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City of Toronto Council and Committees |
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All Council and Committee documents are available from the City of Toronto Clerk's office. Please e-mail clerk@toronto.ca.
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THE CITY OF TORONTO
Clerk's Department
Minutes of the Board of Health
Meeting No. 13
Tuesday, November 10, 1998.
The Board of Health met on Tuesday, November 10, 1998, in Committee Room C, 2nd
Floor, Metro Hall, Toronto, commencing at 2:00 p.m.
Members Present:
Councillor John Filion, Chair
Councillor Gerry Altobello
Councillor Anne Johnston
Councillor Irene Jones
Councillor Joan King
Councillor Joe Mihevc
Councillor Michael Prue
Elca Rennick
Robert Davies
Observers: Gerri Gershon, Toronto District School Board
Councillor Jones assumed the chair.
Confirmation of Minutes.
On motion by Councillor Filion, the Board of Health amended Minute
No. 135 of the minutes of its meeting of October 13, 1998 by
amending Recommendation (3) therein by adding the words and other
large Boards in Canada after the words all Boards of Health in
Ontario , so as to read:
135. (3) that the Board of Health forward this report
and its recommendations to all Boards of
Health in Ontario and other large Boards of
Health in Canada, recommending that they
support The Tobacco Industry Responsibility
Act.
Councillor Filion resumed the chair.
143. Public Health Grants - 1999 Governance
The Board of Health had before it a report (October 30, 1998) from the Medical
Officer of Health recommending that the Board of Health assume overall governance
of Public Health Grants programs, as follows:
(a) The Board of Health, on the recommendation of the Medical Officer of Health
in January, 1999, will appoint the members of the 1999 AIDS Prevention and
Drug Abuse Prevention Review Panels. The Review Panels shall include City
Council members, Board of Health members, informed citizens, and, in the
case of AIDS Prevention, people living with HIV or AIDS;
(b) the Medical Officer of Health will promote the 1999 Public Health Grants
program, make applications available to groups, and prepare a staff report
for the AIDS Prevention and Drug Abuse Prevention Review Panels;
(c) Review Panels will review all applications, make recommendations, hear
appeals from applicants, and make a final report to the Board of Health;
and
(d) the Board of Health will approve the recommendations of the Review Panels
and forward those recommendations to City Council.
On motion by Councillor Jones, the Board of Health adopted the
report (October 30, 1998) from the Medical Officer of Health.
(Medical Officer of Health - November 16, 1998)
144. Interim Arrangements for the Provisions of Animal Sheltering and Related Services
for Wards 19 to 26
The Board of Health had before it a report (October 30, 1998) from the Medical
Officer of Health recommending that the Chief Administrative Officer and the
Medical Officer of Health be authorized to extend the existing contract to
December 31, 1999, between the Toronto Humane Society and the City of Toronto for
animal sheltering services for Wards 19 - 26, upon the same terms and conditions,
in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.
On motion by Councillor Johnston, the Board of Health
recommended to City Council the adoption of the report
(October 30, 1998) from the Medical Officer of Health.
(Report No. 13, Clause 2)
145. Budget Update - Corporate Pressures and Process
The Board of Health had before it a report (November 6, 1998) from the Secretary,
Budget Subcommittee of the Board of Health forwarding the report (November 5,
1998) from the Medical Officer of Health and recommending that it be received for
information.
The Board of Health also had before it the following:
- report (November 9, 1998) from the Northern Health Area Community Health
Board of the former City of Toronto advising that it adopted the following
Motion proposed by Cathy Kozma:
The Northern Health Area Community Health Board recognizes the ongoing
budget pressures that the City of Toronto is facing, however, it is not
possible to support a proposed budget reduction ranging from 10-20%.
1. A reduction in front line services will impact on the public health
of the citizens of Toronto;
2. A 6.5% proposed cut assigned in 1997 was not considered of merit
and should not be imposed in 1998;
3. Service harmonization options previously identified have not yet
been implemented;
(a) the control of tuberculosis is exceptionally important
related to the homeless and underhoused;
(b) the needle exchange program is necessary to prevent HIV/AIDS
as well as other communicable disease transmission;
(c) dental services are important to the health of seniors and
children;
(d) the recommendations of the September 15, 1998 Board of
Health related to the AIDS and Drug Abuse Prevention Grants
of $1,500,000 continue to be supported to enable service
delivery on a community basis;
4. That the three recommendations highlighted in the November 7, 1998
Community Safety conference related to Substance Abuse be
considered by the Board of Health inclusive of alcohol and over the
counter medication;
5. Food access grants be priorized to children in schools to increase
the capacity for optimal learning;
6. Food safety related to inspection of restaurants must be adequately
maintained related to the number of people entering the core of the
City.
