November 2022 Board of Health Meeting - Minutes

1. Call to Order

   Board Chair, G. McNamara, called the Regular meeting to order at 3:34 p.m. 

2. Agenda Approval
   Motion: That the agenda be approved.
   CARRIED
3. Announcement of Conflict of interest – None
4. Topical Update (Dr. S. Nesathurai)

   Cancer
   Dr. Nesathurai shared his thoughts on cancer, noting that every family and every community has been touched somehow by this disease.  In individuals in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, approximately 30% pass away from some sort of cancer, the most common being lung, colon, pancreatic and prostate.  There are approximately 1,200 deaths in Windsor-Essex each year, smoking being the leading cause of illness.  The WECHU has smoking cessation classes available with an average of 40-50 individuals in each class.  Currently, 1 in 5 people in Windsor-Essex smoke. 

   Cervical Cancer
   One tool that we have in medicine and at the health unit is vaccination.  We have been advocating the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for youth, which prevents certain types of cancer and can ultimately save lives.  Screening for cervical cancer is typically every 3 years.

   Breast Cancer
   The most important tool for early detection of Breast Cancer is screening, and our goal as public health leaders is to focus on prevention. 

   Lifestyle can also play a role in our health and we all have the responsibility to take care of ourselves through regular physical checkups, screening and vaccinations. 

   Motion: That the information be received.
   CARRIED

5. Approval of Minutes
   1. Regular Board Meeting:  October 20, 2022
      Motion: That the minutes be approved. 
      CARRIED

      K. Blanchette mentioned that commencing January 2023, Board of Health meetings will likely be held in-person. This is particularly important with new Board members.  

      Motion: That commencing January 2023, Board of Health meetings will be held in person. 
      CARRIED

6. Business Arising

   1. Board of Health By-Laws and Policies (For Approval) (L. Gregg)
      The following Board of Health By-laws and Policies presented today to the Board of Health are for final approval. 

      1. Public Attendance and Delegations at Board of Health Meetings
         Brought to the November Board of Health meeting for final approval. 

      2. Delegation of Duties
         Brought to the November Board of Health meeting for final approval.
      3. Performance of Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer
         Brought to the November Board of Health meeting for final approval.
      4. By-Law No. 1 – Governance
         Brought to the November Board of Health meeting for final approval.
      5. By-Law No. 2 – Finance
         Brought to the November Board of Health meeting for final approval.
      6. By-Law No. 3 – Human Resources
         Brought to the November Board of Health meeting for final approval.
      7. By-Law No. 4 – Management of Real Property
         Brought to the November Board of Health meeting for final approval.

         J. Lund asked if these By-laws were prepared under the Ontario Non-Profit Corporations Act. L. Gregg will confirm with legal that these requirements were satisfied.

         L. Gregg noted that our previous By-laws contained various legislation and policies imbedded into them.  These policies were extracted and brought forward. We found our By-law to be somewhat onerous and modeled our updated By-laws after other Ontario health units, and feel they are much more succinct. 

         G. McNamara believes a yearly review of the By-laws is a good opportunity to keep up to date with current legislation and that these four By-laws should be part of our strategic outlook going forward.  L. Gregg noted we will be striking a Governance Committee as previously discussed. G. McNamara noted that this is particularly important with a new contingent of board members to understand the duties and role of Board of Health member and moves to add an Audit and By-Law Committee to the Windsor-Essex County Board of Health list of Board committees.  The Board of Health will revisit Board Committees in the new year. 

         Motion: That the By-laws and Policies 6.1.1 to 6.1.7 presented to the Board be approved, and that Board Committees be revisited in the new year.

         CARRIED

7. Consent Agenda
   1. INFORMATION REPORTS

      1. Q3 Report (L. Gregg)
         L. Gregg advised that the Q3 Report was submitted to the Ministry on October 31, 2022, and provided a brief update on Mandatory Program Funding, COVID-19 General Funding and One-Time Funding requests.  This report has been brought to the Board for information.

      2. Windsor-Essex County Living Wage Program (E. Nadalin) 
         E. Nadalin said that the Living Wage Program aims to provide what a Living Wage is and encourages local employers to become Living Wage certified.  The health unit took over this program in 2017, and we have partnered with the Living Wage network to advance this program using provincial channels.  Living Wage in Windsor-Essex is $18.15, and the current Minimum Wage is $15.50. This report has been brought to the Board for information.

      3. Communications Report (October 2022) (E. Nadalin)
         E. Nadalin noted a recent joint media release with WECHU and a number of local partners encouraging people to stay up to date with vaccinations.  This is particularly important with hospitals operating over capacity.  This report has been brought to the Board for information.

         Motion: That the information be received.  
         CARRIED

   2. CORRESPONDENCE - None
8. Resolutions/Recommendation Reports - None

9. New Business - None

10. ​​​Committee of the Whole (CLOSED SESSION, in accordance with Section 239 of the Municipal Act)

    The Board moved into Committee of the Whole at 4:31 pm
    The Board moved out of Committee of the Whole at 5:05 pm

11. Next Meeting: At the Call of the Chair
12. Adjournment

    Chair, G. McNamara, wanted to take the opportunity on behalf of the Board to thank Rino Bortolin and Aldo DiCarlo for their role on the Board of Health.  He thanked R. Bortolin for his support and his work with the Consumption and Treatment Services Site, and improvements to the downtown core was done with professionalism.  His work with the Board has been exemplary.  

    R. Bortolin reiterated the work he has been able to do with the health unit, and how COVID changed the face of public health in this region.  Prior to COVID, many members of the public did not know the role of public health in their communities.  Health unit staff lead us through the pandemic and made us proud to be a part of this organization.  

    Chair, G. McNamara, thanked Aldo DiCarlo for stepping in as a Board of Health member and thanked him for his support, advice and professionalism and becoming a part of the organization when it was needed. 

    A. DiCarlo mentioned the continued hard work by health unit staff, and how important public health is in the community.  It took a pandemic to demonstrate that.  A. DiCarlo said it has been a privilege to serve on the Board of Health.

    K. Blanchette thanked the Board for their work with public health over the last 4 years, and hopes to see many return for another term. 

    Motion:  That the meeting be adjourned. 
    CARRIED
    The meeting adjourned at 5:10 pm.

RECORDING SECRETARY: L. Damphouse