Ottawa
Board of Health
MINUTES 22
Monday,
April 16, 2018, 5:00 PM
Champlain Room, 110 Laurier Avenue West
Contact
for the Ottawa Board of Health:
Diane
Blais, 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 Monday, April 16, 2018 beginning at 5:00 PM.
The
Chair, Shad Qadri, presided over the meeting.
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ROLL CALL
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Vice-Chair Poirier and Member Leikin were absent.
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REGRETS
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Vice-Chair Poirier and Member Leikin sent regrets.
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COMMUNICATIONS
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Thirteen communication items have
been received (held on file with Board of Health Secretary)
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MOTION TO INTRODUCE REPORTS
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Motion 22/01
Moved by Member McKenney
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Chair of the
Board of Health’s Verbal Report; the Medical Officer of Health’s Verbal
Report; Ottawa Public Health’s 2017 Annual Report; the Public
Health Approach to Reducing Harms From Gambling in Ottawa report; the Acting
Medical Officer of Health’s Submissions to Proposed Provincial Regulations
under the Smoke Free Ontario Act, 2017 and the Cannabis Act, 2017 report; the
Ottawa Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response report; the Planning
Approach for a New Public Health Strategic Plan (2019-2022) report; the 2017
Operating Budget Year-End Results – Board of Health for the City of Ottawa
Health Unit Status report; the Delegation of Authority – Contracts Awarded
for the Period of July 1 to December 31, 2017 report; the Attendance at the
Association of Local Public Health Agencies’ (Alpha) 2018 Annual General
Meeting and Conference report; the Election-Related Resources Policy report; and
the Report from the Sponsors’ Group on the Recruitment and Selection of a New
Medical Officer of Health be received and considered.
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CARRIED
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Following a ‘Consent Agenda’ process, the Board
considered the held Items in the following order: Items 1, 2, 4 and 5, in that
order.
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1.
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CHAIR
OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH VERBAL REPORT
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ACS2018-OPH-BOH-0004
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That the Board of Health for the
City of Ottawa Health Unit receive this report for information.
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RECEIVED
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Chair Qadri provided the Board with an update on recent
events. The Chair’s verbal report took approximately five minutes. The
attached memo includes the Chair of the Board of Health Verbal Update. The
report was then received by the Board.
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2.
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MEDICAL
OFFICER OF HEALTH VERBAL REPORT
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ACS2018-OPH-MOH-0003
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That the Board of Health for the
City of Ottawa Health Unit receive this report for information.
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RECEIVED
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Dr. Very Etches, Interim Medical Officer of Health,
provided the Board with an update on recent events. This verbal update lasted
approximately 10 minutes. The attached memo includes her Verbal Update. The
report was then received by the Board.
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3.
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OTTAWA
PUBLIC HEALTH’S 2017 ANNUAL REPORT
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ACS2018-OPH-MOH-0004
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That the Board of Health for the
City of Ottawa Health Unit:
1. Receive Ottawa
Public Health’s 2017 Annual Report; and
2. Approve that it
be forwarded to Ottawa City Council for information, in accordance with the
City of Ottawa Act, 1999.
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CARRIED
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4.
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A
PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH TO REDUCING HARMS FROM GAMBLING IN OTTAWA
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ACS-2018-OPH-HPP-0004
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That the Board of Health for the
City of Ottawa Health Unit:
1. Approve Ottawa
Public Health’s collaborative four-point plan to reduce harms from gambling
in Ottawa, conditional upon receiving funding outside of the current
revenue-sharing agreement, as described in this report;
2. Authorize the
Board of Health Chair to make a funding application to the Ontario Minister
of Health and Long-Term Care to fund the proposed four-point plan; and
3. Direct that
this report be forwarded to Council for information.
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CARRIED, as amended by
Motions 22/03 and 22/04
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Ms. Gillian Connelly, Manager of Healthy Communities,
spoke to a PowerPoint presentation, which served to provide the Board with an
overview of the report. A copy of her presentation is held on file with the
Board of Health Secretary.
The following delegations addressed the Board on this
topic:
·
Keith
Egli, Councillor, Ward 9, Knoxdale-Merivale
·
Paul
Pellizzari, Executive Director of Social Responsibility, Ontario Lottery and
Gaming
·
Catherine
Bernatchez, YMCA/YWCA Youth Gambling Awareness Program
After hearing from the delegations, Dr. Etches and Ms. Connelly
responded to questions from Board members. Discussion on this item lasted
approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes, after which the Board voted on two (2)
motions and carried the report, as amended by these motions.
