Board of Health
The full agenda, as filed
All 11 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.
HL9.1amended
T.O. Health Check: An Overview of Toronto's Population Health Status
Toronto Public Health (TPH) is responsible for assessing and reporting on the health status of the city's population. Similar to how a clinician uses a diagnosis to develop a treatment plan, a health status assessment contributes to a body of information that is used by public health to develop strategic goals to achieve its mandate to improve the health of all who live in Toronto. The T.O. Health Check report provides an overview of the city's health status using available and relevant local data to help understand and inform the collective health needs of Torontonians. A wide array of population health indicators are included and organized by areas of public health concern. Results for Toronto are compared over time or to other regions and health inequities are highlighted. This staff report provides an overview of the key findings of T.O. Health Check; full details can be found in Attachment 1. The T.O. Health Check report reveals both positive and negative results with respect to the health of Torontonians. On the positive side, 62 percent of Torontonians rate their health as very good or excellent, a result that is at the higher end of the range for health units in Ontario. Life expectancy is also higher in Toronto than in the rest of Ontario, with women typically living to age 86 and men to age 82. However, health outcomes are not the same for everyone. Health inequities exist in the city, and some populations fare worse in a number of areas of health. For example, people with lower incomes are at greater risk for chronic diseases and higher rates of premature mortality. The purpose of T.O. Health Check is to provide a foundation to guide strategic discussions toward the public health goals of improving health and reducing health inequities. TPH is actively working with allied health and other partners who have the potential to impact the health of the city to develop a comprehensive strategy for more rigorous data collection and analysis to further these efforts.
The Board of Health: 1. Requested the federal and provincial Ministries of Health and Toronto-based parties developing Ontario Health Teams to prioritize the collection and use of socio-demographic and race-based data and to commit to developing and sharing health equity and anti-oppression strategies.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. The Board of Health receive this report for information.
HL9.2amended
Moving to Acceptance: Toronto Public Health's Strategy to Address Vaccine Hesitancy
Vaccine hesitancy, the reluctance or refusal to vaccinate despite the availability of vaccines, is a growing concern in Canada. It stems, in large part, from misinformation about vaccines that spreads on social media platforms and the Internet. This staff report responds to the request for the Medical Officer of Health to report to the September 2019 meeting of the Board of Health with a strategy to address vaccine hesitancy. To respond to this growing threat and address the root causes of vaccine hesitancy and maintain high vaccination rates, Toronto Public Health has developed a comprehensive strategy that involves health care providers, parents, students, educators, and government agencies at the provincial and national levels. The strategy includes communication and education resources on multiple platforms that are accessible and user-friendly. It also includes recommendations to the provincial government to improve the availability and integration of electronic immunization systems and policy changes to improve vaccine acceptance. To strengthen the transparency surrounding vaccine safety, the establishment of a Vaccine Injury Compensation Program should be considered as well as more publicly-accessible data on adverse events following immunization. Finally, recommendations are made to regulate social media platforms and search engines and to enhance advertising standards in Canada to prevent and reduce the circulation of misinformation about the safety and effectiveness of vaccines.
