Keith Tansley, Executive Director
About Us
Founded in 1955, Community Living Mississauga is a non-profit, charitable organization which provides support to people who have an intellectual disability.
Our mission is to provide support to people who have an intellectual disability to ensure their quality of life in the community is meaningfully improved.
Our vision is that all people will live in a state of dignity and respect, and share in all elements of living in a community which is welcoming, accepting and inclusive of everyone. All people will have the freedom to make choices and decisions that enable them to achieve self-determination.
We believe that people who have an intellectual disability have a right to live in the community and to participate actively in community life.
Each person, regardless of disability, should enjoy the full rights of citizenship and the full experience of membership in the community.
We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors consisting of people we support, family members and concerned members of the community.
Mrs. Laura Sluce – President
Laura is a Chartered Professional Accountant with significant experience in public accounting. Laura is a Partner at Ernst & Young LLP, where she specializes in providing professional services to a wide variety of public, private and not-for-profit organizations.
Laura joined the Board of Directors in 2015 and most recently served as Vice-President prior to being appointed President in 2022. Laura also volunteers for Community Living Mississauga as a member of the Quality Management Committee. A resident of Mississauga since 2009, she and her husband, Victor, have two sons, Aidan and Patrick.
Mr. Pran Kirtani – Vice-President
Pran is a licensed professional engineer in Ontario and is working with National Compressed Air Canada as their Director of Sales. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with additional qualifications in Management and IT. Born in India, he has travelled widely around the world and has an impeccable professional record. With his knowledge and expertise, he has been helping his clients and partners in all corners of the globe for over two decades. In addition to his outstanding professional achievements, he also takes special interest in music, poetry and movie making. Collaborating with other passionate local artists, he has been involved in creating thought provoking music and videos in the Hindi language. Pran is a resident of Mississauga since 2005 where he lives with his wife Reema, son Mayank and daughter Sakshi. This is Pran’s third term on the Board of Directors.
Mr. Greg Symons – Vice President
Greg’s involvement with Community Living Mississauga began in 2000 when he was awarded the mandate to manage the Community Living Mississauga Foundation investment portfolio. As a Director and Portfolio Manager for ScotiaMcLeod, Greg specializes in designing and implementing strategies to enhance and sustain their client’s financial future. This includes developing cohesive total financial solutions which include financial planning, estate planning and insurance risk analysis.
Greg’s interest in Community Living Mississauga expanded over the years and he has committed a great deal of his time as a volunteer with Community Living Mississauga chairing the Annual Golf Classic and also serves on the organization’s Annual Tribute Dinner Committee. Greg and his children, Michael and Gillian, have been residents of Mississauga since 1982. This is Greg’s second term on the Board of Directors.
Mr. Kevin Porter – Treasurer
Kevin earned his Canadian Institute of Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA Canada), CA designation in 1986 and opened his own full-time practice as a Chartered Professional Accountant in 1993. With a primary focus on companies that are privately held and owner/managed, Kevin provides a full range of accounting and assurance services as well as corporate and personal tax and planning services. Kevin has also served as an instructor for The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario (now Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario) and has served as both an instructor and technical case reviewer for the School of Accountancy. Kevin continues to give back to the community in a variety of capacities. This will be Kevin’s first term on the Board of Directors.
Ms. Holly Pellizzer – Secretary
Holly first became involved with Community Living Mississauga over 13 years ago when she was looking for work and was referred to the Employment Resource Centre. Since then, Holly maintains a busy schedule working at Cineplex as well as Whole Foods. She enjoys being active and involved in her community. She was an active member of the Leadership group, enjoys the arts, listening to live bands, attending museums and travelling with her family. For more than 30 years, Holly has lived with her family in Mississauga. This is Holly’s third term on the Board of Directors.
Mrs. Dorothy Martel – Past President
Dorothy has lived in Mississauga since 1992, moving to the GTA from Montreal. Dorothy was a member of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board’s Special Education Advisory Committee for numerous years initially as a member at large and then as a representative for Learning Disabilities Mississauga. Dorothy was also a Board Member for the Unity for Autism Foundation charity. Dorothy is always looking to give back and participate in her community. Now retired Dorothy and her family are enjoying spending more time together. This is Dorothy’s third term on the Board of Directors.
Mr. Paul Brum
As a lifelong resident of Mississauga, Paul has taken every opportunity to engage in his community. He enjoys new experiences, particularly meeting others through personal interests such as cooking, barbecuing, bike riding, working out and spending time with family and friends. To enhance his passion for cooking, Paul attended Mohawk College in Hamilton and Humber College in Toronto. Paul has also been employed in the food services industry. Paul is a staunch advocate for inclusion of all people and has been involved in public speaking opportunities. This is Paul’s first term on the Board of Directors.