The Board of Health received the report (November 6, 1998) from the
Medical Officer of Health for information.
(Medical Officer of Health - November 16, 1998)
146. The Public Health Response to Homelessness
The Board of Health had before it a report (November 5, 1998) from the Medical
Officer of Health recommending that:
(1) The Board of Health endorse Council s position on homelessness as a
national disaster.
(2) Public Health provide enhanced support through reallocation to deal with
the emergency needs for this winter, especially related to Cold Weather
Alerts, Young Parents With No Fixed Address and support to workers in
agencies who deal with high risk groups.
(3) Public Health continue working with the Coroner s Office to create a
registry to track deaths among the homeless.
(4) Public Health ensure that any requests for future funding, such as, food
access, tuberculosis control, dental services, mental health and needle exchange
programs include adequate provisions for homeless and underhoused persons.
(5) Public Health work with the school boards to identify collaborative
strategies to assist students from homeless and underhoused families.
(6) The Board of Health request the Minister of Health to increase the funding
to the Community Care Access Centres (CCACs) so that they are better able
to meet the specific needs of their service communities, particularly in
the area of mental health service co-ordination.
(7) The Board of Health request the Ministry of Health to implement its plans
and funding for mental health reform immediately.
(8) The Medical Officer of Health explore the possibility of dollars from
emergency hostel monies being directed to help prevent homelessness and
underhousing; and
(9) The Board of Health call on the Ministry of Health to fund Public Health
Units across the province to address homelessness as an urgent health
issue.
The Board of Health also had before it the following reports/communications:
- (October 15, 1998) from Cathy Crowe, Toronto Disaster Relief Committee
requesting endorsement of the report (October, 1998), titled Proposal for
Emergency Relief Strategy for the City of Toronto , which outlines
strategies for relief efforts to:
- provide immediate respite and safety for homeless people; and
- to prevent further threats to homeless people s physical and mental
health; and
- A copy of the Booklet (October 1998) from the Toronto Disaster Relief
Committee, titled State of Emergency Declaration: An Urgent Call for
Emergency Humanitarian Relief & Prevention Measures distributed to Members
of the Board of Health only and is on file in the City Clerk s Division.
- (November 9, 1998) from the Northern Health Area Community Health Board of
the former City of Toronto advising that it adopted the following Motion
proposed by Anne Marie Keogh:
(a) That the Northern Health Area Community Health Board supports the
Recommendations 1-9 as listed in the November 5, 1998 report.
(b) That in addition, another recommendation be added to the report
requesting that the Board of Health approach the Provincial Medical
Officer of Health to ensure that the issues of mental health,
violence, and substance abuse as related to the homeless and
underhoused be included in the provincial mandatory health
guidelines .
