a long-term affordable housing strategy that will improve access to adequate, suitable and affordable housing. We also wrote a letter to the Ministry expressing our point of view (see www.canpension.ca Housing) and are now waiting for the Ministry's Strategy Report.

ii) A letter was written to the Minister of Education with copies to the trustees of the Toronto Public and Catholic School Boards regarding the sale of schools in the city (www.canpension.ca News Sheet and Viewpoint November 2009). A detailed reply was received from the Director, Capital Programs Branch Ministry of Education. During the year Metro Chapter representatives have participated in the activities of other groups in the City:

1. Age Friendly Community (AFC) events were held in Toronto and across the province beginning in June last year. The idea of age-friendly cities came from a global project of the World Health Organization. A checklist of essential age-friendly city features was developed under eight domains that affect healthy aging: outdoor spaces and buildings; transportation; housing; social participation; respect and social inclusion; civic participation and employment; communication and information; community and health services. Members of the Chapter attended the City of Toronto consultation on June 16, 2009. The Book of Proceedings, (www.toronto.ca) includes a record of 21 small group discussion highlights, future action suggestions and the resources needed. The topics covered related to the eight domains. We were part of the working group which planned the February 9, 2010 forum led by Ontario Seniors' Secretariat and Ontario Coalition of Senior Citizens Organization. About 180 persons participated in the table discussions. Summaries and presentations from the Toronto forum and the others across the province can be found on www.afcuwaterloo.ca . The purpose of the forum was to raise awareness of the AFC framework, to serve as a "call to action" for people to take leadership in their community and continue to build a community of people who can learn from and support each other in making their communities age-friendly. We will be participating in the group formed to "Develop a Framework to Further Initiate, Sustain and Promote the Age Friendly Initiative in Toronto".
2. As a member of Housing Action Now (HAN) we are supporting the Open Budget Initiative which has been developed by HAN together with a number of agencies including the Social Planning Council. The purpose is to have the residents of Toronto provided with information about and involved in the process of the City budget planning prior to the presentation of the final budget proposal by staff. On the same evening HAN and the Social Planning council are sponsoring a free screening and discussion of Skyworks, a documentary film about homeless families in the GTA. Representatives of the Chapter hope to attend.
3. Our membership in PLANTSS (Planning in North Toronto for Senior Services) has provided us with information about (a) the North Toronto Seniors' Housing Directory produced by POINT, People and Organizations in North Toronto www.pointinc.org (b)Rent Bank access criteria (www.canpension.ca and November 2009 Viewpoint) and (c) the Veterans Independence Program - information about this supportive home-care program for veterans can be accessed by phoning 1-866-522-2122.

The members of the Metro Chapter continue to provide the core of the mailing group which is essential to the delivery of Viewpoint and other large mailings that occur during the year.