City of Toronto Logo Decision Document



Board of Health


Meeting No. 27   Contact Candy Davidovits, Committee Administrator
Meeting Date Monday, January 18, 2010
  Phone 416-392-8032
Start Time 1:00 PM
  E-mail boh@toronto.ca
Location Committee Room 1, City Hall
  Chair   Councillor John Filion  


The Decision Document is for preliminary reference purposes only.  Please refer to the Committee’s Report to City Council or to the Minutes for the official record.

 

 

HL27.1 

ACTION

Amended 

 

 

Election of Chair for 2010
Committee Decision

The Board of Health elected Councillor John Filion as Chair of the Board of Health for a term
of office starting January 18, 2010 to December 31, 2010, and until a successor is elected.

Summary

The Board of Health to elect its Chair for 2010.


HL27.2 

ACTION

Amended 

 

 

Election of Vice-Chair for 2010
Committee Decision

The Board of Health elected Councillor Janet Davis as Vice-Chair of the Board of Health for a
term of office starting January 18, 2010 to December 31, 2010, and until a successor is elected.

Summary

The Board of Health to elect its Vice-Chair for 2010.


HL27.3 

Information

Received 

 

Ward: All 

Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Update
Committee Decision

The Board of Health received, for information, the verbal update on pandemic influenza preparedness.

Decision Advice and Other Information

Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Director and Associate Medical Officer of Health, gave a verbal update on pandemic influenza preparedness.

Summary

The Medical Officer of Health will give an update on pandemic influenza preparedness in Toronto.


HL27.4 

ACTION

Adopted 

 

Ward: All 

Budget Adjustment to the Toronto Public Health 2009 Approved Operating Budget for Flu Assessment Centres
Committee Recommendations

The Board of Health recommends that:

 

1.         City Council increase the Toronto Public Health 2009 Operating Budget for one-time funding of $135.0 thousand gross and $0.0 net, provided by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to reimburse the cost for implementation of flu assessment centres during the fall of 2009 as part of the City’s H1N1 pandemic response.

Origin
(December 21, 2009) Report from Medical Officer of Health
Summary

The purpose of this report is to request a budget adjustment to Toronto Public Health’s (TPH) 2009 Operating Budget.  This adjustment reflects 100 per cent funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) Emergency Operations Centre, for the reimbursement of extraordinary costs to implement flu assessment centres, as part of the City’s response to the second wave of H1N1 in fall of 2009.

 

Toronto Public Health implemented five flu assessment centres in partnership with other health service organizations in the city i.e. hospitals, family health teams and community health centres.  The flu assessment centres provided temporary relief for hospital emergency room services and primary care, offering alternate point of care access for patients who required influenza assessment, treatment and referral in accordance with the planning and response principles outlined in the Ontario Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic (OHPIP) and the Toronto Public Health Plan for an Influenza Pandemic (TPHPIP).

Background Information
HL27.4 - Budget Adjustment to the Toronto Public Health 2009 Approved Operating Budget for Flu Assessment Centres - Staff Report
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-26242.pdf)


HL27.5 

ACTION

Amended 

 

 

Update on Air Pollution from Toronto's Airports
Committee Decision

The Board of Health requested:

 

1.          the Toronto Port Authority:

 

a.         to ensure that its new comprehensive air study address nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, volatile organic carbons (VOCs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and carbonyl compounds, particularly acrolein;

 

b.         to include the following components in its new comprehensive air modelling study: a detailed emissions inventory combined with modelling to predict air quality impacts from current and projected activities at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and beyond the airport boundaries; comparison of results to any existing ambient measurements in the vicinity and to federal and provincial ambient air quality guidelines; an airport monitoring program that includes assessment of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and carbonyl compounds, particularly acrolein; and a human health risk assessment to explore the potential health risks associated with airport emissions only, and airport emissions relative to the overall potential health risks from air pollution in the community;

 

c.         to provide opportunities for the Toronto City Centre Airport Noise Management Study Advisory Group to review the terms of reference for the comprehensive air study and provide input; and

