News Release
February 1, 2024

Starting on Monday, February 5, the Toronto Board of Health (BOH) is inviting Toronto residents to participate in public consultations to help develop a new Strategic Plan to guide Toronto Public Health’s (TPH) work for the next four years.

The Strategic Plan will guide key TPH priorities as it maintains and improves the population’s health, reduces inequities and prepares for and responds to health emergencies affecting Toronto’s diverse population.

Torontonians can participate in the consultation process by:

  • Attending in-person sessions on February 5 at City Hall, 100 Queen St. W. The BOH Strategic Plan Development Committee is meeting in Committee Room 2 at 9:30 a.m. Residents are asked to register to speak by emailing boh@toronto.ca or calling 416-397-4592.
  • Attending a drop-in public consultation session held in Committee Room 4 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on February 5.
  • Completing the Strategic Plan survey from February 5 to March 17 located on the City’s website.

The Committee meeting can be watched live on the City’s website on February 5: https://secure.toronto.ca/council/#/committees/2864/25078.

Feedback collected during the public consultations will help shape the final Strategic Plan that will be presented to BOH members in Summer 2024. Residents who are unable to attend the in-person session or take the survey can send their feedback to TPHconsult@toronto.ca from February 5 to March 17.

The Strategic Plan will guide public health decision-making as required by the Ontario Public Health Standards (OPHS). As the largest local public health unit in Canada, TPH delivers public health services under the OPHS to meet community health needs, support the reduction of health inequalities and improve the health outcomes of the residents who live, work and play in Toronto.

In addition to the OPHS, TPH and the BOH operate under the Health Protection and Promotion Act , provincial legislation that sets out the mandate for municipal Boards of Health in Ontario. More information is available on the Government of Ontario’s website.

TPH’s strategic planning process is evidence-informed with input from the BOH Strategic Plan Development Committee leadership, TPH senior management and staff, subject matter experts, and health care and community partners.

The Strategic Plan will also be informed by:

  • Recent population health data and analysis including TPH’s 2023 Population Health Profile. Learn more about the Population Health Profiles by visiting the City’s website
  • Public Health sector best practices
  • Organizational lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Previous TPH strategic plans
  • Jurisdictional scans of other relevant strategic plans including those from public health, health care settings and private organizations.

More information on the TPH’s Strategic Plan and the planning process is available on the City’s website.

Quotes:

“The development of the new Strategic Plan for Toronto Public Health presents a valuable opportunity for the people of Toronto to identify what a healthier city for everyone looks like and how we can achieve that goal. I encourage all residents and community stakeholders to share their ideas and help shape the future of public health in our city.”
– Councillor Chris Moise (Toronto Centre), Chair of the Board of Health

“As Chair of the Board of Health Strategic Plan Development Committee, I look forward to hearing from Torontonians with their perspectives on developing our next Strategic Plan. Together, we can build a healthier city with a Strategic Plan that prioritizes equitable health outcomes and is responsive to our city’s diverse needs.”
– Councillor Alejandra Bravo (Davenport), Chair, Board of Health Strategic Plan Development Committee

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Toronto Public Health Media Relations