Our Health, Our City: Annual Progress Report 2024

This staff report provides an update on the current landscape, including the ongoing drug toxicity epidemic, as well as an overview of progress made in 2024 towards the implementation of the strategy, such as establishing the Our Health, Our City Implementation Panel, which includes representatives with lived and living experience of substance use and/or mental health challenges and a range of community partners. Over the last year, significant progress has been made towards the first-year priorities identified in the strategy. For example, the City has made advances on affordable and supportive housing, partners are taking steps to increase access to 24-7 crisis support services, and the Toronto Police Service has established a new pilot project to improve hospital transitions. Most notably, the Toronto Community Crisis Service has been expanded city-wide, which improves access to appropriate services and support for people in crisis. Partners across the City have demonstrated action in areas that are well-aligned with Our Health, Our City recommendations, as well as continued partnership and collaboration to advance the strategy. Some examples of divisional initiatives are highlighted in this report, and a comprehensive status overview is provided in Attachment 1: Our Health, Our City Status Overview 2024. The Our Health, Our City Implementation Panel was also established in September 2024 following a public application process, and this panel will provide ongoing advice to further implement the strategy, including exploring priority areas of action for the following years. Finally, this report also provides an update on recent actions to reduce harms specifically associated with cannabis, vaping, and smoking for youth. Toronto Public Health continues to provide an inspection and enforcement function, as well as health promotion, prevention, and education to reduce the harms associated with youth vaping. Children's Services, Economic, Development and Culture, Toronto Employment and Social Services, Fire Services, Municipal Licensing and Standards, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, Senior Services and Long-Term Care, Social Development, Finance and Administration, Toronto Paramedic Services, Toronto Police Services, Toronto Public Library, Toronto Shelter and Support Services, and Toronto Transit Commission were consulted in the development of this report. Parallel work on a co-developed Indigenous Wellness strategy is also underway at Toronto Public Health. An Indigenous Wellness Table and Indigenous Harm Reduction Circle with Indigenous-led service providers in the city were established and both groups continue to convene to advance Indigenous wellness, with a particular focus on harm reduction and promoting mental health and wellness.

b. Permit the co-location of Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hubs (HART Hubs) and Supervised Consumption Services and Consumption and Treatment Services sites to provide for life-saving medical services, primary care, and increased pathways to treatment services. 3. The Board of Health reiterate City Council's request to the Government of Ontario to consider the inclusion of Supervised Consumption Services in their new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment program proposals that demonstrate outcomes for life-saving medical services, primary care, and increased pathways to treatment services and that include mandatory neighbourhood and operational safety plans. 4. The Board of Health requests the Our Health, Our City Implementation Panel to provide advice on the next set of priority actions, and to especially consider recommendations related to alcohol and tobacco. 5. The Board of Health reiterate its request to the Government of Ontario to fund the proposal submitted to Ontario Health for the Substance Use Crisis Centre - Toronto (SCC-T).