 

d.         to provide opportunities for the airport consultative committee and the Toronto Medical Officer of Health to advise on mitigation plans for health and environmental concerns, including those indirectly related to airport operations such as emissions from taxis or parking lots; and

 

 e.        that the proposed “Airport Consultative Committee” or the “Toronto City Centre Airport Noise Management Study Advisory Committee” be structured to have representation similar to the committee established at the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, including representation from Toronto Public Health, Transport Canada and the community;

 

f.          to provide a full break down of all the chemicals which are used in operations at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport; and

 

g.         to outline their policies and practices that are in place to prevent hazardous wastes from entering the holding tanks and/or the city sewer system or the lake water that surrounds this airport;

 

2.         the Ontario Ministry of the Environment to ensure that the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is in full compliance with provincial environmental regulations, and to require the airport to employ state-of-the art methods for containing, recycling or eliminating contaminated runoff from the airport, especially with respect to the use of ethylene glycol used during de-icing operations;

 

3.         the Toronto Police Service and Transportation Services, Right-of-Way Management, Permit Parking by-law enforcement to aggressively enforce the anti-idling by-law at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport;

 

4.         the Medical Officer of Health to report to the Board of Health on the environmental assessments required for expansion at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport;

 

5.         the General Manager, Toronto Water, to:

 

a.         identify what chemicals are used in the de-icing fluids, as well as in other cleaning products used at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport; and

 

b.         test the water pumped from the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport holding tanks into the city sewer system for all the chemicals that they have identified; and

 

6.         that all written submissions presented to the Board of Health with regard to the “Update on Air Pollution from Toronto’s Airports” be forwarded to the Provincial and Federal Ministers of Environment and Health, to any other appropriate government authorities and to well established environmental groups in Ontario.

Origin
(October 27, 2009) Report from Medical Officer of Health
Summary

Many activities at airports have potential environmental health impacts, including contributing to local air pollution.  Some of these impacts can be reduced by implementing environmental plans and programs.  Although airports are not required by any authority to report on environmental initiatives they may be undertaking, they may choose to make this information available to the public.

 

The two main airports in Toronto are Toronto Pearson International Airport and the Toronto City Centre Airport. The Medical Officer of Health previously reported on air quality at these airports in June 2008.  Where possible, this report updates information about voluntary actions by the airports to reduce emissions.

 

The Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) has a comprehensive environmental program for Toronto Pearson International Airport.  To reduce emissions, they are working to decrease energy use, reduce emissions from aircraft and vehicles, and support environmental activities in the local business community.

 

The Medical Officer of Health previously reported that there is not enough information on activities at the Toronto City Centre Airport to describe specific air pollution sources or mitigation measures. The Toronto City Centre Airport did not provide Toronto Public Health with any new information for this report.   

Background Information
HL27.5 - Update on Air Pollution from Toronto's Airports - Staff Report
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-25306.pdf)

HL27.5 - Update on Air Pollution from Toronto's Airports - Attachment 1
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-25307.pdf)

HL27.5 - Update on Air Pollution from Toronto's Airports - Letter from Director, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-26255.pdf)

Communications
(January 6, 2010) E-mail from Ewa Pereira (HL.New.HL27.5.1)
(January 6, 2010) E-mail from Richard Pereira (HL.New.HL27.5.2)
(January 11, 2010) E-mail from Max Moore, Harbourfront Community Association (HL.New.HL27.5.3)
(January 17, 2010) Submission from Dennis Findlay, Port Lands Action Committee (HL.New.HL27.5.4)
(January 18, 2010) Submission from Brenda Roman (HL.New.HL27.5.5)
(January 17, 2010) Submission from James Russell, Planning Committee, York Quay Neighbourhood Association (YQNA) (HL.New.HL27.5.6)
(January 18, 2010) Submission from Pam Mazza, Community AIR (HL.New.HL27.5.7)
(January 18, 2010) Submission from Leida Englar, entitled "Toronto Island Airport Impact on our Children" (HL.New.HL27.5.8)

HL27.6 

ACTION

Adopted 

 

Ward: All 

Additional Funding for Built Environment and Health Project
Committee Recommendations

The Board of Health recommends that:

 

1.         City Council approve an increase of $165.0 thousand gross and $0.0 net to Toronto Public Health’s 2010 Operating Budget to reflect confirmed 2010 funding from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the lead agency for Coalitions Linking Action and Science Prevention (CLASP) funding.