- (November 3, 1998) from Cathy Crowe, RN, Queen West Community Health
Centre, on behalf of the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee
- (November 10, 1998) from Cathy Crowe, RN, Queen West Community Health
Centre, on behalf of the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee, submitting a
list of recommendations
- (November 10, 1998) from Catherine Spence
- (November 10, 1998) from Barbara Craig, RN, Street Health
- (November 10, 1998) from Ase Hallgren, Toronto Disaster Relief Committee
The following persons appeared before the Board of Health in connection with the
foregoing matter:
- Cathy Crowe, Toronto Disaster Relief Committee
- Dennis Flaherty
- Don Weitz
- Lee Zaslofsky
- Dr. Joel Lexchin
- Dr. Catherine Spence
- Brent Patterson, The Community AIDS Treatment & Information Exchange
- Beric German, Outreach Worker, AIDS Program, Street Health Community
Nursing Foundation
- Sharole Gabriel
-. Shirley Farlinger, United Nations Association in Canada
- Dr. Bob Frankford, Seaton House
- Bonnie Benedik
- Hazel Jackson, Toronto Disaster Relief Committee
- Ase Hallgren, Toronto Disaster Relief Committee
- Maurice Adongo, Mental Health Program, Street Health Community Nursing
Foundation
- Barbara Craig, RN, Street Health Community Nursing Foundation
- Ann Fitzpatrick, Children s Aid of Toronto
- Kolin Davidson
- Bonnie Briggs
On motion by Councillor Mihvec, the Board of Health:
(1) adopted the report (November 5, 1998) from the Medical
Officer of Health;
(2) requested the Medical Officer of Health to consider written
and verbal comments presented to the Board for inclusion
into an appropriate action strategy;
(3) requested the Medical Officer of Health to examine modifying
the -15 degrees Celsius prerequisite for calling a Cold
Weather Emergency Alert;
(4) urged the Federal and Provincial Governments to reinvest in
affordable housing; and
(5) requested the Chief Administrative Officer to report to
Council on the provision of emergency funding to support
public health initiatives and expansion of shelter services
for the homeless
On motion by Councillor Prue, the Board of Health:
(6) requested the Medical Officer of Health to urgently request
that Moss Park Armoury be opened;
On motion by Councillor Johnston, the Board of Health:
(7) requested the Mayor to consider invoking the provisions of
the Emergency Planning By-law for the purpose of allocating
resources, including staff, to respond to the homelessness
issue; and
(8) requested the Public Health Division to take a proactive
role in communicating to the public and media the nature and
scope of this issue; and
On motion by Councillor King, the Board of Health, in view of the
pending inclement weather forecasted for this evening, also
requested the Medical Officer of Health to immediately begin to
explore the possibility of opening the Moss Park Armoury or another
suitable building that night (November 10, 1998) to house the
homeless and advise the Board of Health during the course of its
meeting as to the outcome of her findings.
(Medical Officer of Health, Mayor Lastman, Chief Administrative
Officer; cc: Interested Persons - November 16, 1998)
147. Phasing Out Pesticide Use in the City of Toronto
The Board of Health had before it a report (October 30, 1998) from the Medical
Officer of Health recommending that:
(1) The Board of Health and City Council make a commitment to the reduction and
phase out of pesticides used on City-owned lands;
(2) the Board of Health and City Council request the Medical Officer of Health
and the Toronto Inter-Departmental Environment Team (TIE) to:
(a) establish a Pesticides Subcommittee, with representatives from
relevant departments and the public, to develop a Corporate policy
and action plan for the reduction and phase out of pesticides used
on City-owned lands;
(b) report through the Medical Officer of Health to the Board of Health
by April 1999 on the Corporate policy and action plan; and
(c) implement the first phase of the action plan in the summer of 1999.
(3) the Board of Health request the Commissioner of Economic Development,
Culture and Tourism and the Medical Officer of Health to submit a joint
report to the Board of Health and to the Economic Development Committee on
the findings of a survey of pesticide-free maintenance programs in other
jurisdictions and the options for implementing a pesticide-free maintenance
program in Toronto parks;
(4) the Medical Officer of Health and the Toronto Inter-Departmental
Environment Team (TIE) develop and implement an action plan to pilot the
use of Integrated Pest Management in City-owned indoor properties;
(5) the Medical Officer of Health and the Toronto Inter-Departmental
Environment Team (TIE) develop and implement, in collaboration with
community organizations, a coordinated pesticide public education program
to help residents reduce their exposures and assist them in making informed
decisions about pesticide use;
(6) City Council request that the federal Minister of Health:
(a) document non-agricultural pesticide use;
(b) require disclosure of the names of inert ingredients on pest
control product labels; and
(c) remove the exemption which applies to pesticides under the
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS).
(7) City Council request that the Ontario Minister of Environment:
(a) research and implement economic incentives to promote the use of
sustainable pest management strategies;
(b) establish a 1% waste handling charge on all pesticides sold in
Ontario; and
(c) foster an industry stewardship initiative to collect unused or
unwanted pest control products and their containers from
residential households.
The Board of Health also had before it the following reports/communications:
- (October 30, 1998) from the Toronto Public Health, Environmental Protection
Office
- (October 29, 1998) from the Chair, Environmental Task Force, addressed to
Works and Utilities Committee, Board of Health and Community and
Neighbourhood Services Committee recommending:
(1) That City Council indicate its support for the development of
targets, strategies and actions to eliminate uses of chemical
pesticides on public green space and in public buildings by all
City departments, agencies, boards and commissions and that
targets, strategies and actions be established in time for
preparation for the 1999 growing season (ie. winter, 1998);
(2) That City Council and relevant City departments, agencies, boards
and commissions be advised that the Task Force strongly supports
the following actions which are underway by City staff:
i) an inventory of types, volumes and reasons for chemical
pesticide use both indoors and outdoors by all City
departments, agencies, boards and commissions; and
ii) strategies and options to reduce/eliminate chemical
pesticide uses in the City of Toronto.
