Item - 2016.HL14.5
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on November 8 and 9, 2016 without amendments.
- This item was considered by Board of Health on September 30, 2016 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on November 8 and 9, 2016.
HL14.5 - Hot Weather Response for Vulnerable People in Toronto
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on November 8 and 9, 2016, adopted the following:
1. City Council request the City Manager and Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to consider augmenting the current budget by $40,000, to enable opening of seven cooling centres on day one of a heat warning, as opposed to day three, on approximately 20 heat warning and extended heat warning days expected annually, and to enable the provision of snacks, drinks, program activities and better signage, for consideration with other City priorities during the 2017 Budget process.
Background Information (Board)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-96422.pdf
Communications (Board)
(September 28, 2016) Letter from Cathy Crowe (HL.New.HL14.5.2)
Motions (City Council)
Vote (Adopt Item) Nov-08-2016 2:09 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - HL14.5 - Adopt the item |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 30 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Jon Burnside, Shelley Carroll, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, Janet Davis, Glenn De Baeremaeker, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, Michael Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Michelle Holland, Jim Karygiannis, Mike Layton, Chin Lee, Josh Matlow, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Michael Thompson |
| Total members that voted No: 3 | Members that voted No are John Campbell, Stephen Holyday, Giorgio Mammoliti |
| Total members that were Absent: 11 | Members that were absent are Maria Augimeri, Christin Carmichael Greb, Vincent Crisanti, Justin J. Di Ciano, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mark Grimes, Norman Kelly, Cesar Palacio, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
HL14.5 - Hot Weather Response for Vulnerable People in Toronto
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Board Recommendations
The Board of Health recommends that:
1. City Council request the City Manager and Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to consider augmenting the current budget by $40,000, to enable opening of seven cooling centres on day 1of a heat warning, as opposed to day 3, on approximately 20 heat warning and extended heat warning days expected annually, and to enable the provision of snacks, drinks, program activities and better signage, for consideration with other City priorities during the 2017 Budget process.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Board of Health:
1. Requested the Acting Medical Officer of Health to report back in a Winter 2017 interim report that includes information on having a nurse (public health or street nurse) on site in all cooling centre locations.
2. Requested the Acting Medical Officer of Health, in collaboration with City Divisions and community agencies represented on the Hot Weather Response Committee, to review the Hot Weather Response Plan to assess access to cooling by people at risk from heat-related illness and death on days when Heat Warnings or Extended Heat Warnings are issued, and report back in the Fall 2017.
Origin
Summary
Toronto's Hot Weather Response Plan aims to reduce heat-related illness and death in Toronto, and has evolved continuously since it was first implemented in 1999. As part of a harmonization process undertaken by Ontario Health Units and Environment and Climate Change Canada, Toronto adopted new terminology and criteria for issuing Heat Warnings and Extended Heat Warnings in 2016. Applying the new criteria resulted in a shift in the timing and frequency for opening Cooling Centres as compared with previous years, raising questions about whether adequate supports were available for people who are vulnerable to the health impacts of hot weather.
Access to cooling is one of the most effective interventions to reduce heat-related illness. Previous research on the health impacts of hot weather in Toronto has shown that vulnerability to heat in Toronto is a complex issue, and that multiple strategies are needed to ensure that people in the City have adequate access to cooling. A review of Toronto's Hot Weather Response Plan to assess access to cooling by people at risk from heat-related illness and death will support decisions about how best to meet the needs of the City's vulnerable populations during hot weather.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-96422.pdf
Communications
(September 28, 2016) Letter from Cathy Crowe (HL.New.HL14.5.2)
Speakers
Motions
That:
1. Recommendation 1 be amended by:
a. replacing $30,000 with $40,000
b. adding "to enable the provision of snacks, drinks, program activities and better signage".
That:
1. The Acting Medical Officer of Health be requested to report back in a winter 2017 interim report that will include information on having a nurse (public health or street nurse) on site in all cooling centre locations.
That the Motion from Councillor Cressy, amending Recommendation 1, be forwarded to the Budget Committee for consideration as part of the 2017 budget process.