 

2.         City Council authorize the Medical Officer of Health to award, execute and amend Purchase of Service contracts with Dr. Larry Frank of the University of British Columbia, and Dr. Mary Thompson of the University of Waterloo for research services on the Built Environment and Health Project.

Origin
(December 21, 2009) Report from Medical Officer of Health
Summary

The purpose of this report is to inform the Board of Health about additional funding to be allocated to Toronto Public Health (TPH) for participation in a partnership with a pan-Canadian group of agencies on the Built Environment and Health initiative.  This report also seeks City Council approval for a one-time budget adjustment to the TPH 2010 Operating Budget for the 100 percent funding provided by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

 

The initiative is funded through Coalitions Linking Action and Science for Prevention (CLASP), overseen by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC).  In November 2009, CLASP, through the lead agency, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada awarded funding of $199.0 to TPH to hire a Project Co-ordinator. Since then, the Heart and Stroke Foundation has committed to provide TPH with additional one-time funding of $415.0 thousand, covering the period February 2010 to March 2012. The purpose of the additional funding is to enable TPH to enter into Purchase of Service contracts with external experts to implement surveys, and to develop and pilot test a decision-support software tool for use in the land use and transportation planning process.

Background Information
HL27.6 - Additional Funding for Built Environment and Health Project - Staff Report
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-26243.pdf)

HL27.6 - Additional Funding for Built Environment and Health Project - Attachment 1
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-26244.pdf)


HL27.7 

ACTION

Amended 

 

Ward: All 

Appointment of 2010 Review Panels for the AIDS Prevention and Drug Prevention Community Investment Programs
Confidential Attachment - Personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees
Committee Decision

The Board of Health:

 

1.         appointed the individuals listed in Confidential Attachment 3 to the report (December 21, 2009) from the Medical Officer of Health to the AIDS Prevention Community Investment Program Review Panel and the Drug Prevention Community Investment Program Review Panel for 2010;

 

2.          directed the City Clerk to make the appointees' names public once appointed by the Board.

 

Confidential Attachment 3 to the report (December 21, 2009) from the Medical Officer of Health is now public in its entirety and contains the names of the following persons appointed to the 2010 AIDS Prevention Community Investment Program Review Panel and the 2010 Drug Prevention Community Investment Program Review Panel:

 

AIDS Prevention Community Investment Program Review Panel Recommended Membership:

 

City Councillors:

Shelley Carroll*

Kyle Rae*

 

Board of Health Member:

Lisa O’Brien*

 

Expert Members:

Notisha Massaquoi* (Women’s Health in Women’s Hands)

John Maxwell* (AIDS Committee of Toronto)

 

Citizens:

Alexander Dow*

Greg Downer*

John Kerenyi*

Claude Isofa Nkanga Bokembya*

 

Alternates:

Aneeta Lal

Darryl Perry

 

 * Returning members

 

Drug Prevention Community Investment Program Review Panel Recommended Membership:

 

City Councillor:

Paula Fletcher*

 

Board of Health Member:

Vaijayanthi Chari

 

Expert Members:

Adonis Huggins* (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health)

Nick Boyce* (Ontario HIV & Substance Use Training Program)

 

Citizens:

Shahryar Murshed*

Gila Raposa*

Jason Altenberg*

Chi Ching Hui*

Ranee Chambers*

Moumita Sarkar

 

Alternates:

Zack Marshall

Shaleena Theophilus

 

 *Returning members

Origin
(December 21, 2009) Report from Medical Officer of Health
Summary

This report recommends the appointment of members of the Review Panels for the 2010 AIDS Prevention and Drug Prevention Community Investment Programs by the Board of Health.  The individuals proposed for panel membership are listed in confidential Attachment 3.

