Ottawa Board of Health
MINUTES 4
Monday, June 15, 2015, 5:00 PM
Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West
Contact for the Ottawa Board of Health:
Gillian Connelly, Board of Health Secretary
613-580-2424, ext. 21544
[email protected]

Board Members:

Chair: S. Qadri

Vice-Chair: J. Poirier

Members: D. Chernushenko, M. Fleury, A. Kapur, L. Leikin, C. McKenney, S. Pinel, M. Qaqish, M. Taylor, P. Tilley

The Ottawa Board of Health met in the Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, on June 15, 2015 beginning at 5:00 p.m. The Chair, Shad Qadri, presided over the meeting.

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

Minutes 3 – Board of Health meeting of April 20, 2015

CONFIRMED

COMMUNICATIONS

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

Following a ‘Consent Agenda’ process, the Board considered the held Items in the following order: Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8.

3.	OTTAWA PUBLIC HEALTH’S IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM: A MULTI-PHASED IMMUNIZATION STRATEGY
	ACS2015-OPH-HPDP-0003
	That the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit: 1.    Approve Ottawa Public Health’s multi-phased Immunization Strategy, as outlined in this report; 2.    Approve that the Chair of the Ottawa Board of Health write a letter to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care recommending that the Panorama information system be improved by: a.    Optimizing functionality through enhancements to current features including the reporting functions on coverage and performance measures, the ability to upload consents, and improve capacity for parent notifications in both official languages; b.    Improving data collection of records for school-aged and pre-school children through integration of electronic medical records systems used in primary practice settings and online self-reporting options used by parents, such as the ImmunizeCA reporting app. 3.    Direct staff to report back in 2016 on the progress of the Immunization Strategy.
	Ms. Sherry Nigro, Manager, Health Promotion Disease Prevention; Dr. Carolyn Pim, Associate Medical Officer of Health; and Ms. Marie-Claude Turcotte, Program Manager, Vaccine Preventable Diseases, spoke to a PowerPoint presentation, which served to provide the Board with some context on this report. Ms. Nigro, Dr. Pim and Ms. Turcotte then took questions from Board members. This discussion lasted approximately 25 minutes. A copy of the presentation is held on file with the Board of Health Secretary. Following the discussion, the report recommendations were then put to the Board.
	CARRIED

4.	CONSULTATION PLAN FOR A PROPOSED PERSONAL SERVICE SETTINGS BY-LAW
	ACS2015-OPH-EHP-0001
	That the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit approve the consultation plan for a proposed personal services settings regulatory by-law, as described in the report.
	Dr. Vera Etches, Deputy Medical Officer of Health, and Ms. Siobhan Kearns, Manager, Environment and Health Protection, spoke to a PowerPoint presentation, which served to provide the Board with context on this report. Dr. Etches and Ms. Kearns then took questions from Board Members. This discussion lasted approximately 25 minutes. A copy of the presentation is held on file with the Board of Health Secretary. The following written correspondence was received in advance of this meeting (all submissions are held on file with the Board of Health Secretary): 1.    Comments dated June 11, 2015 from the Ottawa Council of Business Improvement Areas in support of the Consultation Plan for a Proposed Personal Service Settings By-Law report. Following the discussion, the report recommendations were then put to the Board.
	CARRIED

5.	UPDATE ON OTTAWA PUBLIC HEALTH’S FOOD SAFETY PROGRAM - OTTAWA SAFE TRIAL PROJECT
	ACS2015-OPH-EHP-0002
	That the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit: 1.    Approve the “Ottawa Safe” online trial project as part of the next phase of the Food Safety Program, as outlined in the report; and 2.    Direct staff to report back on the Food Safety Program, including the “Ottawa Safe” trial project in 2017.
	Dr. Vera Etches, Deputy Medical Officer of Health, and Ms. Siobhan Kearns, Manager, Environment and Health Protection, spoke to a PowerPoint presentation, which served to provide the Board with context on this report. Dr. Etches and Ms. Kearns then took questions from Board Members. This discussion lasted approximately 30 minutes. A copy of the presentation is held on file with the Board of Health Secretary.
	At 6:55 p.m., Member Taylor moved a motion to extend the meeting. MOTION 04/02 Moved by Member Taylor 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
	The following written correspondence was received in advance of this meeting (all submissions are held on file with the Board of Health Secretary): 1.    Comments dated June 11, 2015 from the Ottawa Council of Business Improvement Areas in support of Ottawa Public Health’s Food Safety Program: “Ottawa Safe” Trial Project report. Following the discussion, the report recommendations were then put to the Board.
	CARRIED

