Regional Council proclaimed December 3, 2005 International Day of Disabled Persons in the Region of Peel to coincide with the United Nations' International Day of Disabled Persons to be held on the same day. Various events are planned for December 2. The 2005 theme, as declared by the United Nations, is "Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Action in Development".

Regional Council proclaimed December 12 to 18, 2005 9-1-1 Awareness Week in the Region of Peel. The goal of 9-1-1 Awareness Week in the Region of Peel is to continue the 9-1-1 Awareness Campaign to focus public attention on the proper use of the 9-1-1 emergency service number.

The 9-1-1 emergency number service employs approximately 250 Emergency Communicators. There are numerous activities planned to provide education to the public during 9-1-1 Awareness Week, in addition to the presentation of the Paul Schram Memorial Award for the Communicator of the Year scheduled for the Regional Council Meeting on December 15, 2005.

For more information please visit http://www.peelregion.ca/emergncy

Regional Council received the first report on Human Capital in the Region of Peel. Human Capital describes the fit between the education and skills of populations against their employment and income, and consequently their ability to fully function in society.

The Human Capital Assessment found that the median age of Peel residents is 34.4 years of age. The population is also well-educated and qualified with 47.6 per cent having higher education and skills, which is mirrored in the recent immigrant population as well. The Region of Peel enjoys low unemployment with the average employment earnings of $36,369 annually. The Liveable Peel initiative provides an opportunity to further research human capital and immigration issues as they may impact the Region in the future.

Regional Council approved a recommendation to exclude, at this time, polyvinyl chloride (P.V.C) material for large diameter water distribution pipes, 400mm (16 inch) or greater in the approved list of material specifications and include only concrete pressure pipe (CPP) and coated/lined ductile iron pipe (DI).

Regional Council directed Public Works staff to submit a report to future meeting regarding the findings of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) report, titled "Long-Term Performance of PVC Pipe" due to be released in the Spring of 2006.

Regional Council received an update from the Peel Advisory Working Group on Older Adults' Housing (PAWGOAH) on recent initiatives to address older adults' housing matters in Peel.

The PAWGOAH is 20-member multi-stakeholder community-based body whose mandate is to develop and promote ways of meeting the current and future needs for affordable rental and ownership housing for older adults in Peel Region.

Recent initiatives of the PAWGOAH include brochures and displays to provide information on the housing options for older adults and consultations with other Peel support agencies, such as the Peel Mental Health Housing Coalition, and the Greater Toronto Home Builder Association. These collaborations will attempt to address key issues for older adults and plan for their future needs.

For more information please visit http://www.peelregion.ca/housing

Regional Council received an update on poverty in Peel by way of a report titled Strategic Review of Poverty in Peel. The review provides an in-depth look at low income and poverty-stricken residents in Peel and the continued collaboration of efforts to address the root causes of poverty in a preventative way.

Consistent with national trends, the Strategic Review of Poverty in Peel identifies recent immigrants, visible minorities, single parents, young families with children and unattached seniors as those most vulnerable to low income and poverty. These groups represent the fastest-growing component of Peel's population of which visible minorities are the largest of the vulnerable groups, representing almost 40 per cent of the total population in Peel.

Regional Council directed staff to engage with community organizations to develop an action plan to mitigate the impact and reduce the rate of poverty in Peel and report back to Regional Council with recommendations in 2006.