June 2019 Board Meeting - Minutes

John Scott, acting as Board Chair in Gary McNamara’s absence, called the meeting to order at 4:06 p.m.

Nominations for Treasurer
The Chair opened the floor for nominations for the position of Treasurer noting that Administration had not received any written nominations.  Judy Lund nominated Tracey Bailey for the position of Treasurer. The Chair asked for nominations from the floor (three times). Given that there were no further nominations, nominations for the position of Treasurer were closed. Tracey Bailey, having accepted the nomination, was appointed Treasurer by acclamation.

The Under 25 program has been in effect since 2014.  There are two pieces of legislation which regulate the promotion and sale of vaping products in Ontario. The federal Tobacco and Vaping Products Act (TVPA) aims to address the rising popularity of vaping products among young people by placing restrictions on how they can be advertised. At the provincial level, the Smoke-free Ontario Act 2017 (SFOA) further regulates these products by restricting their sale to minors, regulating how they can be displayed in storefronts, and restricting their use in certain public spaces. The SFOA is enforced locally by the Tobacco Enforcement Officers (TEOs) at the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) who inspect spaces proactively, ensure the region’s 223 e-cigarette vendors are operating in compliance, and conduct youth access test shopping inspections to discourage the sale of these products to minors.

Although there is little research on the long-term health impacts of these products and second-hand exposure, preliminary studies show an association between the use of these products and an increased risk of uptake and intensity of tobacco smoking (Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (PHO, 2018)). In Canada student use of vaping products has increased by 30% each year between 2015 and 2017. Our schools are aware of the program and toolkits will be available on our health unit website.

School Vaping Prevention Toolkit: In order to assist teachers and school administrators in providing students with credible and reliable information about the use of e-cigarettes and the associated health impacts, a toolkit has been created which will be provided to the WECHU Public Health Nurses on the Healthy Schools team. The toolkit includes:
• A guide for parents and teachers on “How to Talk to Teenagers about E-cigarettes”
• Fact sheets (for parents, teachers and teenagers)
• Vaping prevention posters and postcards
•Training presentation for teachers about e-cigarettes and the health effects of vaping and vapour products

Elements of this toolkit have already been utilized in schools, but the full packages will be distributed to all secondary schools, and any other requesting schools, beginning September 2019.

1. Regular Board Meeting: May 16, 2019
   Moved by: Tracy Bailey
   Seconded by: Ed Sleiman
   That the minutes be approved accepted as amended.
   CARRIED

1. INFORMATION REPORTS
   The following information reports were presented to the Board.
   1. Smoke-Free Ontario – Addressing Youth Vaping in WE County
      Brought to the Board for information.
   2. Vision Screening
      T. Marentette noted that the Vision Screening program is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education. Commencing September 2018, Ontario Pubic Health Standards require local public health units to screen all children in Senior Kindergarten.  WECHU was provided funding for the screening tools and are using existing staff and nursing students to move vision screening forward.  Of the 1,400 children screened so far, 34.8% were referred to an optometrist for follow up.
   3. Immunization Coverage Report
      Brought to the Board for information.
   4. Media Recap
      Brought to the Board for information.

   Moved by: Rino Bortolin
   Seconded by: Larry Snively
   That the Information Reports be received.
   CARRIED

2. RECOMMENDATION/RESOLUTION REPORTS
   1. Smoke-Free – Smoke/Vape Free Outdoor Spaces
      E. Nadalin, WECHU Manager, Chronic Disease and Injury Protection, noted new legislation and the passing of the updated Smoke-Free Ontario Act 2017 to include vaping products and cannabis, requiring us to amend our previous resolution to indicate which products are included.  WECHU requires Board of Health support and endorsement in order to move forward with this resolution and work together with our municipalities.  The following Recommendation/Resolution Report was brought forward to the Board for support and approval: Smoke/Vape-Free Outdoor Spaces - New opportunities for municipalities and policy makers

      Moved by: Larry Snively
      Seconded by: Dr. Debbie Kane
      That the Recommendation/Resolution Report be supported and approved.
      CARRIED

1. CTS Application – New Addition to Agenda
   R. Bortolin inquired on the status of the CTS Application.  T. Marentette advised that the heath unit is preparing a draft report for the July Board Education Session, and she is currently compiling information and working in collaboration with other local agencies to populate the CTS Application. Once presented to the Board, it will be released to the public. The biggest obstacle in completing it will be identifying a location, which is mandatory for the application.  Approval from the municipality (Windsor) where it will likely be situated must also be obtained. WECHU will seek more guidance and direction from JBEC.

1. Status Report – Follow up Work Impacted by the ONA Strike (T. Marentette)
   T. Marentette provided a brief update on the following various programs and their impact during the recent labour disruption:
   Smoking Cessation
   Naloxone
   Home Visiting (HBHC)
   Post-partum Assessment
   Lactation Consultant
   Immunization (Gr. 12)
   Immunization (Gr. 7)
   IDP
   Clinic
   Outbreaks
2. Status of Capital Project (T. Marentette)
   Our existing building does not currently meet the needs of our programs or staff and the lease at our current space expires in 2023.  WECHU was awarded funding for the Seniors Dental program increasing the need for more space.  Criteria for the Expression of Interest has already been identified with Colliers.
3. Fluoride Update (W. Ahmed)
   W. Ahmed advised that the City of Windsor recently passed a motion to add fluoride into the City’s water system and we will reaching out to WUC on potential timelines.
4. alPHa AGM – Overview
   The June 2019 Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) AGM in June 2019 was attended by Dr. Wajid Ahmed, Lorie Gregg, John Scott and Judy Lund. With the recent budget announcement by the Province to cut $2.1 billion from healthcare, and regionally amalgamating 35 health units across Ontario to 10, this was the most attended alPHa AGM with representation from all 35 health units across Ontario.  As a region, Windsor-Essex is one of the lowest funded health units in Ontario and continues to maintain efficiencies.  We have our unique challenges in Windsor-Essex, and there are significant concerns if we are joined together regionally.

   In July and August the province will be reaching out to health units and other various groups for feedback.  We need to advocate for the needs in our communities and hopefully this will have an impact moving forward.

5. July Board Education Session – Program Overview, Budget Presentation, Financial Statement Resolution, Community Needs Assessment Update (T. Marentette)
   Quorum will be required for our Financial Statement Resolution, and an update will be provided on our Community Needs Assessment, previously completed in 2016.

1. Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington – For Support
   Health Promotion – Letter to Hon. Christine Elliott
2. Regional Municipality of York  – For Support
   Immunization Registy – Letter to Gary McNamara

Moved by: Judy Lund
Seconded by: Tracey Bailey
That the above correspondence be supported and/or received for information as noted.
CARRIED

Moved by:  Judy Lund
Seconded by:  Tracey Bailey
That the Board move out of Committee of the Whole at 5:34 p.m.
CARRIED