6.	UPDATE: OTTAWA BOARD OF HEALTH PUBLIC HEALTH FUNDING AND ACCOUNTABILITY AGREEMENT
	ACS2015-OPH-IQS-0008
	That the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit approve the 2015 Public Health Funding and Accountability Agreement Performance Indicator Targets, as outlined in Document 2.
	CARRIED

7.	GOVERNANCE UPDATE – BOARD OF HEALTH CODE OF CONDUCT
	ACS2015-OPH-SSB-0009
	That the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit adopt the Board of Health Code of Conduct, as outlined in Document 1.
	CARRIED

8.	ATTENDANCE AT THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTORS (CIPHI) 2015 ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE
	ACS2015-OPH-SSB-0010
	That the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit approve the attendance of Chair Qadri and Member Chernushenko at the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI) 2015 Annual Educational Conference, to be held September 13 to 16, 2015.
	The Board considered the following motion, and then the report recommendation was put before the Board and was “Carried”, as amended by Motion 04/03:
	Motion 04/03 Moved by Member Taylor BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Health for the City of Ottawa Health Unit approve the attendance of Chair Qadri, Member Chernushenko and Member Kapur at the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI) 2015 Annual Educational Conference, to be held September 13 to 16, 2015.
	CARRIED, as amended

NEXT MEETING

Regular Meeting

Monday, October 19, 2015 - 5:00 PM, Champlain Room

M E M O   /   N O T E   D E   S E R V I C E

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

DESTINATAIRE : Conseil de santé de la circonscription sanitaire de la ville d’Ottawa

FROM: Councillor Shad Qadri

Contact:
Councillor Shad Qadri
Chair, Ottawa Board of Health
613-580-2424 ext. 23681
[email protected]

EXPÉDITEUR : Conseiller Shad Qadri

Personne ressource :
Conseiller Shad Qadri
Président, Conseil de santé d’Ottawa
613-580-2424, poste 23681
[email protected]

DATE: June 15, 2015

15 juin 2015

FILE NUMBER: ACS2015-OPH-BOH-0003

SUBJECT: CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH VERBAL REPORT

OBJET : RAPPORT VERBAL DU PRÉSIDENT DU CONSEIL DE SANTÉ

Check upon delivery

alPHa

·         Last week, the City of Ottawa welcomed Medical Officers of Health and Board of Health Members from across Ontario to the 2015 Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) Annual General Meeting & Conference.

·         This conference was hosted by Ottawa Public Health and alPHa.

·         Several Ottawa Board Members attended and I was honoured to make opening remarks

·         As part of the Annual General Meeting, delegates passed a number of resolutions with subjects ranging from health equity to increasing access to naloxone.

·         Congratulations to the OPH staff who worked with alPHa to organize this successful conference

OPH comments on other committee reports

·         As some of my Council colleagues may be aware, OPH has been working to advance healthy public policy and influence municipal and provincial decisions that impact health.

·         In late May, Ottawa Public Health provided comments on a planning committee report regarding the zoning by-law.

·          The city report considered amending the current zoning by-law to provide opportunities for more small businesses in urban neighbourhoods. OPH staff brought forward the health benefits of the proposed zoning amendment, to demonstrate how this type of zoning can help create vibrant, mixed use, walkable neighbourhoods.

·         OPH was also involved in consultations and community events around reducing default speed limits. Last month, our Medical Officer of Health was invited to speak on this matter at a Community Summit on Road Safety hosted by the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Yasir Naqvi.

·         Finally, a systematic review of the City’s major by-laws will be taking place over the next four years.

·         OPH will be participating in this review and has proposed by-laws with respect to expanding the definition of smoking to include hookah pipes in public places, the posting of food premise certificates and a personal service setting registry be considered. 

·         I am pleased that OPH has been able to participate in these opportunities to advance healthy public policy and build healthier Ottawa.

Ultimate Lunch Cook-off

·         I am also happy to report that Ottawa Public Health celebrated Food Revolution Day at Immaculata High School this past May.

·         Myself, along with Mayor Watson, Member Fleury, and Dr. Levy joined grade 11 and 12 culinary arts student in an ‘Ultimate Lunch Cook-off.’ The results – were delicious and nutritious.

·          Ottawa Public Health is proud to partner with local schools to improve healthy eating and active living and to help make the healthy choice the easy choice.

Congratulations to Board Members

·         Finally, I would like to thank all of our Board Members who have represented us at events in the community over the past five months.