Background Information
HL27.7 - Appointment of 2010 Review Panels for the AIDS Prevention and Drug Prevention Community Investment Programs - Staff Report
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-26245.pdf)


HL27.8 

ACTION

Adopted 

 

Ward: All 

Board of Health Representation and Attendance at 2010 Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) Meetings
Committee Decision

The Board of Health:

 

1.         approved the participation of the Board of Health’s representative or alternate at all alPHa Board meetings, alPHa Board of Health Section meetings and alPHa semi-annual meetings/conferences in 2010 and pay expenses associated with this participation.

 

2.         encouraged the participation of its members at any alPHa Board of Health Section meetings and semi-annual meetings/conferences held in Toronto in 2010 and pay expenses associated with this participation within the approved 2010 budget.

Origin
(December 1, 2009) Report from Medical Officer of Health
Summary

The purpose of this report is to request that the Board of Health approve the payment of expenses for the participation of Board of Health members at the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) meetings/conferences for 2010.

Background Information
HL27.8 - Board of Health Representation and Attendance at 2010 Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) Meetings - Staff Report
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-26247.pdf)


HL27.9 

ACTION

Adopted 

 

Ward: All 

Funding for Heat Vulnerability Assessment Mapping Project
Committee Recommendations

The Board of Health recommends that:

 

1.         City Council approve an increase of $93.0 thousand gross and $0.0 net to Toronto Public Health’s 2010 Operating Budget to reflect confirmed 2010 funding from the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, the lead agency for disbursing Natural Resources Canada funding to members of the Ontario Regional Adaptation Collaborative.

 

2.         City Council authorize the Medical Officer of Health to award, execute, and amend Purchase of Service contracts with Dr. Claus Rinner of Ryerson University, Dianne Patychuk of Steps to Equity, and Dr. Kate Bassil of Simon Fraser University for research and geospatial analysis services on the heat vulnerability mapping project.

Origin
(December 21, 2009) Report from Medical Officer of Health
Summary

The purpose of this report is to inform the Board of Health about funding to be allocated to Toronto Public Health (TPH) for participation in an Ontario-wide initiative to help communities adapt to climate change.  This report also seeks City Council approval for a one-time budget adjustment to the TPH 2010 Operating Budget for the 100 percent funding provided by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.

 

TPH is a member of the Ontario Regional Adaptation Collaborative (ORAC), which was recently awarded funding by Natural Resources Canada.  The Ontario Ministry of the Environment will be administering the funding and has committed to provide TPH with one-time funding of $135.0 thousand, covering the period February 2010 to March 2012. The purpose of the funding is to enable TPH to enter into Purchase of Service contracts with external experts to implement, test, and refine a map-based decision support approach for hot weather response.  The products will improve the ability of public health staff and other community partners to effectively deliver health-protective services to the most vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.

Background Information
HL27.9 - Funding for Heat Vulnerability Assessment Mapping Project - Staff Report
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-26248.pdf)

HL27.9 - Funding for Heat Vulnerability Assessment Mapping Project - Attachment 1
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-26249.pdf)


HL27.10 

Information

Amended 

 

Ward: All 

Improving Children’s Environmental Health in the Child Care Setting
Committee Decision

The Board of Health received, for information, the report (December 21, 2009) from the Medical Officer of Health and directed that a copy of the report be forwarded to the Children's Services Advisory Committee, the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services, the Toronto District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board, the Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest, the Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud, the Early Childhood Education Departments at Seneca, Humber and George Brown Colleges, and the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario.