Ms. Heather Cassells
Heather is a partner with Kain Family Law LLP in Mississauga. Heather has practiced exclusively in the area of family law for over 10 years, and has extensive experience representing clients at the Ontario Court of Justice, Superior Court of Justice, and in alternative dispute processes such as mediation and arbitration. Heather works closely with her clients to advise them on a wide variety of family law matters, including high conflict parenting matters as well as complex property and support issues. Heather resides in Toronto with her husband, her son, and their two dogs. She is looking forward to the opportunity to give back to the Mississauga community. This is Heather’s first term on the Board of Directors.
Mr. Rick North
Rick has resided in Mississauga for over twenty years. He spent his entire business career working in the field of International Transportation, most recently as the Executive Vice President of The Cavalier Group of Companies (Bolton, Ontario). Rick has served on the Board of the Transportation Sales and Marketing Association for 8 years and was awarded the “Outstanding Service Award” in recognition of his contributions to the association and development of professionalism in the industry. Rick also served on the Board of the ATA American Trucking Association, Sales & Marketing Council for 5 years. Now retired after 46 years in the industry, Rick has been volunteering with Community Living Mississauga’s Annual Golf Classic. Rick is married to Monique and has two children, Emily & Will along with two grandchildren that reside in Vancouver B. C. This will be Rick’s second term on the Board of Directors.
Ms. Jessica Portelance
Jessica was born in Etobicoke and has resided in Mississauga her entire life. She attended West Credit Secondary School. During the summer she participated in a Teen Activity Program offered by Community Living Mississauga. It was an experience which resulted in a greater appreciation of the role the organization plays in the Mississauga community.
Jessica went on to Humber College where she successfully completed a (CICE) Community Integration Cooperative Education course Jessica has been a part-time employee at Starbucks for the past nine years. Jessica currently sits on the Rights Committee and is proud to represent her peers. Maintaining a busy lifestyle, she enjoys spending time with family and particularly likes travel. Jessica is very creative and loves to share her artwork with family and friends. Jessica is looking forward to serving her first term on the Board of Directors.
Mr. Craig Ross
Craig is a partner with Pallett Valo LLP and is the practice group head of the firm’s Wills, Estates & Trusts Practice. Craig’s expertise has been consistently recognized by the Best Lawyers in Canada and Lexpert Professional Directories.
Craig has significant experience assisting families with children who have disabilities. In addition to the Board, Craig sits on the Rights Review Committee. Craig is also a regular speaker and writer on subjects of estate planning and planning for beneficiaries who have a disability. This is Craig’s second term on the Board of Directors.
Human beings, by nature, are a judging and discerning species. Our minds leap to almost- instantaneous judgments about who people are, whether or not they are worthy, and then whether they are “part of “us” or “one of them”. The impact of these split-second – often unconscious – judgments are significant, strong and life defining. And they can occur just as easily to assume good things about a person who has done nothing to “deserve” it as to assume bad things about a person who has equally done nothing to deserve this judgment.
No matter what you, yourself, may think about people personally, society in general does not judge all people as equal or equally worthy. In fact, it has been shown that society, in general, devalues or automatically has poor regard for, and little protects or offers/brings the good things in life (home, work or contribution, good nutrition, friends, family, etc.) to people who are generally not valued by that society.
Our society (Western, industrialized, information-based) values newness, speed, productivity, perceived competence, a limited definition of beauty, perfection, youth, money, education, competition, and material wealth. Our society likes these things, holds them up as right and good and highly favours those people and groups who are seen to embody these things.
On the other hand, people who are not seen to fit this mold, or in fact, are seen to embody just the opposites –age, slowness, lack or low productivity, incompetence, non-classic beauty, imperfection, aged or senior, poor, uneducated or illiterate, and without material wealth – are perceived as being different from this norm in such a negative way as to not deserve the good things in life that others are afforded.Much of this process of perceiving and then judging an individual or a group of people is quick and unconscious – people are not aware of this happening and do not talk about it. In fact, many people would be horrified to see themselves as treating people who are disabled, homeless, or elderly as less valued or different in ways that impact them poorly. An objective look at the lifestyles, opportunities and situations lived by people who are seen as less worthy according to society’s values informs us that people who are devalued are constantly living much poorer quality lives than their valued counterparts – not by choice, but by societal action and design. As products of this very society, all of us learn what our society values, and unless we make a conscious effort to examine the process and do otherwise, we take on those values, and thereby, also those prejudices and devaluations.