At approximately 6:48 p.m., the Board considered Motion
22/02, below.
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Motion 22/02
Moved by Member McKenney
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.
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CARRIED
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Motion 22/03
Moved
by Member McKenney
WHEREAS
the increase of gambling opportunities in Ottawa will have negative health
and social impacts on some individuals, their families and the broader
community; and
WHEREAS
research shows that increases in gambling availability are associated with a
growth in problem gambling; and
WHEREAS
research shows there is a near 2% prevalence of moderate risk and problem
gambling in Ottawa, representing approximately 15,000 residents; and
WHEREAS
only 541 individuals received gambling addiction treatment in Ottawa in
2016/17; and
WHEREAS
the majority of researchers agree certain forms of gambling are more
problematic and these types of games include casino game tables and
Electronic Gaming Tables (slot machines); and
WHEREAS
the most effective way to prevent problem gambling is to restrict the access
and availability of gambling opportunities; and
WHEREAS
the Board of Health on August 19, 2013 approved that Ottawa Public Health’s
position is against increasing access and availability of gambling in Ottawa;
and
WHEREAS
in November 2017, the City of Ottawa’s Committee of Adjustment approved an
increase in the maximum number of game tables allowed at the RCR site from 21
to 35; an
WHEREAS
in February 2018 HRCO filed an application to allow a further increase in the
number game tables from 35 to 55 and gave notice that they plan to expand the
number of Electronic Gaming Tables beyond the current 1250; and
WHEREAS
the cumulative effects of approvals to increases in the access and
availability of gambling are expected to cause significant gambling-related harms within the community;
THEREFORE
BE IT RESOLVED that the Ottawa Board of Health reiterate its ongoing strong
position against increasing access to and availability of gambling in Ottawa.
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CARRIED
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Motion 22/04
Moved by Member Taylor
That the Discussion section of the
report, under Recommendation 2, be amended to replace all references to the
ask of the Province for $150k and $200k respectively to reflect:
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An
initial minimum request for $150,000 one-time or interim funding; and
·
An
initial minimum request for $200,000 recurring base funding, the amount of
such to be increased as OPH data on the scope of this issue grows.
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CARRIED
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5.
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THE
ACTING MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH SUBMISSIONS TO PROPOSED PROVINCIAL
REGULATIONS UNDER THE SMOKE FREE ONTARIO ACT, 2017 AND CANNABIS ACT, 2017.
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ACS2018-OPH-HPP-0003
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That the Board of Health for the
City of Ottawa Health Unit receive the Acting Medical Officer of Health’s
submission to the Province of Ontario in response to proposed regulations for
the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 and for places of use under the Cannabis
Act, 2017, as outlined in Documents 1 and 2 respectively, and approve the
recommendations contained therein.
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CARRIED
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The following delegation addressed the Board on this
topic:
·
Carol
McDonald, Ottawa Council on Smoking or Health
After hearing from the delegation, Dr. Etches and Ms. Connelly
responded to questions from Board members. Discussion on this item lasted
approximately 22 minutes.
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11.
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ELECTION-RELATED
RESOURCES POLICY
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ACS2018-OPH-BOH-0006
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That the Board of Health for the
City of Ottawa Health Unit adopt the City of Ottawa’s Election-Related Resources
Policy, as described in this report
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CARRIED
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MOTION TO ADOPT REPORTS
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Motion 22/05
Moved by Member McKenney
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Chair of the
Board of Health’s Verbal Report; the Medical Officer of Health’s Verbal
Report; Ottawa Public Health’s 2017 Annual Report; the Public
Health Approach to Reducing Harms From Gambling in Ottawa report; the Acting
Medical Officer of Health’s Submissions to Proposed Provincial Regulations
under the Smoke Free Ontario Act, 2017 and the Cannabis Act, 2017 report; the
Ottawa Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response report; the Planning
Approach for a New Public Health Strategic Plan (2019-2022) report; the 2017
Operating Budget Year-End Results – Board of Health for the City of Ottawa
Health Unit Status report; the Delegation of Authority – Contracts Awarded
for the Period of July 1 to December 31, 2017 report; the Attendance at the
Association of Local Public Health Agencies’ (Alpha) 2018 Annual General
Meeting and Conference report; the Election-Related Resources Policy report;
and the Report from the Sponsors’ Group on the Recruitment and Selection of a
New Medical Officer of Health be received and adopted.
