City of Toronto Logo Decision Document



Board of Health


Meeting No. 34   Contact Candy Davidovits, Committee Administrator
Meeting Date Monday, November 22, 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 Minutes for the official record.

 

HL34.1 

Information

Amended 

 

Ward: All 

2010 Public Health Champion Awards
Committee Decision

The Board of Health:

 

1.          received, for information, the presentation by the Co-Chairs, Public Health Champion Awards Selection Committee; and

 

2.          congratulated the recipients of the 2010 Public Health Champion Awards:

 

            -           Sudha Coomarasamy, Health Promoter/Counsellor at St. Joseph’s Hospital Wellness Centre in the individual category; and

            -           The Stop Community Food Centre in the group/organization category.

Decision Advice and Other Information

Vaijayanthi Chari and Valerie Sterling, Co-Chairs, 2010 Public Health Champion Awards Selection Committee announced that the Selection Committee had decided to present the 2010 Public Health Champion Awards to the following:

 

-           The Stop Community Food Centre in the group/organization category; and

 

-           Sudharshana Coomarasamy (nee Rajasingam), Community Development Worker and Mental Health counsellor at the St. Joseph's Women's Health Centre and an active community volunteer, in the individual category.

 

The Chair of the Board of Health presented the 2010 Public Health Champion Awards to Kathryn Scharf, Program Director, The Stop Community Food Centre.  Ms. Scharf briefly addressed the Board of Health and thanked the Board for this award and for its continued support.

 

As the recipient of the 2010 Public Health Champion Awards in the individual category was not available at this time, the award in the individual category will be presented to Sudharshana Coomarasamy at a later date. 

Summary

The Co-Chairs of the Public Health Champion Awards Selection Committee to announce the

recipients of the 2010 Public Health Champion Awards.

Background Information
(November 22, 2010) News Release from Toronto Public Health
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-33971.pdf)

Speakers

Kathryn Scharf, Program Director, The Stop Community Food Centre


HL34.2 

ACTION

Amended 

 

Ward: All 

Cost of the Nutritious Food Basket – Toronto 2010
Committee Decision

The Board of Health:

 

1.         supported in principle the broad directions and process proposed by the Social Assistance Review Advisory Council (SARAC) for a comprehensive and timely review of Ontario's income security system;

 

2.         urged the provincial government to consult with the City of Toronto as an order of government, as well as key stakeholders from the health and social service sectors, including public health, through the process established to review Ontario's income security system and to complete this review as soon as possible; and

 

3.         forwarded this report to the following key stakeholders:  the General Managers of Shelter, Support and Housing Administration, Children’s Services, Employment and Social Services, Long-term Care Homes and Services, and Parks, Forestry and Recreation; the Ontario Minister of Health Promotion and Sport; the Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care; the Ontario Minister of Community and Social Services; the Ontario Minister of Children and Youth Services;  the Association of Local Public Health Agencies; the Ontario Public Health Association; Ontario Boards of Health; the Association of Ontario Health Centres; the Ontario Society of Nutrition Professionals in Public Health; Dietitians of Canada, all Toronto area MPPs and MPs; and the five Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) in the Greater Toronto area.

Origin
(November 5, 2010) Report from the Medical Officer of Health
Summary

The purpose of this report is to provide information on the cost of the Nutritious Food Basket in Toronto for 2010 and to advocate to the provincial government to undertake a comprehensive and timely review of Ontario's income security system, as recommended by the Social Assistance Review Advisory Council (SARAC) in their report entitled Recommendations for an Ontario Income Security Review www.accesson.ca/en/mcss/publications/social/socialServices.aspx.  The Nutritious Food Basket (NFB) is a survey tool that measures the cost of healthy eating and monitors the affordability and accessibility of nutritious foods by relating the cost of the food basket to individual/household incomes. In 2010, the average cost of the NFB for a reference family of four in Toronto is $165.19 per week ($715.28 per month), a slight increase of 0.6% as compared to the 2009 pricing survey.