Social Role Valorization (SRV) is a framework that helps us look at what we can do to influence society’s perceptions of a given individual or group. SRV is an empirical (that is, scientific, provable) theory that not only enlightens us about these powerful forces in society, but also shows us how to observe our environment, analyze its factors, and choose actions that will significantly impact how individuals and even groups are perceived by both individuals and whole sections of society.In particular, SRV asks us to pay attention to the social roles that people hold (both negative and positive; both current and potential). Many of our judgments about people are based on our perception of the social roles that they hold. Where people are perceived to hold roles that we see as familiar, typical and positive, we tend to feel more comfortable and positive and more inclined to welcome them into some of the good things in life. Where people are perceived to hold negative, odd, or unfamiliar roles, we tend to step back and often simply allow for mere basics of life (or even less)to be afforded them. SRV also helps us to pay attention to both the imagery and competency perceived within those roles and to invite and encourage individuals into close, personal relationships with other valued citizens so that such relationships are mutual, enriching, and safeguarding.
SRV gives us insights on how historically services, programmes and our culture have been organized in (often unconscious) ways that reflect and reinforce society’s negative views and stereotypes of people it does not value. We can positively shape society’s attitudes or, at least, to add some positive perspectives by focusing on roles and images that are familiar and valued. This would allow the person’s positive characteristics, interests, gifts and contributions to come to light – a positive benefit for the whole society.
c 2009, 2011 Janet Klees janet@legacies.ca
Community Living Mississauga is committed to conform to all aspects of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Human Rights Code and strives to ensure that all locations owned or operated by Community Living Mississauga provide barrier free services, supports, and employment. Community Living Mississauga recognizes that the key principals of accessibility are independence, dignity, integration, and equality.
This policy applies to all Community Living Mississauga employees, volunteers, and board members.
All services must be provided in a manner that respects the dignity and inherent worth of people who have a disability and which reflects our Mission and Vision of equality, inclusion, and independence of people who have a disability.
Procedure
The Accessibility Policy is available on Community Living Mississauga’s intranet (iConnect) and on our website. Accessible formats of this policy will be made available if required and as requested.
The Accessibility Plan identifies and addresses barriers that may be encountered while living, working or visiting any Community Living Mississauga owned or operated location. It also encourages awareness of any barriers at community locations or services which may be accessed by the people we support so that they also may be brought to the attention of those locations and services. Barriers deny dignity and independence and Community Living Mississauga strives to offer barrier free services.
- Employees, persons supported, volunteers, family, friends, etc. may identify any potential barriers and report them at any time.
- Barrier Identification Forms can be obtained by calling Human Resources.
- The forms are received by Human Resources and reviewed by Senior Management. Barriers are discussed and plans are made to address or remove them as deemed applicable and feasible.
- The reported Barriers will include the location, the year it was first identified, description of the barrier, strategies for removing it, timeline for completion, and cost. Human Resources will ensure the Accessibility Plan Report is updated and posted as each new barrier is identified and resolved.
- It may be that some identified barriers cannot be addressed in a timely fashion or at all. For example, cost considerations may dictate that the best way to address the inaccessibility of a building’s second story is to allow its lease to elapse.
The Accessibility Plan will be reviewed by Human Resources every five years. The Accessibility Plan is available on Community Living Mississauga’s website. Accessible formats of this plan will be made available if required and as requested.
Use of Assistive Devices
Community Living Mississauga recognizes that some people who have a disability use assistive devices (i.e. wheelchairs, mobility aids, hearing aids) in order to access services. Community Living Mississauga will support these people in their need to use their assistive devices to obtain, use, or benefit from its services. In addition to telephone and electronic mail service, Community Living Mississauga offers assistive measures such as Teletypewriter (TTY) service to enable people who have a disability to access its services. If necessary, Community Living Mississauga will make every effort to provide alternate service methods to accommodate individual needs (i.e. large prints, audio tools).
Accessible Formats and Communication Supports
When communicating with a person who has a disability, Community Living Mississauga will communicate in a manner that takes into account the person’s disability and shall do so in a manner that is respectful and meets the needs of the person. When requested, Community Living Mississauga will provide or arrange to provide accessible formats and communication supports for information needed. This also includes employees who have disabilities and who may need communication supports to perform his or her job and access information that is generally available to other employees. Emergency, Evacuation Procedures and other Safety Plans will be made available in accessible formats upon request.