The Board of Health: 1. Requested the provincial Minister of Health to: a. In keeping with the recommendations from the Premier's Council on Improving Healthcare and Ending Hallway Medicine: 1. ensure that the digital health immunization record is available to the local health care provider, patient and/or guardian, and local public health unit; 2. set immunization coverage targets for the newly forming Ontario Health Teams and all primary care providers to promote accountability and monitoring of vaccination rates at the local level; 3. enable Health Quality Ontario to create personalized reports for local health care providers on vaccination rates in their practices; and 4. provide financial incentives to promote vaccinations for local health care providers. b. Consider removing philosophical and religious exemptions under the Immunization of School Pupils Act and only accept medical exemptions completed by a certified health care provider. c. Consider developing a provincial Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to strengthen vaccine safety and support those few individuals who may have a serious side effect from a vaccine. d. Increase the functionality of Panorama, where the digital health immunization records are housed, to allow: 1. reporting of vaccines directly into Panorama at the time the vaccine is administered; 2. analysis at the local level to determine areas of low vaccination coverage, including geographic and equity disparities; and 3. reminder notifications to be sent automatically when a vaccination is due for a child. e. Request the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario to share with Toronto Public Health the email addresses of Toronto physicians to allow Toronto Public Health staff to provide timely resources to physicians to address vaccine hesitancy. 2. Requested Health Canada to: a. consider developing a national Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to strengthen vaccine safety and support those few individuals who may have a serious side effect from a vaccine; and b. introduce legislation to restrict inaccurate and misleading anti-vaccine messaging that is targeted to the public. 3. Requested the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario to develop a best practice guideline on vaccine hesitancy and misinformation for nurses. 4. Requested all Toronto school boards and the Ministry of Education to adopt Kids Boost Immunity or develop a similar curriculum on vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases for all elementary schools. 5. Requested Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada to increase the transparency of the safety of vaccines by: a. providing a publicly-available and searchable online database of aggregate reports from the Canadian Adverse Events Following Immunization Surveillance System; and b. reviewing the information provided in the Product Monograph of vaccines to streamline the content and provide only clinically-relevant safety data. 6. Requested Advertising Standards Canada (Ad Standards) to revise their Canadian Code of Advertising Standards to discourage advertisements that contain false and misleading statements against vaccines. 7. Requested major search engines and social media organizations, including Facebook, Google, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram, to adopt the Priorities for Action from the Salzburg Statement on Vaccination Acceptance, namely to: a. develop principles that distinguish "levels of evidence" in the vaccine information they provide so that they can improve identification of disproven/inaccurate, false claims about vaccine safety for their users that have led to the return of childhood diseases, just as they do for sexually explicit, violent, and threatening messages; and b. include information from robust scientific sources, particularly as unscientific misinformation puts vulnerable babies, cancer patients of all ages, and immune-compromised individuals at unnecessary and avoidable risk of serious complications, long-term disability, and the potential for death. 8. Directed that the report (September 9, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health be forwarded to the Association of Canadian Advertisers, the Association of Local Public Health Agencies, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, the Canadian Marketing Association, the Canadian Medical Association, the Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health, the Ontario Medical Association, the Ontario Nurses' Association, the Ontario Public Health Association, and Public Health Ontario.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. The Board of Health request the provincial Minister of Health to: a. In keeping with the recommendations from the Premier's Council on Improving Healthcare and Ending Hallway Medicine: 1. ensure that the digital health immunization record is available to the local health care provider, patient and/or guardian, and local public health unit; 2. set immunization coverage targets for the newly forming Ontario Health Teams and all primary care providers to promote accountability and monitoring of vaccination rates at the local level; 3. enable Health Quality Ontario to create personalized reports for local health care providers on vaccination rates in their practices; and 4. provide financial incentives to promote vaccinations for local health care providers. b. Consider removing philosophical and religious exemptions under the Immunization of School Pupils Act and only accept medical exemptions completed by a certified health care provider. c. Consider developing a provincial Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to strengthen vaccine safety and support those few individuals who may have a serious side effect from a vaccine. d. Increase the functionality of Panorama, where the digital health immunization records are housed, to allow: 1. reporting of vaccines directly into Panorama at the time the vaccine is administered; 2. analysis at the local level to determine areas of low vaccination coverage, including geographic and equity disparities; and 3. reminder notifications to be sent automatically when a vaccination is due for a child. e. Request the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario to share with Toronto Public Health the email addresses of Toronto physicians to allow Toronto Public Health staff to provide timely resources to physicians to address vaccine hesitancy. 