(3) That City Council be advised that the Environmental Task Force is
willing to assist by examining the issue of chemical pesticides,
including the reports being prepared by City staff, and
recommending a plan which will include targets, time lines,
options and strategies for the elimination of pesticide uses in
Toronto;
(4) That the Works and Utilities Committee receive this report for
information;
(5) That the Board of Health adopt this report and forward it to City
Council together with the report on pesticides from the Medical
Officer of Health;
(6) That the Community and Neighbourhood Services Committee receive
this report for information and consideration together with the
pending report requested by City Council on pesticide alternatives
and costs involved from the Commissioner of Economic Development,
Culture and Tourism; and
(7) That the Toronto Inter-departmental Environment Team (TIE) submit
the inventory of indoor and outdoor pesticide uses and the proposed
corporate strategy for the reduction/elimination of outdoor
pesticide uses to the Environmental Task Force by fall 1998 en
route to Standing Committee..
- (November 5, 1998) from Dr. Sakuls, The Ontario College of Family
Physicians
- (November 5, 1998) from Lorraine Johnson, Toronto
- (November 9, 1998) from Northern Health Area Community Health Board of the
former City of Toronto
- (Undated) from Peter Leiss, Vice President, Toronto Civic Employees Union
Local 416
- (November 10, 1998) from Ramona Burke, Etobicoke
On motion by Councillor Mihevc, the Board of Health adopted the
report (October 30, 1998) from the Medical Officer of Health
subject to the following amendment, and recommended that Council,
at its meeting on November 25, 1998, also adopt this report as
amended:
(1) Amending Recommendation (1) by adding the following:
(a) by developing targets, strategies and actions
to eliminate the use of pesticides to be
established in time for the 1999 growing
season; and
(b) with the goal of designating all public green space
in Toronto as pesticide free by Spring 1999,
allowing for exceptions, such as emergency
infestations to be determined by the Commissioner of
Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, in
consultation with the Pesticide Subcommittee
described in Recommendation (2).
(2) amending Recommendation (2) (a) and (b) so as to read:
(a) establish a Pesticides Subcommittee, with
representatives from the public and representatives
from CUPE Local 416, relevant departments including
personnel with demonstrated expertise in pesticide
reduction, and from businesses with demonstrated
expertise in pesticide-free horticultural practices.
This Pesticide Subcommittee will develop a Corporate
policy and action plan for the reduction and phase
out of pesticides used on City-owned lands;
(b) implement the action plan by Spring 1999 and report
to the Board of Health;
(3) amending Recommendation (5) to read:
(5) the Medical Officer of Health and the Toronto Inter-
Departmental Environment Team (TIE)
(a) investigate the feasibility of
regulating the use of pesticides on
private property as is presently done
in the City of Westmount, Quebec; and
(b) develop and implement, in
collaboration with community
organizations, a coordinated
pesticide public education program to
help residents reduce their exposures
and assist them in making informed
decisions about pesticide use and
report to the Board of Health;
(4) amending Recommendation (7) by adding the following:
(d) provide enabling legislation for municipalities to
regulate the use of pesticides within municipal
boundaries
(5) adding the following additional recommendation:
(8) City of Toronto Agencies, Boards, Commissions and
School Boards be invited to participate on the
Pesticide Subcommittee and participate in the City s
goal for a pesticides-free green space.
(Medical Officer of Health; cc: Commissioner of Economic
Development, Culture and Tourism, Toronto Inter-Departmental
Environment Team (TIE), Interested Persons - November 16, 1998)
(Report No. 13, Clause 1)
148. Reducing Indoor Pesticide Spraying in the Residential Sector
The Board of Health had before it a report (October 30, 1998) from the Medical
Officer of Health recommending:
(1) That the Board of Health endorse Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as the
least-toxic, most effective method for controlling cockroaches in houses
and multi-unit residential buildings;
(2) that Public Health staff work with staff in other divisions and departments
to develop an action plan to implement widespread use of IPM for cockroach
control. Creation of the action plan should address the following aspects:
(a) Promotion of IPM for cockroach control in city-owned residential
buildings;
(b) Review of municipal by-laws that concern cockroach control in
multi-unit residential buildings, including recommendations for
improvement as warranted; and
(c) Development of a consistent public response strategy by municipal
officials that encourages City residents to use IPM methods for
cockroach control instead of traditional pesticide spraying.