The information and communications standards do not apply for information that we do not control directly or indirectly through a contractual relationship. Where it is not feasible to convert the information, the organization will do their best to accommodate the request to the best of our ability.
Service Animals
Community Living Mississauga recognizes that some people who have a disability may require the use of guide dogs or other service animals in order to access services. People who have a disability who are accompanied by a guide dog or other service animal will generally be permitted to enter Community Living Mississauga’s premises and to keep the animal with them, unless the animal is otherwise excluded by law from the premises.
If the animal is legally excluded from the premises, Community Living Mississauga will make reasonable efforts to arrange alternative ways for the person to obtain, use or benefit from its’ services.
The person with a disability is responsible for the care and control of the service animal at all times.
Support Persons and Admission Fees
Community Living Mississauga recognizes that some people who have a disability rely on support persons for assistance while accessing services. A person who has a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to enter Community Living Mississauga’s premises together with a support person, and will not be prevented from having access to a support person while on the premises. If Community Living Mississauga charges an admission fee in connection with a support person’s presence at an event or function to meet the health and safety needs of a person with a disability, Community Living Mississauga will waive the admission fee.
Disruptions to Service
In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to Community Living Mississauga’s facilities services or public spaces that are usually used by people who have a disability, (e.g., temporary loss of elevator service), Community Living Mississauga will provide notice of the disruption to the public, including the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities or services that may be available. Notice of such disruption will normally be posted on Community Living Mississauga’s website and may also be posted on the physical premises, where appropriate in the circumstances. Information regarding a disruption of services will also be made available in an accessible format as necessary.
Training
All employees, volunteers, and Board Members are required to successfully complete Accessibility training at the time of hire. The Accessibility Policy and Plan will be distributed through the normal process of Electronic Documentation.
Accommodation and Return to Work Procedures
Community Living Mississauga will make every reasonable effort to provide meaningful employment to any employee who has a permanent disability and who requests accommodation. Please see Community Living Mississauga’s Return to Work Procedures in the Health and Safety Manual for detailed procedures, roles, and responsibilities.
Community Living Mississauga commits to take into account any accessibility needs of employees with disabilities and individual accommodation plans in any activities related to Performance Management, career development and advancement, and redeployment.
Feedback, Comments or Complaints
Comments or complaints regarding Community Living Mississauga’s Accessibility Policy or Plan can be made to the Human Resources Department. Complaints and feedback will be received and addressed by Community Living Mississauga in accordance with our normal complaints administration procedures.
Copies of This Policy
Community Living Mississauga recognizes that individuals who have a disability use methods other than standard print to access information. Community Living Mississauga will provide this policy, or the information contained in the policy, as needed, in a format that takes into account the person’s disability, such as plain language, large print, or Braille.
Welcome to Community Living Mississauga’s online review of Quality Assurances.
This video provides an annual review of the organization’s vision and mission statements, service principles and statement of rights.
Complaint/Concern Resolution for Individuals Who Receive Support and their Families, Guardians and/or Advocates and the General Public
Community Living Mississauga is committed to maintaining quality and excellence in services. In order to do this, there must be an established culture of open, supportive communication. To facilitate communication, people receiving supports and services, their families, guardians and/or advocates and members of the general public must have ways to discuss and bring forth their concerns, complaints and feedback constructively. By providing mechanisms to do this, we can work cooperatively to address and correct issues and/or resolve differences in a timely fashion.
Where reasonable and necessary and in accordance with Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services Quality Assurance Measures complaints/concerns/feedback will be investigated.
- If the complaint or concern is about abuse, neglect or exploitation, Community Living Mississauga’s Policy regarding Abuse and Neglect will be followed
- If the complaint or concern is about a rights restriction, Community Living Mississauga’s policy regarding Rights Restrictions and Due Process will be followed
- A plain language version of the Complaints/Concerns mechanism is provided to all people who receive support from Community Living Mississauga
Procedure
Step One
If a person receiving supports and services and/or his/her family/guardian/advocate or a member of the general public has an issue or concern regarding supports and services, the issues should be directed verbally or in writing or in any other manner that suits that person’s communication style. The complaint/concern should first be addressed with a support staff, then to the area Manager and then to the area Director. It is the responsibility of the Support Worker/Manager/Director receiving the complaint to address the concern and work towards achieving resolution at the time that the complaint is received in addition to ensuring the process is free of any coercion or intimidation before, during or after resolution.
