January 2019 Board Meeting - Minutes

Ken Blanchette advised the Board that City of Windsor representation to the Board of Health has not yet been determined.  Therefore, the following 2 items on the agenda have been deferred until such time as city representation has been put in place:

• Item 9.1.3 – Main Premises Replacement Project (deferred to April)
• Item 9.2.1 – Consumption and Treatment Services Application (deferred to April)

1. Regular Board Meeting: November 15, 2018
   It was moved
   That the minutes be approved - CARRIED

Dr. Wajid Ahmed provided an update on this year’s Influenza season.  All confirmed cases (100%) have been identified as Influenza A with a predominant H1N1 strain.  A good portion of these cases, or 42%, were identified as children 10 years and under.  The WECHU prepared more communication and media around absenteeism in schools and increased awareness of the importance of receiving the flu shot. Last year a different strain had a different impact with 28% of confirmed cases affecting individuals 60 years and older.    This year’s vaccine has been a good match so far for Influenza A.

It was moved
That the presentation be received - CARRIED

1. INFORMATION REPORTS
   The following information reports were presented to the Board.
   1. Q3 Financial Results (L. Gregg)
      The Leadership Team of the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit monitors financial results on an on-going basis for the following programs (L. Gregg walked through these programs with the Board):
      • Mandatory programs funded to a maximum of 75% (“Cost-Shared”) by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (“MOHLTC”) and the Corporation of the City of Windsor, the Corporation of the County of Essex and the Corporation of the Township of Pelee
      • Related programs such as Vector-Borne Diseases and Small Drinking Water Systems, funded on a cost-shared basis to a maximum of 75% by the MOHLTC and certain surrounding municipalities within the geographic boundaries of Windsor and Essex County
      • Related programs funded 100% by the MOHLTC
      • Related programs funded 100% by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (“MCYS”)
      • One-time business cases
   2. Q3 Reporting (L. Gregg)
      The WECHU administers programs funded in whole or part by the MOHLTC and the MCYS.  Quarterly the WECHU is required to report to these Ministries the year-to-date budget to actual financial results for those programs, as well as provide forecasted annual financial results.  L. Gregg walked through these reports with the Board.

      Q3 Reporting to the Ministries include:
      • Q3 2018 Standards Activity Reports – at September 30, 2018 – submission to MOHLTC
      • Healthy Babies, Healthy Children Quarterly Financial Reports – 2018 Q3 – submission to the MCYS
      • Prenatal and Postnatal Nurse Practitioner Program Financial Report – 2018 Q3 – submission to the MCYS

   3. Main Premises Replacement Project (Deferred)
      This item on the agenda will be deferred until City of Windsor representatives to the Board of Health have been determined.
   4. Smoke Free Ontario Act, 2017 Update
      N. Dupuis introduced Eric Nadalin, WECHU Manager, Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, who provided an update on the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA), i.e. the legislation enforced by the WECHU.
      We will be looking to support our municipalities with their bylaws in regard to Cannabis.
   5. Bill S-228
      The Windsor-Essex County Board of Health passed a resolution in December 2016 to support federal legislation prohibiting all forms of commercial food and beverage marketing to children under 17 years old. Bill S-228 has undergone several amendments since it was tabled in Senate in 2016, and the version that was passed in the House of Commons only protects children under 13 years old from commercial marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages.

      The WECHU remains committed to protecting all children under 17 years old from all forms of commercial food and beverage marketing, and our dieticians continue to provide expert consultation to Health Canada for their Healthy Eating Strategy.  WECHU will also be developing a local strategy to limit children’s exposure to commercial food and beverage marketing in child-care centres, schools and recreational facilities to provide more comprehensive protection than provided by Bill S-228.

   6. Media Recap
      An overview of topics in the media related to public health for November and December were briefly discussed.

   It was moved
   That the information reports be received - CARRIED

2. RECOMMENDATION AND RESOLUTION REPORTS
   The following Recommendation/Resolution Report will be deferred.
   1. Consumption and Treatment Services Application (T. Marentette) – (Deferred)
      This item on the agenda will be deferred until City of Windsor representatives to the Board of Health have been determined.
      It was moved
      That the recommendation/resolution report be deferred - CARRIED
3. alPha 2019 Winter Symposium on February 21, 2019 – Toronto
   The Association of Public Health Agencies (alPHa) 2019 Winter Symposium is scheduled for Thursday, February 21 in Toronto.  A Board of Health Orientation Session is also being offered, and if any WECHU Board members which to attend, please advise L. Damphouse regarding registration.

1. Peterborough Public Health – For Support
   Smoke-free Ontario Act, 2017 – Letter to Hon. Caroline Mulroney
2. Thunder Bay District Health Unit – For Support
   HBHC Program – Letter to Hon. Lisa McLeod
3. Thunder Bay District Health Unit – for Support
   Ontario’s Basic Income Pilot – Letter to Hon. Doug Ford
   (The WECHU also sent its own letter to Premier Ford on this issue)

   It was moved
   That the above correspondence be supported - CARRIED

It was moved
That the Board move out of Committee of the Whole at 5:13 p.m. - CARRIED