Ottawa Board of Health

Minutes

Meeting #:

14

Date:

Monday, December 02, 2024

Time:

5:00 P.m. - 7:00 P.m.

Location:

Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West, and by electronic participation

Present:

• Chair Catherine Kitts, 
• Vice-Chair Tammy DeGiovanni, 
• Member Nwanneka Ejiofor, 
• Member Brent Bauer, 
• Member Laura Dudas, 
• Member Glen Gower, 
• Member Theresa Kavanagh, 
• and Member Rawlson King 

Absent:

• Member Marty Carr 
• and Member Sabrina Chung 

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1.

Notices and meeting information for meeting participants and the public

Please see the attached document for public notices and meeting information, including: availability of simultaneous interpretation and accessibility accommodations; in camera meeting procedures; processes and timelines for written and oral submissions; personal information disclaimer for correspondents and public speakers; notices regarding minutes; and remote participation details.

2.

Announcements / Ceremonial Activities

Grandmother Irene Compton, Senator Parm Burgie, Elder Aigah Attagutsiak will offer opening prayers.

 Métis Senator Parmaillia Burgie opened the meeting in a special way offering opening prayers.

3.

Roll Call

Members Carr and Chung was absent during roll call.

4.

Regrets

Members Carr and Chung sent regrets. 

5.

Declarations of Interest

Vice-Chair DeGiovanni declared a pecuniary interest with respect to item 8.4 - 20205 Draft Operating Budget for the Ottawa Board of Health and advised she would refrain from voting on the matter. 

6.

Confirmation of Minutes

• Motion No. BOH 14/01
  Moved by Vice-Chair Tammy DeGiovanni

  Confirmation of minutes of the meeting of November 4, 2024.

  Carried

7.

Communications 

One communication item has been received (held on file with the Board of Health Secretary).

8.

Motion to Introduce Reports

• Motion No. BOH 14/02
  Moved by Vice-Chair Tammy DeGiovanni

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Chair of the Board of Health Verbal Report, the Medical Officer of Health Verbal Report, and the reports titled: Update on Ottawa Public Health’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2027 – Strategic Action Plan;2025 Draft Operating Budget for the Ottawa Board of Health; and Performance Appraisal of Medical Officer of Health - In Camera – Personal Matters About an Identifiable Individual - Reporting Out Date: Not to be reported out, be received and considered.

  Carried

8.1

Chair of the Board of Health Verbal Report

File ACS2024-OPH-BOH-0015– City-wide

In her verbal report, the Chair thanked Métis Elder Senator Parm Burgie for opening the meeting in a special way. The Chair then provided recap of the  Association of Local Public Health Agencies’ (alPHa) Fall Symposiu, which she and Vice Chair DeGiovanni recently attended as well as a recap of the Health and Housing Forum that occurred earlier in the day. The Chair informed the Board of events that took place in the City in recognition of World 

The Chair then highlighted AIDS Awareness Day and some holiday messaging, including tips for protecting ourselves against the respiratory illnesses circulating in our community. 

Discussions on this item lasted approximately 5 minutes. The Board then voted to RECEIVE the Chair's Verbal Report. 

• Motion No. BOH 14/03
  Moved by Vice-Chair Tammy DeGiovanni

  That the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit receive this verbal report for information.

  Carried

8.2

Medical Officer of Health Verbal Report

File ACS2024-OPH-MOH-0008 – City-wide

Dr. Etches began her verbal report by recognizing Senator Parm Burgie and thanked her for her opening the last meeting of the 2024 Board of Health in such a special way.

Next Dr. Etches provided a staffing update, and welcomed Hindia Mohamoud, the new permanent Program Manager for the Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (HEDI) service area at Ottawa Public Health (OPH).

Dr. Etches provided a heartfelt thank you and expressed gratitude to every Ottawa Public Health team member for their care, dedication, and hard work throughout 2024 and provided a look ahead to 2025 and the ways in which OPH’s work will be guided by its multi-year strategic objectives. 

Dr. Etches provided an update on the drug toxicity crisis and advised that since the provincial announcement of the consumption and treatment service closures, OPH will continue to collaborate closely with partners under Ottawa’s Overdose Prevention and Response Strategy, and with residents and businesses in communities most affected.

In closing Dr. Etches shared holiday messaging and encouraged residents to look after their health and well-being by staying up to date on vaccinations, practice good hygiene, stay active and eat well, and to be mindful of mental health. 

Following her verbal report, Dr. Etches responded to questions from Board Members. 