2. The Board of Health request Health Canada to consider developing a national Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to strengthen vaccine safety and support those few individuals who may have a serious side effect from a vaccine. 3. The Board of Health request the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario to develop a best practice guideline on vaccine hesitancy and misinformation for nurses. 4. The Board of Health request all Toronto school boards and the Ministry of Education to adopt Kids Boost Immunity or develop similar curriculum on vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases for all elementary schools. 5. The Board of Health request Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada to increase the transparency of the safety of vaccines by: a. providing a publicly-available and searchable online database of aggregate reports from the Canadian Adverse Events Following Immunization Surveillance System; and b. reviewing the information provided in the Product Monograph of vaccines to streamline the content and provide only clinically-relevant safety data. 6. The Board of Health request Ad Standards Canada to revise their Canadian Code of Advertising Standards to discourage advertisements that contain false and misleading statements against vaccines. 7. The Board of Health request major search engines and social media organizations, including Facebook, Google, Pinterest, Twitter, and Instagram, to adopt the Priorities for Action from the Salzburg Statement on Vaccination Acceptance, namely to: a. develop principles that distinguish "levels of evidence" in the vaccine information they provide so that they can improve identification of disproven/inaccurate, false claims about vaccine safety for their users that have led to the return of childhood diseases, just as they do for sexually explicit, violent, and threatening messages; and b. include information from robust scientific sources, particularly as unscientific misinformation puts vulnerable babies, cancer patients of all ages, and immune-compromised individuals at unnecessary and avoidable risk of serious complications, long-term disability, and the potential for death. 8. The Board of Health forward this report to Public Health Ontario, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, the Canadian Marketing Association, the Association of Canadian Advertisers, the Ontario Public Health Association, the Association of Local Public Health Agencies, the Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health, the Ontario Medical Association, the Canadian Medical Association, and the Ontario Nurses' Association.
HL9.3adopted
Canada's New Food Guide - Implications and Opportunities for Action
Canada's new Food Guide, released by Health Canada in January 2019, presents a practical, scientific approach to healthy eating. Health Canada also released Canada's Dietary Guidelines for revising programs and policies to reflect the new Food Guide, in particular those that are government funded. The Food Guide recommends eating a variety of nutritious foods each day focusing on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins and limiting highly-processed foods. It acknowledges that a range of culturally-diverse foods can make up a healthy diet. For the first time, Canada's Dietary Guidelines recognize the relationship between food consumption and the environment. Based on the most recent evidence, it recommends to the public how to eat to meet health as well as environmental goals. Finally, the new Food Guide acknowledges that nutrition concerns more than what people eat. It is also determined by environmental factors, including marketing, food skills, and food literacy. Canada's Dietary Guidelines are a collection of health and environmental principles and also a declaration of shared responsibility and a call to action to stakeholders across the country to pursue policy initiatives that will improve the food environment and reduce long-standing barriers to healthy eating, while also reducing environmental impacts. The updates to Canada's new Food Guide and Dietary Guidelines provide an opportunity for the City of Toronto to review food-related programs and policies and to consider new actions that will actively promote healthy eating and healthy food environments.
The Board of Health: 1. Commended the federal Minister of Health on the new Canada's Food Guide which will promote a more sustainable food system and support Canadians in making healthier food choices. 2. In recognition of the scientific dietary guidance upon which the new Canada's Food Guide is based, requested the Medical Officer of Health to: a. collaborate with relevant City Divisions (Solid Waste Management Services, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, Children's Services, Seniors Services and Long-Term Care, Corporate Real Estate Management, Purchasing and Materials Management, and City Planning) and organizations in the City of Toronto on working towards alignment with Canada's Dietary Guidelines; b. collaborate with the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, on promoting water as the beverage of choice in the City of Toronto's facilities by incorporating drinking fountains and water bottle filling stations, as appropriate, in redevelopment, state of good repair, and new development projects and supporting the development of a Food and Beverage Policy; c. collaborate with the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, on supporting their work to reduce single-use and takeaway items, as it relates to Canada's Dietary Guidelines on sustainable food consumption; and d. collaborate with the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and the Chief Purchasing Officer on supporting their work to implement circular procurement as it relates to Canada's Dietary Guidelines on sustainable food consumption. 