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CARRIED
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CONFIRMATION BY-LAW
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Motion 22/06
Moved by Member McKenney
BE IT RESOLVED THAT Confirmation
By-law no. 2018-2, 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 April 16, 2018, be read and passed.
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CARRIED
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ADJOURNMENT
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The Board adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
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NEXT MEETING
Regular Meeting
Monday, June 18, 2018 - 5:00 PM, Champlain Room, 110
Laurier Avenue West
_____________________________ _____________________________
BOARD SECRETARY
BOARD CHAIR
Ottawa Board
of Health Meeting
Notes for Chair Shad Qadri
Monday, April 16, 2018
Good evening, Bonsoir,
I would like to begin tonight’s verbal
update by recognizing that we are meeting on traditional Algonquin territory. I
acknowledge and appreciate Ottawa Public Health’s (OPH) continued efforts to promote reconciliation,
which are featured in the annual report before you this evening.
I would also like to highlight some
events that have taken place since we last met.
In late February, following our Board
meeting, Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Vera Etches and Board of Health
Member Michael Qaqish attended the Association of Local Public Health Agencies
(alPHa) Winter Meeting. I would like to thank them both for attending this
meeting on behalf of OPH and the Board of Health. I know Dr. Etches will be
providing her verbal address to the Board shortly. Councillor Qaqish, if you
have any insights from the meeting you would like to mention, please feel free
to share those at this time.
Allow Councillor Qaqish time to speak.
Thank you Councillor.
In March, I attended two Open Houses,
which provided me with the opportunity to see details of the Hard Rock Casino's proposed $318
million expansion at Rideau Carleton Raceway. I am pleased to have had the
chance to review the proposed expansion plans and to consider health-related
impacts this will have on our community. We know that problem gambling can have
a significant impact on members of our community and I will continue to monitor
the casino expansion file closely.
Also last month, in collaboration with
community partners, OPH launched the “Your Minute” youth video campaign. The
campaign invites youth from 14 to 18 years old to film a one-minute video to
promote positive mental health and prevent or reduce harms related to substance
use. If you know a 14 to 18 year old in Ottawa, encourage
them to take a minute, grab a camera or phone, and start filming their minute.
Video entries will be posted online and the submission deadline is April 20th.
Last week, OPH received
some positive news regarding the Supervised
Injection Services being offered at 179 Clarence Street.
The provincial Minister of Health and Long-Term Care wrote a letter to the federal
Minister of Health expressing support for OPH’s application for an exemption
under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. This letter is a positive
signal from the province and I know the OPH team is actively working with the Ministry on
both operating and capital funding.
Finally, I would like to congratulate the OPH team and the
province for the successful promotion and implementation of the new Immunization
Connect Ontario (ICON) tool. This new online tool allows parents to update,
view and/or print their child's immunization record. I am hearing very positive
comments in the community about this tool and congratulate OPH on this success.
We have a full agenda this
evening, so I will stop here and give Dr. Etches the floor.
Ottawa Board
of Health Meeting
Notes for Dr. Vera Etches
Monday, April 16, 2018
Good evening, Bonsoir,
Tonight, I also have updates on local
matters and provincial work related to Ottawa Public Health.
I would like to
welcome Doug Kirkpatrick as the Director of Communications and Community
Engagement for Ottawa Public Health. The Communications, Knowledge Exchange & Municipal
Relations team and the OPH Board Secretariat & Support Unit have been
brought together to form a newly named Service Area called, Communications and
Community Engagement.
The Chair mentioned OPH’s continued
efforts to promote reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples.
In March, I joined other OPH staff to learn from the presenters at the Wabano
Centre for Aboriginal Health’s 2018 Symposium. Le symposium était axé sur l'équité en
matière de santé pour les enfants, les jeunes et les familles autochtones. I look forward to sharing some of the
material with you as it will be reflected in a report on OPH’s Reconciliation
Action Plan next meeting.
Also locally, influenza
activity across Ottawa appears to be winding down. The number of lab-confirmed
influenza cases has been gradually decreasing since early March. Les cas signalés de grippe
au cours de la présente saison ont été plus nombreux qu'au cours des années
précédentes.