Background Information
Cost of the Nutritious Food Basket - Toronto 2010 - Staff Report and Attachments 1 and 2
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-33845.pdf)


HL34.3 

ACTION

Amended 

 

Ward: All 

Ontario Tobacco Control Strategy 2011 - 2016
Committee Decision

The Board of Health:

 

1.         endorsed the Tobacco Strategy Advisory Group (TSAG) report entitled "Building on Our Gains, Taking Action Now: Ontario's Tobacco Control Strategy for 2011-2016" with the proviso that any recommendations relating to the Residential Tenancies Act require further discussion;

 

2.         asked the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Health Promotion and Sport, other members of the cabinet, in particular the Ministers of Health and Long-Term Care, Revenue and Finance and Toronto area Members of Parliament to reaffirm their commitment to a Smoke-Free Ontario by taking action on the Tobacco Strategy Advisory Group report's recommendations as soon as possible; and

 

3.         forwarded copies of these recommendations to the Co-Chairs of the Tobacco Strategy Advisory Group – George Pasut, Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion; and Jean Lamb, Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport; and to Michael Perley, Director, Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco.

 

Origin
(November 4, 2010) Report from the Medical Officer of Health
Summary

The purpose of this report is to seek Board of Health endorsement of the Tobacco Strategy Advisory Group (TSAG) report entitled "Building on Our Gains, Taking Action Now: Ontario's Tobacco Control Strategy for 2011-2016" http://www.mhp.gov.on.ca/en/smoke-free/TSAG%20Report.pdf and to recommend that the Premier, Minister of Health Promotion and Sport and Toronto Members of Provincial Parliament take action on this report.

 

Action on the report’s recommendations is particularly urgent because smoking rates have stopped declining.  While progressive actions by the Ontario government did achieve a 20 % reduction in consumption before the end of its first mandate, approximately 2.1 million Ontarians continue to smoke and provincial health care costs spent treating tobacco-induced illness have reached $1.6 billion annually.

The report presents a consensus among tobacco control experts and researchers in Ontario on steps needed to take to further control the tobacco epidemic during the next five years.

 

The report is based on four key principles:

 

1.   Continue to build on the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy

2.   Address both the supply of and demand for tobacco products

3.   Address the use of all tobacco products; and

4.   Take a “whole of government” approach.

Background Information
Ontario Tobacco Control Strategy 2011 - 2016 - Staff Report
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-33846.pdf)

Speakers

Councillor Michael Thompson, Ward 37 - Scarborough Centre


HL34.4 

Information

Amended 

 

Ward: All 

Toronto Bed Bug Project – 2010 Update
Committee Decision

The Board of Health:

 

1.         supported the previous request by the City of Toronto to the Province of Ontario for funding in the amount of $2,893,778 for bed bug control initiatives including funds for the hiring of a dedicated project manager, six Public Health Inspectors, three Public Health Nurses, five Social Service (TESS) case workers, an educator, a research analyst and enhancements to the Bug and Scrub extreme cleaning Program;

 

2.         requested the Medical Officer of Health to work with the City Manager to explore appropriate options for City funding for bed bug control initiatives as part of the City's 2011 Operating Budget including opportunities to maximize cost-shared approaches to increasing the sustainability of the bed-bug response; and

 

3.         requested the Medical Officer of Health to report to the Board of Health in February 2011, in consultation with the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC), with a status report on the TCHC Pilot Projects, including the findings of the effectiveness of the thermal treatments and the status of the provincial funding for bed bug control, and recommendations for further advancing the Toronto Bed Bug Strategy.

Origin
(November 5, 2010) Report from the Medical Officer of Health
Summary

On November 16, 2009, the Toronto Board of Health recommended that the Province provide targeted funding for bed bug control initiatives for low income and vulnerable populations.  In addition, the Board also recommended that the City Manager recognize bed bug control as a City-wide issue that required the appointment of a project coordinator and the participation of all Divisions, Agencies and key community partners.

 

This report provides an update on these recommendations and highlights the Toronto Bed Bug Project's achievements for 2010.

 

As with other major cities in North America, Toronto continues to experience an increased level of bed bug infestations and the most vulnerable populations in Toronto continue to be the most seriously impacted by these infestations.

 

Divisions within the City and community agencies in Toronto have responded to this re-emerging pest by developing partnerships, maximizing existing programs, and diverting resources from other funded programs. 

 

While this approach has provided important assistance to populations in need, given the volume of requests received and the resources currently available to support  this effort, it  is unsustainable at the intensity that may be required over the long term.

 

In order to adequately respond on a prolonged and intensive basis to what is proving to be a persistent and recurring issue, specific targeted support for bed bug control initiatives is required.

 

While the Province of Ontario has recently shown increasing willingness to engage on the bed bug issue more generally, to date the specific financial assistance requested by the City of Toronto has yet to be provided.