3. In recognition of the social and environmental factors influencing healthy eating, as outlined in the new Canada's Dietary Guidelines: a. requested the Medical Officer of Health to report in the fall of 2019 on the accessibility and affordability of healthy food and the state of food insecurity in Toronto; b. urged the Province of Ontario to pass provincial Bill 60, An Act to amend the Ministry of Community and Social Services Act to establish the Social Assistance Research Commission, in order to establish a mechanism to account for the cost of healthy eating when social assistance rates are revised; and c. continued to support the intent of federal Bill S-228, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibiting food and beverage marketing directed at children) with other health organizations.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. The Board of Health commend the federal Minister of Health on the new Canada's Food Guide which will promote a more sustainable food system and support Canadians in making healthier food choices. 2. The Board of Health, in recognition of the scientific dietary guidance upon which the new Canada's Food Guide is based, request the Medical Officer of Health to: a. collaborate with relevant City Divisions (Solid Waste Management Services, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, Children's Services, Seniors Services and Long-Term Care, Corporate Real Estate Management, Purchasing and Materials Management, and City Planning) and organizations in the City of Toronto on working towards alignment with Canada's Dietary Guidelines; b. collaborate with the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, on promoting water as the beverage of choice in the City of Toronto's facilities by incorporating drinking fountains and water bottle filling stations, as appropriate, in redevelopment, state-of-good repair, and new development projects and supporting the development of a Food and Beverage Policy; c. collaborate with the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, on supporting their work to reduce single-use and takeaway items, as it relates to Canada's Dietary Guidelines on sustainable food consumption; and d. collaborate with the General Manager, Solid Waste Management Services, and the Chief Purchasing Officer on supporting their work to implement circular procurement as it relates to Canada's Dietary Guidelines on sustainable food consumption. 3. The Board of Health, in recognition of the social and environmental factors influencing healthy eating, as outlined in the new Canada's Dietary Guidelines: a. request the Medical Officer of Health to report back in the fall of 2019 on the accessibility and affordability of healthy food and the state of food insecurity in Toronto; b. urge the Province of Ontario to pass provincial Bill 60, An Act to amend the Ministry of Community and Social Services Act to establish the Social Assistance Research Commission, in order to establish a mechanism to account for the cost of healthy eating when social assistance rates are revised; and c. continue to support the intent of federal Bill S-228, An Act to amend the Food and Drugs Act (prohibiting food and beverage marketing directed at children) with other health organizations.
HL9.4adopted
Establishment of Toronto Urban Health Fund Indigenous Review Panel
The Toronto Urban Health Fund provides funding to community-based organizations to implement HIV and substance misuse prevention programming. In September 2019, the Toronto Urban Health Fund will launch a new Indigenous Funding Stream which will provide access to a culturally-safe funding model for Indigenous organizations. This staff report seeks approval of the formation of the Toronto Urban Health Fund Indigenous Review Panel, which is the body that will guide funding allocations for this new funding stream and the Terms of Reference for the Panel.
The Board of Health: 1. Established the Toronto Urban Health Fund Indigenous Review Panel comprised of five members with a mandate to review and evaluate funding proposal submissions related to the new Indigenous Funding Stream on HIV prevention, harm reduction, and child and youth resiliency and to propose allocation recommendations to the Board of Health, in conjunction with Toronto Public Health staff, as outlined in the Terms of Reference in Attachment 1 to the report (September 9, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. The Board of Health establish the Toronto Urban Health Fund Indigenous Review Panel comprised of five members with a mandate to review and evaluate funding proposal submissions related to the new Indigenous Funding Stream on HIV prevention, harm reduction, and child and youth resiliency and propose allocation recommendations to the Board of Health, in conjunction with Toronto Public Health staff, as outlined in the Terms of Reference set out in Attachment 1.
HL9.5adopted
Toronto Public Health Operating Budget Variance for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
At its meeting on September 3, 2019, the Board of Health Budget Committee considered Item HU3.1, Toronto Public Health Operating Budget Variance for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2019.
The Board of Health received the report (August 28, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Board of Health Budget Committee recommends to the Board of Health that: 1. The report (August 28, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health be received for information.
