Ms. Lochhead introduced the report.
Councillor Ridge asked for staff to expand upon 2025 being labelled a transition year. Ms. Lochhead stated that the review was broken down into many different components and that staff would be bringing a new framework for approval after the 2025 budget. She explained that staff wished to provide continuity funding to the organizations that currently receive a grant from the City yearly and ensure that a transition plan was in place for them out of the yearly system. She noted that the individual artists that received grants will have to December 2025 to finish their works. She further stated that staff will not be accepting applications for funding until September 2025. She acknowledged the challenge ahead in ensuring that funding remains for groups as the transition to the new system begins.
Councillor Chaves thanked staff for the report. He pointed to his past experience serving on the Grant Committee and asked for an explanation of the grant equity that was presented in the report. Ms. Lochhead explained that grant equity was the centrepiece of the review and would ensure greater clarity on eligibility. She stated that staff have looked at the average size of grants with consideration with the City's budget. She highlighted changes to the operating grants stream and the creation of a specific festival grant stream. She noted that the grant ranges would also be changed.
Councillor Amos asked if there was flexibility in allocating funding between streams in case one stream was under-utilized in a specific year. He stated that it was frustrating to see funds not be released due to issues related to rigidity in structure. Ms. Lochhead confirmed that the current system allows for this flexibility and that it would be continued in the new system.
The Chair provided an opportunity for members of the public to speak. There were no members of the public present.