Toronto Public Health Invited to Co-Host the

50th Annual Conference of the

Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA)

The Board of Health recommends

The Board of Health submits the following report (May 4, 1998) from the Medical Officer of Health:

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to seek Board of Health endorsement to co-sponsor the 1999 OPHA Conference in Toronto and to inform the Board of the estimated resources required.

Funding:

None required.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that:

The Board of Health endorse this report and accept the invitation to co-host the 50th Annual Conference of the Ontario Public Health Association to be held in November 1999.

Council Reference /Background/History:

Each year the OPHA invites a different health unit in the province to co-host their annual conference with the OPHA. In 1999 two co-hosts, Toronto Public Health and the Centre for Health Promotion at the University of Toronto, have been invited to share the conference responsibilities with the OPHA. OPHA is an advocacy organization that represents issues of interest to community and public health workers in Ontario. With its constituent societies, it represents the interests of approximately 3000 members across the province.

In 1996, the (former) City of York Health Unit co-hosted the 47th Annual Conference (with only the OPHA as a partner) and it is, in part, on this experience that we will draw. The OPHA is financially responsible for any budget deficits that may occur in putting on the conference, but the co-hosts share equally in any budget surplus; in 1996 this surplus was over $15,000.00.

The contribution made by the co-hosts to the development of the conference is not in direct dollars, but in staff time.

Discussion:

Local economic development is supported by contracting as many conference services through local businesses as possible.

The staff resources required are shared responsibilities among the three co-hosts. The planning for the conference, which will be held in November 1999, must begin now. A theme must be developed, facilities for 500 to 700 people contracted and high caliber keynote speakers arranged. Committees must be struck to plan and implement the scientific program, fundraising, promotion/publicity, facilities, registration and other tasks. These committees will involve a number of people; between now and the conference the workload will be variable. One person will carry a heavier load for the Toronto Public Health portion of the commitment as the co-chair and will share responsibility with the other co-chair for co-coordination all activities related to the conference. It is estimated that the total staff commitment involved from Toronto Public Health is approximately 1.5 FTEs.

At the 1996 conference, staff, retired staff and Board of Health members from the former City of York Health Unit all volunteered to work in various capacities during the actual conference.

Staff participation in the planning and preparation of this conference is also an opportunity for growth and challenge in public health work. The annual conference has always been on the leading edge of OPHA activities. It has been the launching pad for all the Chief Medical Officer of Health Reports and each conference has taken a new or different twist to reflect the culture, climate and economy of the day. Recent keynote speakers have included economist David Foote, broadcaster Pamela Wallin and author John Ralston Saul.

The 1999 conference will be of special importance as the last conference before the millennium and the 50th anniversary of the OPHA. Furthermore, it will be an early opportunity to reflect on the progress and problems of public health as we will have nearly two years of downloading behind us, and the new millennium ahead. It is an honour for Toronto Public Health to be invited to co-host this event.

Conclusion:

The 1999 Conference is an opportunity for Toronto Public Health to showcase our new combined unit and participate in the selection of issues and themes to be discussed at this last pre-eminent forum of public health in Ontario in this century.

Contact Name:

Bill Mindell, Director of Health Services, York Office

Tel:394-2851

Fax:394-2907