HL9.6adopted
Toronto Public Health Capital Budget Variance for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
At its meeting on September 3, 2019, the Board of Health Budget Committee considered Item HU3.2, Toronto Public Health Capital Budget Variance for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2019.
The Board of Health received the report (August 19, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health for information.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Board of Health Budget Committee recommends to the Board of Health that: 1. The report (August 19, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health be received for information.
HL9.7adopted
At its meeting on September 3, 2019, the Board of Health Budget Committee considered Item HU3.3, Enhancement to Toronto Public Health's 2019 Operating Budget for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program.
The Board of Health recommends that: 1. City Council increase the Toronto Public Health 2019 Operating Budget by $2,111.0 thousand gross, $0 net, and 52 permanent positions to be used for pre-implementation and implementation costs associated with delivering the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Board of Health Budget Committee recommends to the Board of Health that: 1. City Council increase the 2019 Operating Budget for Toronto Public Health by $2,111.0 thousand gross, $0 net, and 52 permanent positions to be used for pre-implementation and implementation costs associated with delivering the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program.
HL9.8adopted
Toronto Public Health 2020-2029 Capital Budget and Plan Request
This report provides an overview of the Toronto Public Health 2020 Capital Budget and 2021-2029 Plan Request. Toronto Public Health (TPH) is recommending a 2020-2029 Capital Budget and Plan of $29.835 million including a 2020 Capital Budget of $2.676 million with future year commitments of $5.035 million and future year estimates of $22.124 million. This 10-Year Capital Budget and Plan Request will provide funding for twenty-two Information Technology projects.
The Board of Health recommends to the Budget Committee that: 1. City Council approve the Toronto Public Health 2020 Capital Budget Request with a total project cost increase of $5.672 million for a 2020 cash flow of $2.676 million and future year commitments of $5.035 million. 2. City Council approve the Toronto Public Health 2020-2029 Capital Plan Request totalling $22.124 million in project estimates, comprised of $2.657 million in 2021, $4.144 million in 2022, $4.582 million in 2023, $2.241 million in 2024, $1.700 million in 2025, $1.700 million in 2026, $1.700 million in 2027, $1.700 million in 2028, and $1.700 million in 2029.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. The Board of Health request City Council approve the Toronto Public Health 2020 Capital Budget Request with a total project cost increase of $5.672 million for a 2020 cash flow of $2.676 million and future year commitments of $5.035 million. 2. The Board of Health request City Council approve the Toronto Public Health 2020-2029 Capital Plan Request totalling $22.124 million in project estimates, comprised of $2.657 million in 2021, $4.144 million in 2022, $4.582 million in 2023, $2.241 million in 2024, $1.700 million in 2025, $1.700 million in 2026, $1.700 million in 2027, $1.700 million in 2028, and $1.700 million in 2029. 3. The Board of Health refer this report to the Budget Committee for consideration during the 2020 budget process.
HL9.9amended
Toronto Public Health 2020 Operating Budget Request
This report outlines the Toronto Public Health (TPH) 2020 Operating Budget Submission for consideration by the Board of Health. Toronto Public Health's 2020 Operating Budget Submission totals $269,629.5 thousand gross, $69,821.3 thousand net, and 1,919.2 positions. This submission is $12,900.2 thousand gross, $5,944.6 thousand net above the 2019 Operating Budget and reflects a reduction of 13 positions. The gross increase of $12,900.2 thousand from the 2019 Operating Budget is predominately related to the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program. The net increase of $5,944.6 thousand from the 2019 Operating Budget is predominantly related to the impact of changes announced by the Province regarding the modernization of the public health sector ($4,357.7 thousand); an increase for the Student Nutrition Program to address the increased cost of food ($1,099.5 thousand); and an increase for the Student Nutrition Program - Independent Schools ($303.0 thousand). The 2020 Operating Budget Submission includes 2020 base changes, efficiencies, a service enhancement and 2019 in-year changes, pending Council approval, as detailed in the recommendations included in this report.
