STAFF REPORT
February 7, 2000
To: Board of Health
From: Councillor Irene Jones and Lee Zaslofsky
Subject: Community Roundtables on Health
Purpose:
To present the first step in determining mechanisms for community consultation and citizen participation for the Board of
Health.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Not applicable.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Board of Health hold Community Roundtables on Health on April 8, 2000.
Background:
At its meeting on May 10, 1999 the Board of Health adopted a report on Community Consultation for Public Health to
"provide a deeper level of citizen participation in our strategic change process, as well as deepening our ability to identify
public health issues on a local basis." At its meeting on December 6, 1999, the Board of Health adopted a report on
Mechanisms for Community Consultation and Participation and nominated Councillor Jones and Lee Zaslofsky to work
with staff to develop an appropriate process. This report details the first step in that process.
Comments:
Councillor Jones and Lee Zaslofsky met with staff from Toronto Public Health on January 31, 2000. The working group
developed the following plan to begin the process of developing mechanisms for community consultation and
participation:
(1) Community Roundtables on Health will be held in selected locations (by Public Health region or community council
district) on April 8, 2000.
(2) The Roundtables would be co-chaired by a Councillor and Citizen from each public health region and facilitated by the
appropriate Director. Councillors, health service providers, health advocates, community advocates, and citizens would be
invited to attend.
(3) The Roundtables would consider a) the state of health in the community, including services and needs, and b) effective
ways to carry on continued consultation and participation in the community.
(4) The April Roundtables would be documented in a report which will be discussed in follow-up roundtables in the fall,
2000.
Conclusions:
Community Roundtables on Public Health are an appropriate first step in creating mechanisms for community consultation
and participation with the Board of Health. They will allow the Board of Health to reach out to diverse participants and
have discussions close to our communities.
Contact:
Michael Fay
Coordinator, Drug Abuse Prevention Program
392-1560, extension 87343
mfay@toronto.ca
Councillor Irene Jones Lee Zaslofsky
Vice-Chair Citizen Member
