Ottawa Board of Health

Minutes

Meeting #:

Date:

Monday, December 01, 2025

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 Brent Bauer, 
• Member Marty Carr, 
• Member Sabrina Chung, 
• Member Laura Dudas, 
• Member Glen Gower, 
• Member Rawlson King, 
• Member Nwanneka Ejiofor, 
• Member Emily Gruenwoldt, 
• and Member Jessica Bradley 

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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

None. 

3.

Roll Call

All Members were present at the time of roll call, with the exception of Member Gruenwoldt. 

4.

Regrets

Member Gruenwoldt sent regrets. 

5.

Declarations of Interest

None. 

6.

Confirmation of Minutes

• Moved by Vice-Chair Tammy DeGiovanni

  Confirmation of minutes of the meeting of November 3, 2025.

  Carried

7.

Communications 

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

8.

Motion to Introduce Reports

• 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: 2026 Draft Operating Budget for the Ottawa Board of Health; Ottawa Public Health’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2027 – Update from Quarters Two and Three of 2025; 2025 Operating Budget Q3:– Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit Status Report; and the IPD titled Health Canada Funding, HealthAdapt project, Update, be received and considered.

  Carried

8.1

Chair of the Board of Health Verbal Report

File ACS2025-OPH-BOH-0015 – City-wide

The Chair delivered remarks reflecting on recent activities, including a visit to Ottawa Public Health’s new dental clinic in Orléans with City officials, highlighting its role in expanding equitable access to oral health services.

The Chair also reflected on the Board’s work throughout 2025, noting key transitions such as the appointment of the new Medical Officer of Health, and the broad range of public health issues considered during the year in alignment with OPH’s 2023–2027 Strategic Plan.

Looking ahead to 2026, the Chair emphasized the importance of advancing sustainable long‑term funding and strengthening partnerships as the Board enters the final year of its mandate. The Chair expressed appreciation to Board members and OPH staff for their commitment and concluded with holiday well‑wishes. A brief discussion followed, lasting approximately 4 minutes.

• Moved by Vice-Chair Tammy DeGiovanni

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

  Received

8.2

Medical Officer of Health Verbal Report

File ACS2025-OPH-MOH-0009– City-wide

The Medical Officer of Health provided remarks recognizing World AIDS Day and its global theme of “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response,” noting both international progress and ongoing challenges, as well as local commemoration activities in Ottawa.

He reflected on his first year as Medical Officer of Health, expressing appreciation for the Board, OPH leadership, and staff, and highlighting the breadth of public health issues addressed across Ottawa’s diverse rural, suburban, and urban communities.

The MOH also outlined OPH’s cold‑weather response efforts in collaboration with City partners, including outreach, warming services, and public information resources. He concluded with an update on the respiratory virus season, emphasizing the importance of flu and COVID‑19 vaccination and the continued monitoring of influenza strain dynamics. A brief discussion followed, lasting approximately 7 minutes.

• Moved by Vice-Chair Tammy DeGiovanni

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

  Received

8.3

2026 Draft Operating Budget for the Ottawa Board of Health

File ACS2025-OPH-BDS-0007– City-wide

The Board considered the 2026 Draft Operating Budget for Ottawa Public Health. The report was held while the Chair delivered introductory remarks highlighting Ottawa’s rapid population growth, the complexity of its rural–urban–suburban context, and the resulting pressures on public health capacity. The Chair emphasized the need for added provincial support until the province’s cost‑share restoration plan is implemented, noting OPH’s previous efficiencies, reinvestment of savings, and the ongoing commitment to prudent financial management.

Members of the Board were provided the opportunity to ask questions, and a discussion lasting approximately 21 minutes followed. Topics included the status of the IT reserve, as well as the implications of technology-related risks identified in the risk register. Members also inquired about the timeline for the province’s review of public health funding, with staff advising that more clarity is expected once the provincial process concludes. Questions were also raised regarding the portion of OPH’s budget supported by Ottawa taxpayers and whether future reporting could illustrate the per‑household cost; staff confirmed that the Long-Range Financial Strategy report, expected in 2026, will provide this level of detail.