The Board of Health recommends to the Budget Committee that: 1. City Council request the Province of Ontario to reverse the cuts to public health funding in Ontario. 2. City Council approve the Toronto Public Health 2020 Operating Budget Request of $269,684.5 thousand gross, $69,876.3 thousand net, and 1,919.2 positions, as summarized in Table 1, Overview of the Toronto Public Health 2020 Operating Budget Submission, to the report (September 19, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health, which includes the following: a. an increase from the Toronto Public Health 2019 Operating Budget of $1,099.5 thousand gross and net to address inflationary cost increases to the Student Nutrition Program; b. a decrease from the Toronto Public Health 2019 Operating Budget of $657.2 thousand gross, an increase from the Toronto Public Health 2019 Operating Budget of $184.4 thousand net, and a reduction from the Toronto Public Health 2019 Operating Budget of 22 positions for 2020 Administrative Adjustments, as summarized in Table 2, 2020 Administrative and Technical Adjustments, to the report (September 19, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health; c. an increase from the Toronto Public Health 2019 Operating Budget of $13,432.3 thousand gross, $0 net, and 38 positions for the 100 percent Ministry of Health-funded Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program; d. an increase from the Toronto Public Health 2019 Operating Budget of $10.0 thousand gross and $0 net for the 100 percent Ministry of Health-funded Public Health Inspector Practicum Program; e. a decrease from the Toronto Public Health 2019 Operating Budget of $270.8 thousand gross, $0 net, and one position for programs funded by the Ministry of Health in 2019 on a one-time basis; f. an increase from the Toronto Public Health 2019 Operating Budget of $4,324.2 thousand net to address the change in the provincial-municipal cost-sharing funding ratio and to secure the maximum available one-time mitigation funding from the Ministry of Health; g. three budget reduction proposals totalling $1,643.1 thousand gross and net related to the Municipal Dental Program, the Enhanced Safe Water Initiative, and the Enhanced Food Safety - Haines Initiative, as summarized in Table 6, Budget Reduction Proposals, to the report (September 19, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health; h. 2020 Budget reduction proposals 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 10, as summarized in Confidential Attachment 1, Proposals to Address Funding Pressures, to the report (September 19, 2019) from the Medical Officer of Health; and i. an increase from the Toronto Public Health 2019 Operating Budget of $55.0 thousand gross and net for Creating Health Plus.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. The Board of Health request City Council approve the Toronto Public Health 2020 Operating Budget Request of $269,629.5 thousand gross, $69,821.3 thousand net, and 1,919.2 positions, as summarized in Table 1, Overview of the Toronto Public Health 2020 Operating Budget Submission, which includes the following: a. an increase from the Toronto Public Health 2019 Operating Budget of $1,099.5 thousand gross and net to address inflationary cost increases to the Student Nutrition Program; b. a decrease from the Toronto Public Health 2019 Operating Budget of $657.2 thousand gross, an increase from the Toronto Public Health 2019 Operating Budget of $184.4 thousand net, and a reduction from the Toronto Public Health 2019 Operating Budget of 22 positions for 2020 Administrative Adjustments, as summarized in Table 2, 2020 Administrative and Technical Adjustments; c. an increase from the Toronto Public Health 2019 Operating Budget of $13,432.3 thousand gross, $0 net, and 38 positions for the 100 percent Ministry of Health-funded Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program; d. an increase from the Toronto Public Health 2019 Operating Budget of $10.0 thousand gross and $0 net for the 100 percent Ministry of Health-funded Public Health Inspector Practicum Program; e. a decrease from the Toronto Public Health 2019 Operating Budget of $270.8 thousand gross, $0 net, and one position for programs funded by the Ministry of Health in 2019 on a one-time basis; f. an increase from the Toronto Public Health 2019 Operating Budget of $4,324.2 thousand net to address the change in the provincial-municipal cost-sharing funding ratio and to secure the maximum available one-time mitigation funding from the Ministry of Health; g. three budget reduction proposals totalling $1,643.1 thousand gross and net related to the Municipal Dental Program, Enhanced Safe Water Initiative, and Enhanced Food Safety - Haines Initiative, as summarized in Table 6, Budget Reduction Proposals; and h. 2020 Budget reduction proposals 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 10, as summarized in Confidential Attachment 1, Proposals to Address Funding Pressures. 2. The Board of Health direct the Medical Officer of Health to absorb $480.5 thousand gross and $0 net in salary and benefit increases in the Toronto Public Health 2020 Operating Budget Request related to 100 percent Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services-funded programs. 3. The Board of Health direct that the confidential information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 remain confidential in its entirety, as it relates to personal matters about identifiable individuals, including municipal or local board employees, and labour relations or employee negotiations. 4. The Board of Health refer this report to the Budget Committee for consideration during the 2020 budget process.