There are still ongoing influenza outbreaks in
Long-Term Care Homes and Retirement Homes. While the season is winding down, I
encourage residents to continue to practice hand hygiene and to stay home when
feeling sick, especially if visiting people at higher risk for complications of
infection.
Récemment, SPO a également
commenté le plan d’action pluriannuel du ministère des Transports et du
ministère du Tourisme, de la Culture et du Sport de l’Ontario visant à faire
progresser la mise en œuvre de #VéloOntario : Stratégie ontarienne de
promotion du vélo. The
action plan for cycling in Ontario aims to help create supportive environments
for healthy living, aligning with the Ontario Public Health Standards’
requirements related to chronic disease prevention and OPH’s strategic
direction to inspire and support healthy eating and active living.
Since our last meeting,
there have been a number of budget-related updates. First, as you will read in this
year’s year-end operating status report, on January 24, the Ministry of Health
and Long-Term Care announced $21,000 in base funding and $68,000 in one-time
funding for the 100% provincially funded Needle Distribution and Retrieval
Programs.
Next, OPH provided our
Annual Service Plan and Budget to the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care on
March 1 for 2018. The plan is a new requirement of the Ministry designed to
communicate OPH’s program plans, budgeted expenditures and additional one-time
and base funding requests of the province. OPH is following this plan to
deliver our services in accordance with the new Ontario Public Health
Standards.
Later, on March 22, the
Ministry announced further one-time funding of $350,000 for the Interim
Supervised Injection Site on Clarence Street, $42,000 for amendments to the Immunization
of School Pupils Act and $40,000 for minor capital renovations in the Immunization
clinic. And further, last Friday, April 13, the Minister of Health and
Long-Term Care wrote directly to Medical Officers of Health across the province
to announce “a two percent base funding increase to all boards of health for
the provision of public health programs and services.” Minister Jaczek wrote
that “an additional one percent increment will be allocated based on local
needs as detailed in the board of health Annual Service Plans submitted to the
ministry in March.” Nous
sommes heureux du financement consenti à nos programmes et nos services et je
fournirai d'autres précisions quant aux répercussions sur le budget de SPO dès
que nous en aurons.
In her letter to the
medical officers of health, Minister Jaczek highlighted the new requirement for
boards of health to engage with Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) in
integrated health system planning – “to include upstream interventions that
will improve health, reduce health inequities and assist in re-orienting the
health system”.
On this topic, I am pleased
to share that, last week, Chair Qadri and I signed the first Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) to formalize engagement between our public health unit and
the Champlain LHIN. The MOU outlines a common vision for healthy communities,
is intended to strengthen our collaboration, and lays out key areas of joint
work for 2018, such as:
·
Creating a
structure and processes for collaboration,
·
Population health
assessment and joint planning, and
·
Health
equity-related work.
The subject of strengthening
the public health sector in a time of increased expectations to contribute to
health care planning was discussed at the Association of Local Public Health
Agencies meeting the Chair mentioned I attended.
And, the subject of
collaboration between public health units and LHINs was a “hot topic” at The
Ontario Public Health Convention in March. Having led a research project that
examined the elements required for successful collaboration between LHINs and
public health agencies, I chaired a plenary panel discussion about the research
results that led to an expression of the risks and opportunities of increased
collaboration.
Many of my OPH colleagues
also made presentations on their respective programs and service areas at The
Ontario Public Health Convention. We were encouraged and inspired to continue
innovative and evidence-based approaches to promoting and protecting the health
of the population.
As we turn our attention to this
evening’s agenda, you will see before you a report on cannabis. We are continuing to prepare for
the local impacts with our municipal partners. I want to stress that this is an
evolving file with many moving parts that we will continue to monitor closely.
Looking ahead, OPH is pleased to be
partnering with the City of Ottawa’s Accessibility Office to co-host
AccessAbility Day in Ottawa on May 31st. SPO fournit des services et des
programmes accessibles qui répondent aux besoins en matière d'accessibilité des
personnes et reflètent les principes de dignité et d'indépendance. The AccessAbility Day event, here at
City Hall, will feature public health services, with a focus on how they are
delivered to the community in an inclusive way. We will make more details
available as the event approaches.
Mr Chair, that concludes my
verbal update.
Merci. Je peux prendre des
questions.