Board of Health
The full agenda, as filed
All 6 items in the clerk’s order. Each carries the city’s own words: the staff recommendation, what the body decided, and its status. Nothing below is written by us.
HL1.1amended
Election of Chair for 2023 - Board of Health
Election of the Chair of the Board of Health under Part H, Section 22 of the Board of Health Procedures By-law, as amended, for a term of office starting January 16, 2023 and ending December 31, 2023, and until a successor is appointed.
The Board of Health: 1. Elected Director Chris Moise as Chair of the Board of Health for a term of office starting January 16, 2023 and ending December 31, 2023, and until a successor is appointed.
HL1.2amended
Election of Vice Chair for 2023 - Board of Health
Election of the Vice Chair of the Board of Health under Part H, Section 22 of the Board of Health Procedures By-law, as amended, for a term of office starting January 16, 2023 and ending December 31, 2023, and until a successor is appointed.
The Board of Health: 1. Elected Director Alejandra Bravo as Vice Chair of the Board of Health for a term of office starting January 16, 2023 and ending December 31, 2023, and until a successor is appointed.
HL1.3amended
Update on Toronto's Respiratory Viruses Season
The Medical Officer of Health will give a presentation on Update on Toronto's Respiratory Viruses Season.
Th Board of Health: 1. Requested the Medical Officer of Health to report to the Board of Health at the earliest possible opportunity with an update on the following: a. Update on progress related to directions set out in Item 2022.HL35.8, "Bringing a Public Health Lens to Indoor Ventilation Requirements", on ventilation; and b. Update on progress related to directions set out in Item 2022.HL39.1, "Update on COVID-19 Response and Other Public Health Issues", on masking.
HL1.4adopted
Update on 2023 Toronto Public Health Operating Budget Submission and Service Levels
At its November 8, 2022 meeting, the Board of Health requested additional information pertaining to the 2023 Toronto Public Health Operating Budget Submission. This report provides further details on the proposed confidential program efficiency included in that submission, as well as further information on Toronto Public Health's 2023 Service Levels (see Attachment 1). Toronto Public Health staff will address other requests for information via a presentation to the Board of Health.
The Board of Health: 1. Authorized the public release of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 30, 2022) from the Medical Officer of Health, once City Council's decision on Item 2022.HL39.2 has been communicated to Unions and affected staff. 2. Authorized the public release of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (October 28, 2022) from the Medical Officer of Health, under Item 2022.HL39.2, once City Council's decision on Item 2022.HL39.2 has been communicated to Unions and affected staff. 3. Requested the Medical Officer of Health to review existing Toronto Public Health service levels in light of lessons learned over the COVID-19 pandemic and report the findings to the Board of Health Budget Committee in the second quarter of 2023. Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 30, 2022) from the Medical Officer of Health is now public and can be accessed under Background Information. Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (October 28, 2022) from the Medical Officer of Health is now public and can be accessed under Background Information with Item HL39.2 .
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. The Board of Health authorize the public release of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (December 30, 2022) from the Medical Officer of Health, once City Council's decision on Item 2022.HL39.2 has been communicated to Unions and affected staff. 2. The Board of Health authorize the public release of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (October 28, 2022) from the Medical Officer of Health, under Item 2022.HL39.2, once City Council's decision on Item 2022.HL39.2 has been communicated to Unions and affected staff. 3. The Board of Health request the Medical Officer of Health to review existing Toronto Public Health service levels in light of lessons learned over the COVID-19 pandemic and report the findings to the Board of Health Budget Committee in the second quarter of 2023.
HL1.5adopted
Proposed 2023 Schedule of Board of Health Meetings
In accordance with Section 25 of the Board of Health Procedures By-law , regular meetings of the Board are determined by the Board and a schedule of those meetings shall be publicly available by the first meeting of the Board in each calendar year. On November 23 and 24, 2022, City Council considered Item ST1.2 , 2023 Schedule of Meetings, and approved the 2023 schedule of meetings for City Council and its Standing Committees. The schedule also included proposed 2023 meeting dates for the Board of Health. The updated meeting schedule can be viewed on the City of Toronto's website at www.toronto.ca/council .
The Board of Health: 1. Approved the following meeting dates for 2023: - Monday, January 16 at 9:30 a.m. - Tuesday, February 21 at 9:30 a.m. - Monday, April 17 at 9:30 a.m. - Monday, May 29 at 9:30 a.m. - Monday, June 26 at 9:30 a.m. - Monday, September 11 at 9:30 a.m. - Monday, October 23 at 9:30 a.m. - Monday, November 27 at 9:30 a.m.
Staff recommendation as filed
That the Board of Health approve the following meeting dates for 2023: - Monday, January 16 at 9:30 a.m. - Tuesday, February 21 at 9:30 a.m. - Monday, April 17 at 9:30 a.m. - Monday, May 29 at 9:30 a.m. - Monday, June 26 at 9:30 a.m. - Monday, September 11 at 9:30 a.m. - Monday, October 23 at 9:30 a.m. - Monday, November 27 at 9:30 a.m.
HL1.6adopted
Cold weather and the effects on those experiencing homelessness
The City of Toronto is facing a sharp increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness. Toronto's shelter system is unable to support the number of residents in need, placing extra pressures on the city's drop-in and warming centres. While the best Public Health outcome is to ensure all residents of Toronto have safe and secure housing, measures must be taken now to protect those individuals in need.
The Board of Health recommends that: 1. City Council declare a public health crisis in the City of Toronto based on systemic failure of all three levels of government to provide adequate 24-hour, drop-in and respite indoor spaces, and call for the immediate provision of safe, accessible 24-hour respite spaces that are accessible through walk-in access. 2. City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter Support and Housing Administration to provide 24/7 indoor warming locations until April 15, 2023, possibly including City of Toronto Warming Centres, and locations provided by community organizations, including faith-based groups, that would provide low-barrier, walk-in access to people in need of a safe place to spend the night.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Ausma Malik, Councillor Alejandra Bravo, and Councillor Gord Perks recommend that the Board of Health: 1. Direct the Medical Officer of Health to establish a working table, including physicians, medical experts who work with people experiencing homelessness, and people with lived experience, to conduct a review of the intersection of health and homelessness, and provide the results of the review and any recommendations to the Medical Officer of Health, for a report back to the Board at the earliest opportunity. 2. Request the Medical Officer of Health to support the General Manager, Shelter, Support and Housing Administration in their review of all policies and procedures related to the opening and operations of Emergency Warming Centres as directed in Item 2023.EC1.9 . 3. Recommend that City Council declare a public health crisis in the City of Toronto based on systemic failure of all three levels of government to provide adequate 24-hour, drop-in and respite indoor spaces, and call for the immediate provision of safe, accessible 24-hour respite spaces that are accessible through walk-in access. 4. Recommend that Toronto City Council direct the General Manager, Shelter Support and Housing Administration to provide 24/7 indoor warming locations until April 15, 2023, possibly including City of Toronto Warming Centres, and locations provided by community organizations, including faith-based groups, that would provide low-barrier, walk-in access to people in need of a safe place to spend the night.