HL9.10adopted
Health Concerns Associated with Vapour Products
Recently, there have been several reports in the United States of people suffering from pulmonary illness, and at least one death, related to the use of vaping products. On September 18, 2019, the first incidence of this kind was reported in London, Ontario. The use of vapour products has been on the rise significantly over the past number of years, with little known about the potential negative health impacts for all members of our communities. Given the growing concerns about the possible health impacts associated with the use of vapour products, I am respectfully requesting an update from the Medical Officer of Health on the issue and further discussion at the Board later this year.
The Board of Health: 1. Requested the Medical Officer of Health to provide an update to the Board of Health during its meeting on September 23, 2019 on the health concerns associated with the use of vapour products. 2. Requested the Medical Officer of Health to report to the Board of Health at its meeting on December 9, 2019 with a review of the health impacts of vaping and recommendations including, but not limited to, the marketing, advertising, and availability of vaping products, the impacts on youth, data monitoring and dissemination, and recommended actions for all levels of government.
Staff recommendation as filed
Councillor Joe Cressy recommends that: 1. The Board of Health request the Medical Officer of Health to provide an update to the Board during its meeting on September 23, 2019 on the health concerns associated with the use of vapour products. 2. The Board of Health request the Medical Officer of Health to report back to the Board at its meeting on December 9, 2019 with a review of the health impacts of vaping and recommendations including, but not limited to, the marketing, advertising, and availability of vaping products, the impacts on youth, data monitoring and dissemination, and recommended actions for all levels of government.
HL9.11adopted
The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has announced a call for proposals for a Planning Grant for Implementing Healthy Urban Policy. The maximum amount awarded for each grant is $0.065 million. The purpose of the grant is to design active transportation and public space interventions. In addition, the grant aims to design an evaluation of the health effect of these interventions. Toronto Public Health (TPH) with Transportation Services is seeking to apply for $0.065 million of this funding in 2020. TPH will apply as the lead applicant and will coordinate the funding to be assigned to the activities within the grant proposal. The grant opportunity is composed of two parts: a five-day workshop in a leading healthy city and a post-workshop planning and knowledge translation event. The post-workshop event in Toronto will be an invitational event to apply the findings from the first workshop and develop a set of specific intervention and evaluation of activities. This work will advance the mandates of both TPH and Transportation Services as well as key initiatives such as the Vision Zero 2.0 Plan and the Complete Streets Guidelines. This report provides a summary of the Planning Grant and seeks City Council approval for the Medical Officer of Health to increase the 2020 Operating Budget of TPH by $0.065 million to receive the CIHR Planning Grant, subject to approval of the application.
The Board of Health recommends to the Budget Committee that: 1. City Council authorize the Medical Officer of Health to increase the Toronto Public Health 2020 Operating Budget Request by $0.065 million gross, $0 net in order to receive a Planning and Dissemination Grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, subject to approval of the application.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that: 1. The Board of Health request City Council authorize the Medical Officer of Health to increase the Toronto Public Health 2020 Operating Budget Request by $0.065 million gross, $0 net in order to receive a Planning and Dissemination Grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, subject to approval of the application. 2. The Board of Health forward this report to the Budget Committee for consideration during the 2020 budget process.