The Board of Health also had before it a copy of the reports from Canada Mortgage
and Housing Corporation headed Farewell to Cockroaches and Curbing Cockroaches:
The Least Toxic Way , and (1998) Toronto Public Health report headed Cockroach
Control in the Housing Sector: Evaluation of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Demonstration Project for an Apartment Complex .
The following persons appeared before the Board of Health in connection with the
foregoing matter:
- Rich Wate, Toronto Environmental Alliance, Toronto
- Peter Leiss, CUPE Local 416
On motion by Councillor Mihevc, the Board of Health amended
Recommendation (1) of the report (October 30, 1998) from the
Medical Officer of Health by incorporating the words and all other
City-owned buildings , so as to read:
(1) That the Board of Health endorse Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) as the least-toxic, most effective
method for controlling cockroaches in houses and
multi-residential buildings and all other City-owned
buildings;
and adopted the report as amended.
(Medical Officer of Health; cc: Commissioner of Community and
Neighbourhood Services, Commissioner of Corporate Services,
Interested Persons - November 16, 1998)
149. A Multi-faceted Food Access Strategy for the City of Toronto
The Board of Health had before it a report (November 4, 1998) from the Medical
Officer of Health recommending that:
(1) the Board of Health receive this report for information; and
(2) the Medical Officer of Health provide proposals for refinancing the Food
Access Program Grants within the 1999 Public Health Budget report to the
Board of Health in December.
The Board of Health also had before it a report (November 9, 1998) from the
Northern Health Area Community Health Board of the former City of Toronto advising
that it supports the Recommendations 1 and 2 as listed in the November 4, 1998
report, entitled A Multi-Faceted Food Access Strategy for the City of Toronto
On motion by Councillor Mihevc, the Board of Health:
(1) Adopted the report (November 4, 1998) from the Medical
Officer of Health; and
(2) forwarded a copy of the report to the Municipal Grants
Review Committee with a request to include Food Access
Grants in its deliberations and requested appropriate Public
Health staff to attend this meeting.
(Municipal Grants Review Committee; cc: Medical Officer of Health -
November 16, 1998)
150. Toronto Heart Health Program
The Board of Health had before it a report (October 29, 1998) from the Medical
Officer of Health recommending that:
(1)
( The Board of Health approve the four strategic directions outlined in this
report; and
(2) the Board of Health demonstrate commitment to preventing cardiovascular
disease through the ongoing allocation of sufficient staff resources to
implement a comprehensive heart health program in the city of Toronto over
the next five years.
The Board of Health also had before it a report (November 9, 1998) from the
Northern Health Area Community Health Board of the former City of Toronto advising
that it adopted the following Motion proposed by Anne Marie Keogh:
(a) That the Northern Health Area Community Health Board supports the
recommendations as listed on the November 10, 1998 agenda.
(b) That education also be directed to children with diabetes and their
families related to the prevention of heart disease.
On motion by Councillor Johnston, the Board of Health adopted the
report (October 29, 1998) from the Medical Officer of Health.
(Medical Officer of Health - November 16, 1998)
151. Access and Equity to Health: Immigrant and Refugee Issues
The Board of Health had before it a report (October 30, 1998) from the Medical
Officer of Health recommending that:
(1) The Board of Health reaffirm its commitment to access and equity, and
immigrant and refugee health issues;
(2) the Board of Health direct Toronto Public Health to continue to integrate
principles of access and equity in the provision of public health services
and programs and respond to the health needs of Toronto s immigrants and
refugees; and
(3) the Board of Health forward this report to the Task Force on Community
Access and Equity and the Advisory Committee on Immigration and Refugee
Issues in Toronto.
On motion by Councillor Jones, the Board of Health adopted the
report (October 30, 1998) from the Medical Officer of Health.
(Task Force on Community Access and Equity, Advisory Committee on
Immigration and Refugee Issues in Toronto; cc: Medical Officer of
Health, Interested Persons - November 16, 1998)
The meeting adjourned at 5:07 p.m.
Chair.
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