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.
HL28.1amended
Response to COVID-19 - May 2021 Update
The spread and impact of COVID-19 has never been greater in Toronto, with variants of concern increasing both the risk of transmission and the risk of serious illness or death. COVID-19 vaccination in Toronto and across Ontario is progressing well however, transmission of the virus is continuing to place significant strain on the healthcare system. Hospitalization rates in Toronto are the highest on record during the pandemic and are expected to increase. Without strengthened public health measures, data analysis and projections indicate it will take until late summer before a significant reduction in new case counts is observed in Toronto. It is imperative that all people in Toronto stay home as much as possible, wear a mask when outside the house and practise physical distancing with anyone not from the same household. This report provides an update on the COVID-19 pandemic locally and the status of the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations in Toronto. It also provides an update on how the City's COVID-19 response has included targeted measures for people with disabilities, including responding to outstanding recommendations from the November 2020 meeting of the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee. As directed by the Board of Health in March 2021, this report includes an update on COVID-19 related policies for those who live in long-term care and retirement homes. As directed by the Board of Health in December 2020, staff have updated the report, "Indirect Impact of COVID-19 and Associated Public Health Measures on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Toronto Residents", with data and research from the remainder of 2020. A summary of the findings is provided below, with a full report in Attachment 1.
The Board of Health recommends that: 1. City Council acknowledge and thank Toronto's Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines for their important contributions toward an equitable immunization campaign and request the Medical Officer of Health, in consultation with the Fire Chief and General Manager - Emergency Management and Toronto's COVID-19 Incident Commander and the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, to advance, as appropriate, the following recommendations from Toronto's Accessibility Task Force on COVID-19 Vaccines with the City of Toronto and the Government of Ontario: a. a simplified, centralized vaccine booking process that includes disability-related priority groups and navigation supports for disabled people; b. accessibility and accommodations training for staff at vaccine clinics to appropriately provide accommodations and care from a human rights perspective; c. accessible clinic locations that include private, quiet spaces available for those who require this as an accommodation and other accommodations, as requested; d. disability-specific clinics, such as mobile, drive through and pop-up community clinics, that are appropriately resourced to ensure that these options are offered in a timely fashion; e. prioritized access to in-home vaccination through existing mobile vaccination outreach methods, including Emergency Medical Services and Ontario Health Teams-mediated mobile vaccination efforts; and f. clear communication and navigation resources in accessible formats, such as Braille, plain language and American Sign Language, that are specific to people with disabilities and include information about their eligibility and how to access vaccines.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. The Board of Health request the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Long-Term Care, and the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility to consider updating guidance for long-term care and retirement homes to maximize quality of life for residents, where there are high rates of vaccination and where there are appropriate safety measures and conditions in place, to permit additional and fully vaccinated visitors, increase group and social activities, including opportunities for congregate dining, and allow off-site visits for fully vaccinated residents. 2. The Board of Health request the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Long-Term Care, and the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility to analyze a wide range of data associated with long-term care homes and retirement homes, to inform future COVID-19 public health measures for residents. 3. The Board of Health direct that this report be forwarded to the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Long-Term Care, and the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility for consideration. 4. The Board of Health direct that this report be forwarded to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee for consideration.
HL28.2amended
2021 Student Nutrition Program Service Subsidies
This report outlines recommendations for the 2021 Student Nutrition Program service subsidy allocations. The proposed combined allocations to the Angel Foundation for Learning (AFL) and the Toronto Foundation for Student Success (TFSS) total $16,407,857 which includes $276,006 held in reserve for appeals/late applications.
The Board of Health recommends that: 1. City Council request the Federal Government to provide ongoing core funding for a universal national school food program. 2. City Council request the Provincial Government to increase its grant funding investment proportionally to match the increased City of Toronto investment. 3. City Council authorize the Medical Officer of Health to enter into agreements totalling $16,407,857 with the Angel Foundation for Learning ($4,335,993) and the Toronto Foundation for Student Success ($12,071,864) to administer the 2021 approved municipal funding to eligible student nutrition programs across the City of Toronto. 4. City Council authorize the Medical Officer of Health to take the necessary actions to give effect to Recommendation 3 above, including the execution of legal agreements with the Angel Foundation for Learning and the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, on behalf of the City of Toronto.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. City Council authorize the Medical Officer of Health to enter into agreements totalling $16,407,857 with the Angel Foundation for Learning ($4,335,993) and the Toronto Foundation for Student Success ($12,071,864) to administer the 2021 approved municipal funding to eligible student nutrition programs across the City of Toronto. 2. City Council authorize the Medical Officer of Health to take the necessary actions to give effect to Recommendation 1 above, including the execution of legal agreements with the Angel Foundation for Learning and the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, on behalf of the City of Toronto. 3. City Council and the Board of Health request the Federal Government to provide core funding for a national school food program. 4. City Council and the Board of Health request the Provincial Government to increase its grant funding investment proportionally to match the increased City of Toronto investment. 5. The Board of Health direct that this report be forwarded to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, the Minister of Health, the Minister of Education, the Toronto District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board, le Conseil scolaire Viamonde, le Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir, the Angel Foundation for Learning, and the Toronto Foundation for Student Success.
HL28.3adopted
Service Agreement with Sinai Health System for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program
On November 20, 2019, the Government of Ontario launched the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP), a 100 percent Ministry of Health funded program for low-income seniors in Ontario. Through this program, Toronto Public Health provides dental treatment to eligible seniors at clinics located in Toronto Public Health sites, Community Health Centres (CHC) and Aboriginal Health Access Centres (AHAC). The purpose of this report is to request approval for the Medical Officer of Health to award, execute, and amend, on an ongoing basis, a purchase of service contract with Sinai Health System to further support the service delivery and access to care for the OSDCP.
The Board of Health recommends that: 1. City Council authorize the Medical Officer of Health to award, execute and amend, on an ongoing basis, a purchase of service contract for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program with Sinai Health System, in a form approved by the City Solicitor.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. City Council authorize the Medical Officer of Health to award, execute, and amend, on an ongoing basis, a purchase of service contract for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program with Sinai Health System, in a form approved by the City Solicitor.
HL28.4adopted
Toronto Public Health Operating Budget Variance - Twelve Months Ended December 2020
This report provides an update to the Board of Health on the Toronto Public Health (TPH) Operating Budget Variance for the twelve months ended on December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, TPH's net expenditure was under budget by $8.8 million (12.3 percent).
The Board of Health: 1. Received the report (April 25, 2021) from the Medical Officer of Health for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. The Board of Health receive this report for information.
HL28.5adopted
Toronto Public Health Capital Budget Variance - Twelve Months Ended December 2020
This report provides an update to the Board of Health on the Toronto Public Health Capital Budget Variance for the year ended on December 31, 2020. As of December 31, 2020, Toronto Public Health spent $1,587.3 thousand representing 25.5 percent of the 2020 Approved Capital Budget of $6,217.3 thousand. The majority of planned 2020 capital projects were deferred due to resources being deployed to support Toronto Public Health's COVID-19 response.
The Board of Health: 1. Received the report (April 25, 2021) from the Medical Officer of Health for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. The Board of Health receive this report for information.
HL28.6received
Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) - May 2021 Update
Director Kate Mulligan, the Board of Health's appointee to the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) Board of Directors and Board of Health Section, will provide a verbal update.
The Board of Health: 1. Received the letter (April 26, 2021) from Councillor Joe Cressy for information.