·         Here is an example of a picture (above) of one of our Board members, Peter Tilley, at a Dental Month Screening Event for Oral Health

M E M O   /   N O T E   D E   S E R V I C E

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

DESTINATAIRE : Conseil de santé de la circonscription sanitaire de la ville d’Ottawa

FROM: Dr. Isra Levy
Ottawa Public Health
Contact:
Dr. Isra Levy
Medical Officer of Health
Ottawa Public Health
613-580-2424 ext. 23681
[email protected]

EXPÉDITEUR : D^r Isra Levy
Santé publique Ottawa
Personne ressource :
D^r Isra Levy
Médecin chef en santé publique
Santé publique Ottawa
613-580-2424, poste 23681
[email protected]

DATE: June 15, 2015

15 juin 2015

FILE NUMBER: ACS2015-OPH-MOH-0004

SUBJECT: MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH VERBAL REPORT

OBJET : RAPPORT VERBAL DU MÉDECIN CHEF EN SANTÉ PUBLIQUE

Check upon delivery

Bonsoir, good evening,

I want to start, tonight, by noting that every year June is marked, in the City of Ottawa, as a month to recognize and celebrate employees. I would like to recognize my colleagues on staff at Ottawa Public Health for their unwavering dedication to providing programs and services to this community. I know you join me in thanking them for all that they do in their day-to-day work to make Ottawa a place where people are healthy, safe and actively engaged in their well-being.

We have a heavy agenda tonight, so I will keep my remarks brief. I want to touch on three items. Number one, an important provincial initiative, second our progress on addressing compliance challenges in vaccine surveillance, and lastly new developments that are creating stresses on our ability to balance the budget.

First , developments in the provincial legislature: Those of you who were here at the time will recall that in 2012 the Board of Health advocated for the development and promotion of menu labeling policies and wrote a letter to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to that effect.  Last month Bill 45 – the Making Healthier Choices Act was passed and will become law later this year. This new legislation responds to advocacy efforts of this Board and other Boards of Health across Ontario regarding menu labeling, the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and electronic cigarettes.

As part of the Making Healthier Choices Act, food service owners and operators of franchises with 20 or more locations in Ontario will be required to post calories. The Act also bans the sale of flavoured tobacco products and the sale and supply of e-cigarettes to anyone under the age of 19.

Public Health Units will be involved in implementation and enforcement of this act, though specific details are still being developed by the province so it is premature to consider implications. In the meantime, OPH has moved forward on our own menu labeling campaign to raise awareness of the importance of understandable nutritional information being available. For example, you may have seen some of these items on OC Transpo buses.

Moving on to the Immunization update, later tonight you will be discussing our plans for the multi-phased re-invigoration of our Vaccine Preventable Diseases work. I do want to mention that the enhanced effort that we triggered in the winter to update student records is progressing to plan. While we have not yet heard from our funders regarding our request for an investment to assist with this initiative, we are intent on getting all 150,000 our immunization records on school children verified for the 2015/2016 school year.

Currently we have 10 nurses and four data entry staff working on the data base, inputting data, cleaning it, addressing duplicate records and contacting parents if the records aren’t up-to-date. Over the summer we will increase the nursing complement so that we will have a total of 40 staff deployed getting the database ready for fall. With tremendous help and support from the City’s IT Services group we have been able to implement an automated calling system to notify parents, and we have extended our nursing hours so that we can respond to parent telephone calls in the evenings. School boards have also been very supportive and have been sending out messages to parents for us. And we are getting a good response from parents that we connect with too.

So, while challenges to persist, and the resource burden is very high, our team is getting on with the job. You will hear later, too, that we are also building a sustainability plan so that this type of catch up activity will not be needed in the future.

Lastly, I need to provide you with a brief update on the budget. We have not yet received confirmation of our 2015 funding request from the province. However, the City has recently completed collective bargaining with bargaining units relevant to our programs. Some assumptions that we had made in preparing our budget can, therefore, now be solidified. A consequence is that we will have to manage a new compensation pressure of approximately $350,000. I am reviewing options, with my management team, so that we can make the necessary spending adjustments to address this new pressure.  We intend to balance the budget by year end.

We have also initiated a review of our 2016 to 2018 multi-year financial forecast. For 2016, we will have to manage rising costs due to inflation, collective agreement increases, end of life technology replacement, and emerging community health pressures. I anticipate that rising costs and constrained funding will create similar challenges to balancing the proposed 2016 budget to those we faced last year. That means we will need to address a funding shortfall in order to balance the budget.

We will be tabling a draft budget for 2016 for your consideration in the fall. I anticipate that you will see that we will continue to hold needed growth in our programs in abeyance, and to continue to find efficiencies in our activities.

That concludes my verbal report. As always, I am happy to answer any questions.