Step Two
If the response from the Support Worker/Manager/Director is unsatisfactory to the person, the person, with assistance as needed or requested, can call the “Telephone Complaint Line.” This is not an emergency number. People can leave a message on a voicemail and will be responded to within 72 hours. The number is 905-542-3607. You can also send an email directly accessible from the website by clicking on “Email the Complaint Line”. When a person lodges a complaint through the Complaint Line they are advised that they may be contacted throughout the process for information, follow up or any other related communication. They will be asked to make themselves available for this type of follow up.
Step Three
In order to avoid conflict of interest, the Director of Quality and Community Development is responsible for checking the Telephone Complaint Line and the email box daily. This Director does not have direct support responsibilities and therefore does not have any bias and is a neutral party.
The person leaving the complaint will be responded to within 72 hours. It is the responsibility of the Director of Quality and Community Development to investigate the complaint/concern and work towards a resolution reporting back to the person within five business days in addition to ensuring the process is free of any coercion or intimidation before, during or after resolution.
It should be noted that some situations may require a longer period of time to work through. However, communication back to the person with a status update will be provided within five business days.
Step Four
If the response from Step Three is unsatisfactory, the person receiving support, family/guardian/advocate can contact the Executive Director. The Executive Director will review and respond to the complaint/concerns raised within 10 business days of receiving the complaint.
Step Five
If the response from Step Four is unsatisfactory, the person receiving supports and services/family/guardian/advocate can contact the President of the Board of Directors requesting further action through the Board of Directors. This can be done by communicating this to the Executive Director who will in turn advise the President of the Board. The Board President and Executive Director will review the initial complaint and the Executive Director’s response. A written response will be forwarded to the person receiving services and supports family/guardian/advocate within thirty days from the date of the initial contact with the Board President.
Note:
All people who receive supports/services have the right to be heard. This includes the right to submit a complaint/concern without risk of supports or services being negatively impacted or withdrawn as a result. People lodging a complaint/concern will be advised of this at the time of the complaint/concern. All complaints/concerns will be addressed as per the above process without reprisal in accordance with Community Living Mississauga’s Rights Policy and Rights Assessment Process.
Community Living Mississauga is proactive in soliciting feedback in a variety of other ways such as online surveys, telephone surveys, parent groups, program participation feedback, etc.
All complaints are fully documented and recorded in the organizational database.
In order to promote continuous quality improvement an annual review and analysis is conducted of the complaints and feedback.
Community Living Mississauga has developed a long-term Strategic Plan designed to provide the highest possible quality support for the more than 3000 people supported by the organization as well as creating a workplace which attracts the best possible employees.
CLICK HERE to read Community Living Mississauga’s Strategic Plan for the current year.
Community Living Mississauga is designated as a broader public sector organization and, as such, complies with the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act (BPSAA) and related directives. This includes making its rules and practices regarding expenses and perquisites available to the public on its website.
All of the directives have been applied to our internal policies and procedures. Below you find some specific excerpts:
Travel, meal and hospitality expenses:
Volunteers and employees will be reimbursed for expenses that are related to business, modest and appropriate and are supported by acceptable documentation, and are properly authorized in accordance with internal policies. All travel, meal and hospitality expenses are subject to external audit.
Expenses Rules
Volunteer and employee’s will be reimbursed for expenses that are related to business, modest and appropriate and are supported by acceptable documentation, and are properly authorized in accordance with internal policies. All business expenses are subject to external audit.
Perquisites
Community Living Mississauga does not provide perquisites to any of its volunteers or employees.
If you have any questions about Community Living Mississauga’s policies and procedures related to any of the above please contact one of the following:
- Keith Tansley, Executive Director, keitht@clmiss.ca
- Susan Hawke, Director, Finance and IT, susanha@clmiss.ca
CLICK HERE to find the details of the Broader Public Sector Procurement Directive
At Community Living Mississauga we believe creating a safe, trusting, and inclusive workplace is integral to all that we do.
Over the course of the last year, we have been on a journey to gain a deeper understanding of where we are at as an organization with respect to diversity, equity and inclusion. This work has culminated in the development of our new diversity statement.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to the values of Community Living Mississauga. We commit to working with our employees, volunteers, and the people we support, to consistently uphold and promote an inclusive culture where everyone is able to connect, belong and grow.
We are thrilled to have achieved such an important milestone and remain steadfast in our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, creating a safe and trusting space for the people we support and their families, as well as our employees, volunteers and community partners.
This is an important step in our diversity, equity and inclusion journey and it will be our organization’s guiding light in all that we do moving forward.