Origin
(December 21, 2009) Report from Medical Officer of Health
Summary

This report provides a summary of the key findings and exposure reduction practices identified in the attached report, Childproofing for Environmental Health: An Examination of Food Related Exposures.  The focus in this report is on reducing children’s food-related exposures in the child care setting where feasible and considering other factors such as hygiene, safety, nutrition and cost effectiveness. Chemical exposures related to water, food or food containers for children in child care centres may include lead, mercury, pesticides, dioxin-like compounds, bisphenol A, phthalates and perfluorinated compounds, although the degree of risk from several of these substances is not fully understood. 

 

The review identifies several recognized best practices that can minimize food related exposures in a child care setting including: choosing fresh or frozen foods more often, reducing high fat meat and dairy (recognizing the nutritional need for full fat dairy for children under two years of age) and avoiding heating children’s food or drinks in plastic containers. Eating low mercury fish and flushing drinking water to reduce lead are also important for reducing exposure. Toronto Children’s Services has already implemented all of the recommended practices in the 57 child care centres that it directly operates.

 

TPH will work with Children’s Services and other community partners to develop and implement an action plan focused on increasing awareness among the more than 900 other child care centres in Toronto licensed by the province.  The key elements of the action plan include: recommending that all child care centres in Toronto fully implement the food-related best practices; developing a best practices toolkit; and dissemination of resources to increase awareness of children’s environmental health issues at child-related service agencies and centres operated in Toronto and, by extension, to the families that they serve.

Background Information
HL27.10 - Improving Children's Environmental Health in the Child Care Setting - Staff Report
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-26250.pdf)

HL27.10 - Improving Children's Environmental Health in the Child Care Setting - Attachment 1
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-26251.pdf)

Communications
(January 1, 2010) Submission from Toronto Public Health, entitled "Hidden Exposures: Informing pregnant women and families about harmful environmental exposures" (HL.New.HL27.10.1)
(January 1, 2010) Submission from Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment (CPCHE), entitled "Advancing Environmental Health in Child Care Settings: A Checklist for Child Care Practitoners and Public Health Inspectors" (HL.New.HL27.10.2)

HL27.11 

Information

Received 

 

Ward: All 

Biosolids Master Plan Update (All Wards)
Committee Decision

The Board of Health received Item 27.11 for information.

Origin
(December 11, 2009) Letter from City Clerk
Summary

City Council on November 30, December 1, 2, 4 and 7, 2009, adopted Item PW28.5 entitled "Biosolids Master Plan Update", as amended, and in so doing, has forwarded a copy to the Board of Health for information.

Background Information
HL27.11 - Biosolids Master Plan Update - Letter from City Clerk
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-26252.pdf)

HL27.11 - Biosolids Master Plan Update - Council Attachment
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-26253.pdf)

HL27.11 - Biosolids Master Plan Update - Staff Report
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-26264.pdf)

HL27.11 - Biosolids Master Plan Update - Attachment 1
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-26265.pdf)


HL27.12 

ACTION

Amended 

 

Ward: All 

Approved 2010 Schedule of Meetings
Committee Decision

The Board of Health amended the 2010 Schedule of Meetings for the Board of Health by scheduling an additional meeting to be held on November 22, 2010, so that the schedule of meetings for the remainder of 2010 is as follows:

 

February 16, 2010;

March 22, 2010;

May 3, 2010;

June 1, 2010;

August 20, 2010; and

November 22, 2010.

Summary

City Council on December 2, 2009, approved an amended Schedule of Meetings for 2010.

Background Information
HL27.12 - Approved 2010 Schedule of Meetings
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-26254.pdf)


Meeting Sessions
Session Date Session Type Start Time End Time Public or Closed Session
2010-01-18 Afternoon 1:15 PM 4:08 PM Public
Attendance
Members were present for some or all of the time period indicated.
Date and Time Quorum Members
2010-01-18
1:15 PM - 4:08 PM
(Public Session)
Present Present: Bravo, Chari, Cho, Davis, Filion (Chair), Lee, Nelson, O'Brien, Perks, Sterling, Wong
Not Present: Fletcher
Also present (non-members): McConnell