Discussions on this item lasted approximately 16 minutes. The Board then voted to RECEIVE the Medical Officer of Health's Verbal Report. 

• Motion No. BOH 14/04
  Moved by Vice-Chair Tammy DeGiovanni

  That the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit receive this verbal report for information.

  Carried

8.3

Ottawa Public Health’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2027 –Strategic Action Plan

File ACS2024-OPH-KPQ-0003 – City-wide 

• Motion No. BOH 14/05
  Moved by Vice-Chair Tammy DeGiovanni

  That the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit:

  1. Approve Ottawa Public Health’s Strategic Action Plan, as outlined in Document 1;
  2. Receive for information Ottawa Public Health’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2027 Update from Quarter Two and Quarter Three of 2024, as outlined in Document 2.
  Carried

8.4

2025 Draft Operating Budget for the Ottawa Board of Health

File ACS2024-OPH-BDS-0006 – City-wide 

Mohammad Kibria, Manager, Manager, MOH Business & Development Support Services, spoke briefly to a PowerPoint presentation, which served to update the Board on the Budget approval process. A copy of his presentation is held on file with the Board of Health Secretary.

Following the presentation, the Board heard from one online delegation: 

Natalie Bergin, Founder/President of Trace the Lace

Following the delegation, staff responded to questions from Board Members. 

Written submissions were received from the following individuals, all of which were circulated to Board Members in advance of the meeting and held on file with the Board of Health Secretary:

Monica Nikopoulos
Jessica Turner
Calla Barnett

The Board then proceeded to vote on Motion 14/06. Vice Chair DeGiovanni refrained from voting on the item. The discussion on this item lasted approximately 35 minutes. 

• Motion No. BOH 14/06
  Moved by Vice-Chair Tammy DeGiovanni

  That, at its meeting of December 2, 2024, the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit:

  1. Approve the 2025 Draft Operating Budget for the Ottawa Board of Health;
  2. Upon the Board of Health’s approval of the 2025 Draft Operating Budget for the Ottawa Board of Health, direct staff to forward the report to Ottawa City Council, for consideration on December 11, 2024, as part of City Council’s approval of the City of Ottawa 2025 Draft Operating and Capital budget; and
  3. Upon approval of the 2025 Draft Operating Budget for the Ottawa Board of Health by the Board of Health and Ottawa City Council, direct the Medical Officer of Health (or delegate), on behalf of the Board of Health, to forward the 2025 Annual Service Plan and Budget Submission to the Ontario Ministry of Health (MOH) for consideration based on the approved 2025 Operating Budget for the Ottawa Board of Health.
  Carried

9.

Information Previously Distributed

None. 

10.

In Camera Items*

NOTICE*

In Camera Items are not subject to public discussion or audience. Any person has a right to request an independent investigation of the propriety of dealing with matters in a closed session. A form requesting such a review may be obtained, without charge, from the City’s website or in person from the Chair of this meeting. Requests are kept confidential pending any report by the Meetings Investigator and are conducted without charge to the Requestor.

10.1

Performance Appraisal of Medical Officer of Health – In Camera – Personal Matters About an Identifiable Individual. Reporting Out Date: Not to be Reported Out

File ACS2024-OPH-BOH-0016 – City-wide

Report issued separately

This item was CARRIED on consent, eliminating the need for the Board to move In Camera.

11.

Motion to Adopt Reports

• Motion No. BOH 14/07
  Moved by Vice-Chair Tammy DeGiovanni

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Chair of the Board of Health Verbal Report, the Medical Officer of Health Verbal Report, and the reports titled: Update on Ottawa Public Health’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2027 – Strategic Action Plan;2025 Draft Operating Budget for the Ottawa Board of Health; and Performance Appraisal of Medical Officer of Health - In Camera – Personal Matters About an Identifiable Individual - Reporting Out Date: Not to be reported out, be received and adopted. 

  Carried

12.

Motions Requiring Suspension of the Rules of Procedure

13.

Notices of Motions (For Consideration at Subsequent Meeting)

14.

Confirmation By-law

• Motion No. BOH 14/08
  Moved by Vice-Chair Tammy DeGiovanni

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Confirmation By-law no. 2024-5, a by-law of the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit to confirm the proceedings of the Ottawa Board of Health at its meeting of December 2, 2024, be read and passed.

  Carried

15.

Inquiries

None. 

16.

Adjournment

The Board adjourned the meeting at 6:09 p.m.

17.

Next Meeting

Monday, February 10, 2025 - 5:00 PM