Board members expressed appreciation to staff for their work in preparing the budget and voiced strong support for continued advocacy with the province. Following discussion, the Board proceeded with consideration of the recommendations.

• Moved by Vice-Chair Tammy DeGiovanni

  That, at its meeting of November 3, 2025, the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit:

  1. Receive and table the 2026 Draft Operating Budget for the Ottawa Board of Health; and
  2. Direct staff to forward the 2026 Draft Operating Budget for the Ottawa Board of Health to Ottawa City Council on November 12, 2025, as part of City Council’s tabling of the City of Ottawa 2026 Draft Operating Budget; and
  3. Request the Province of Ontario to provide an additional one-time in-year funding of $450,000 to address the 2026 budget pressure in the cost-shared mandatory program resulting from cost-of-living adjustments to employee compensation and benefits.  
  4. Request that the Province of Ontario address the provincial funding shortfall to cover 75% of OPH’s cost-shared budget by implementing a funding formula review and providing annual base funding increases of 3–4% to align with rising operating costs driven by cost-of-living adjustments and employee benefits; and
     
     That, at its meeting of December 1, 2025, the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit:
     
     
  5. Approve the 2026 Draft Operating Budget for the Ottawa Board of Health;
  6. Upon the Board of Health’s approval of the 2026 Draft Operating Budget for the Ottawa Board of Health, direct staff to forward the report to Ottawa City Council, for consideration on December 10, 2025, as part of City Council’s approval of the City of Ottawa 2026 Draft Operating budget; and
  7. Upon approval of the 2026 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 2026 Annual Service Plan and Budget Submission to the Ontario Ministry of Health (MOH) for consideration based on the approved 2026 Operating Budget for the Ottawa Board of Health.
  Carried

8.4

Ottawa Public Health’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2027 – Update from Quarters Two and Three of 2025

File ACS2025-OPH-KPQ-0003 - City-wide

The report entitled Update to Ottawa Public Health’s Strategic Plan, 2023–2027 was held for remarks from the Medical Officer of Health and to hear one public delegation from Ottawa Inner City Health. Following the presentation and delegation, members of the Board were provided the opportunity to ask questions of staff and the delegate. A discussion lasting approximately 32 minutes ensued.

• 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 Quarters Two and Three of 2025, as outlined in Document 2.
  Carried

8.5

2025 Operating Budget Q3:– Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit Status Report

File ACS2025-OPH-BDS-0008 -City-Wide

• Moved by Vice-Chair Tammy DeGiovanni

  That the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit receive the 2025 Q3 operating status report for information.

  Carried

9.

Information Previously Distributed

9.1

Health Canada Funding, HealthAdapt project, Update

File 2025-OPH-EHI-0003 - City-wide

10.

In Camera Items*

None. 

11.

Motion to Adopt Reports

• 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: 2026 Draft Operating Budget for the Ottawa Board of Health; Ottawa Public Health’s Strategic Plan for 2023-2027 – Update from Quarters Two and Three of 2025; 2025 Operating Budget Q3:– Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit Status Report; and the IPD titled Health Canada Funding, HealthAdapt project, Update, be read and passed. 

  Carried

12.

Motions Requiring Suspension of the Rules of Procedure

None. 

13.

Notices of Motions (For Consideration at Subsequent Meeting)

None. 

14.

Confirmation By-law

• Moved by Vice-Chair Tammy DeGiovanni

  BE IT RESOLVED THAT Confirmation By-law no. 2025-8, 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 1, 2025, be read and passed.

  Carried

15.

Inquiries

None. 

16.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 6:09 pm. 

17.

Next Meeting

Monday, February 9, 2026 - 5:00 PM

Monday, February 9, 2026 - 5:00 PM