Ottawa Board of Health

Minutes

Meeting #:
5
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West, and by electronic participation
Present:
  • Chair Catherine Kitts, 
  • Vice-Chair Tammy DeGiovanni, 
  • Member Brent Bauer, 
  • Member Danielle Brown-Shreves, 
  • Member Marty Carr, 
  • Member Sabrina Chung, 
  • Member Laura Dudas, 
  • Member Glen Gower, 
  • Member Theresa Kavanagh, 
  • and Member Rawlson King 
Absent:
  • Member Elyse Banham 

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.

First Nations, Inuit, Métis Elders offered opening prayers in recognition of National Aboriginal History Month (June) and National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21).

Members Banham and Dudas were absent during the roll call.

Member Banham sent regrets.

No Declarations of Interest were filed.

  • Confirmation of minutes of the meeting of April 17, 2023.

    Carried

Eight communication items have been received (held on file with the Board of Health Secretary).

  • Motion No. BOH05/01
    Moved byMember Marty Carr

    BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Chair of the Board of Health Verbal Report, the Medical Officer of Health Verbal Report, and the reports titled: State of Ottawa’s Health 2023: An Update, Ottawa Public Health’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2027, Ottawa Public Health Submission to Health Canada on Potential Amendments to Cannabis Regulations, and 2023 Operating and Capital Budget Q1 – Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit Status Report, be received and considered.

    Carried

File ACS2023-OPH-BOH-0008 – City-wide

In her verbal report, Chair Kitts highlighted National Indigenous History Month (June) and National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) and their significance. She reported that just before the launch of National Indigenous History Month, Dr. Etches was recognized by the Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition and presented with a blanket. She talked about June being Seniors’ month and a time to celebrate the older adults in our lives. She reported on the Association of Local Public Health Agencies’ (alPHa) Annual General Meeting and Conference, held June 13th and 14th, and provided an update on budget pressures OPH will be facing heading into this fall and the process of developing the draft 2024 budget. 

The Board then voted to receive the Chair's Verbal Report. Discussions on this item lasted approximately 14 minutes.

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

    Received

File ACS2023-OPH-MOH-0005 – City-wide

As part of her verbal report, Dr. Etches noted that the U.S. Surgeon General recently released an advisory highlighting mounting research about the harmful effects of social media use on mental health, including negative impacts to body image and contribution to the development of eating disorders and she talked about some of the things OPH has been doing, with local partners, to build resiliency among youth and promote alternatives to screen time. She then provided updates on the GetaKit initiative, renovations at the Merivale dental clinic and recent implementation of a new digital dental x-ray system, OPH’s role during extreme heat and outdoor air quality events, and ongoing efforts to help children and youth catch-up on their routine vaccinations. She then talked about planning underway for this fall’s respiratory illnesses season, OPH’s recent integrated planning process, and preparation for the 2024 budget. In closing, she introduced Mohammad Kibria, OPH”s new Manager for the Medical Officer of Health Business and Development Support service area and thanked Jo-Anne Henderson-White who acted in the previous Manager role for a year.

Dr. Etches responded to questions arising from her verbal report. The Board then voted to receive the Medical Officer of Health's Verbal Report. Discussions on this item lasted approximately 28 minutes.

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

    Received

File ACS2023-OPH-KPQ-0003 – City-wide

Cameron McDermaid, Senior Epidemiologist, spoke to a PowerPoint presentation, which served to provide the Board with an overview of the report. He was accompanied by Dr. Dara Spatz Friedman, Epidemiologist. A copy of the presentation is held on file with the Board of Health Secretary.

After the presentation, Dr. Etches, Mr. McDermaid and Dr. Spatz Friedman responded to questions from Board Members. This discussion lasted approximately 40 minutes. Following these exchanges, the Board voted to receive the report.

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

    Received
  • Motion No. BOH05/02
    Moved byMember Marty Carr

    BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Health approve that the meeting time be extended past 7:00 p.m. pursuant to Subsection 8(1)(c) of the Procedural By-law.

    Carried

File ACS2023-OPH-KPQ-0004 – City-wide

Cameron Keyes, Director of Quality, Epidemiology, Strategy and Technology, spoke to a PowerPoint presentation, which served to provide the Board with an overview of the proposed Strategic Plan for 2019-2022. 

The Board then heard from the following public delegation:

  • Greg Macdougall, resident 

Following the presentation and public delegation, the Board voted to adopt the report. This discussion lasted approximately 20 minutes.  

  • That the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit approve Ottawa Public Health’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2027, as outlined in Document 1.

    Carried

File ACS2023-OPH-HPP-0002 – City-wide

  • That the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit approve Ottawa Public Health’s submission to Health Canada’s consultation on proposed amendments to Cannabis regulations, as outlined in Document 1.

    Carried

File ACS2023-OPH-PCS-0005 – City-wide

  • That the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit receive the 2023 Q1 operating and capital budget status report for information.

    Received
  • Motion No. BOH05/03
    Moved byMember Marty Carr

    BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Chair of the Board of Health Verbal Report, the Medical Officer of Health Verbal Report, and the reports titled: State of Ottawa’s Health 2023: An Update, Ottawa Public Health’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2027, Ottawa Public Health Submission to Health Canada on Potential Amendments to Cannabis Regulations, and 2023 Operating and Capital Budget Q1 – Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit Status Report, be received and adopted.

    Carried

There were no motions requiring suspension of the rules. 

  • Motion No. BOH05/04
    Moved byMember Marty Carr

    BE IT RESOLVED THAT Confirmation By-law no. 2023-4, 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 June 19, 2023, be read and passed.

    Carried

Aucune demande de renseignements n’a été déposée.

The Board adjourned the meeting at 7:01 p.m.

Monday, September 18, 2023 - 5:00 PM