Background Information
Toronto Bed Bug Project - 2010 Update - Staff Report
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-33847.pdf)

Toronto Bed Bug Project - 2010 Update - Attachment 1
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-33863.pdf)

Toronto Bed Bug Project- 2010 Update - Attachment 2
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-33848.pdf)

Communications
(November 19, 2010) Letter from Councillor Paula Fletcher, Ward 30 - Toronto-Danforth (HL.New.34.4.1)
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/comm/communicationfile-18502.pdf)

(November 19, 2010) Letter from Ann Dembinski, President, CUPE Local 79 (HL.New.34.4.2)
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/comm/communicationfile-18503.pdf)


HL34.5 

Information

Received 

 

Ward: All 

Toronto Public Health Capital Budget Variance Report for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
Committee Decision

The Board of Health received Item HL34.5 for information.

Origin
(November 1, 2010) Report from the Medical Officer of Health
Summary

This report provides an update to the Board of Health on the Toronto Public Health (TPH) Capital Budget variance for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2010.

 

TPH spent $2.236 million or 38.1 percent of the 2010 approved cash flow of $5.870 million as of September 30, 2010.

 

The year-end capital expenditure is projected to be $3.617 million or 61.6 percent of the approved cash flow. 

Background Information
Toronto Public Health Capital Budget Variance Report for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 - Staff Report
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-33859.pdf)

Toronto Public Health Capital Budget Variance Report for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 - Attachment 1
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-33860.pdf)


HL34.6 

Information

Received 

 

Ward: All 

Toronto Public Health Operating Budget Variance Report for the Nine Months ended September 30, 2010
Committee Decision

The Board of Health received Item HL34.6 for information.

Origin
(November 1, 2010) Report from the Medical Officer of Health
Summary

This report provides an update to the Board of Health on Toronto Public Health’s (TPH) Operating Budget Variance for the nine months of operation ending on September 30, 2010.

 

Toronto Public Health’s operating budget was under spent by $455.9 thousand net or 1.5 percent for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2010. Much of this under-pending is due to a hiring slow down implemented for all City employees, including those who deliver public health services.  Due to the cost-sharing of public health services, the City’s cost containment measures result in Toronto Public Health losing $3 of provincial funding for each  $1 of  City cost saving.

 

Toronto Public Health gross expenditures were below budget by $3,703.5 thousand or 2.4 percent, attributable to the under spending of $2,475.0 thousand in Salaries and Benefits and $1,228.5 thousand in non payroll including utility costs.  Revenue was under achieved by $3,247.6 thousand due to under-expenditures in provincial cost-shared and fully funded programs, underachievement of Interdepartmental Revenue in the Investing in Families and Newcomer Initiative programs and under spending in Capital projects resulting in an unfavourable variance of transfer funds from Capital.

 

At year-end, Toronto Public Health expects to be under spent in gross expenditures by $1,884.2 thousand or 0.9 percent and below budget in revenue by $1,328.0 thousand or 0.8 percent resulting in $560.5 thousand net favourable variance or 1.3 percent. 

Background Information
Toronto Public Health Operating Budget Variance Report for the Nine Months ended September 30, 2010 - Staff Report
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-33856.pdf)

Toronto Public Health Operating Budget Variance Report for the Nine Months ended September 30, 2010 - Attachment 1
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-33857.pdf)


HL34.7 

Information

Received 

 

 

Local Health Committee Minutes
Committee Decision

The Board of Health received Item HL34.7 for information.

Summary

Local Health Committees submitting the following:

 

-           Minutes of the Scarborough Local Health Committee meeting held on June 21, 2010;

 

-           Minutes of the North York Local Health Committee meeting held on June 23, 2010; and

 

-           Minutes of the Scarborough Local Health Committee meeting held on September 7, 2010.

Background Information
Scarborough Local Health Committee Minutes - June 21, 2010
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-33849.pdf)

North York Local Health Committee Minutes - June 23, 2010
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-33850.pdf)

Scarborough Local Health Committee Minutes - September 7, 2010
(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2010/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-33851.pdf)


Meeting Sessions
Session Date Session Type Start Time End Time Public or Closed Session
2010-11-22 Afternoon 1:07 PM 2:42 PM Public
Attendance
Members were present for some or all of the time period indicated.
Date and Time Quorum Members
2010-11-22
1:07 PM - 2:42 PM
(Public Session)
Present Present: Alejandra Bravo, Eduardo Castro, Vaijayanthi Chari, Raymond Cho, Janet Davis, John Filion (Chair), Paula Fletcher, Fiona Nelson, Lisa O'Brien, Gord Perks, Valerie Sterling, Soo Wong
Not Present: Chin Lee
Also present (non-members): Michael Thompson