Item - 2020.HL23.1

Tracking Status

  • City Council adopted this item on November 25, 2020 with amendments.
  • This item was considered by Board of Health on November 16, 2020 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on November 25, 2020.

HL23.1 - Response to COVID-19: Persevering Through Resurgence

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Amended
Wards:
All

City Council Decision

City Council on November 25 and 26, 2020, adopted the following:

 

1.  City Council call on the Federal and Provincial Governments to provide financial resources to support increased community outreach in high transmission neighbourhoods to support access to COVID-19 testing, the promotion of voluntary self-isolation facilities, and access to health and social services.

 

2.  City Council urge the Federal and Provincial Governments to immediately accelerate the distribution, expand the reach, and make completely accessible and transparent all financial supports directed toward people, including populations that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 such as women, racialized individuals, low-income individuals and those living with disabilities.

 

3.  City Council urge the Federal and Provincial Governments and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization to consider the following when promoting and distributing future approved COVID-19 vaccines:

 

a.  prioritizing populations so that vaccination has the greatest impact on disease burden and transmission at the time of the availability of the vaccine;

 

b.  this prioritization should include patient care staff to ensure that the health system remains available to respond to the needs of the population and those at highest risk of more serious complications of COVID-19 once infected; and

 

c.  early distribution based on the geographic burden of disease, including disadvantaged populations.

 

4.  City Council request the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario to ensure that the financial burden of the COVID-19 pandemic is shared equitably across Canadian society.

 

5.  City Council call on the Provincial Government to urgently take all necessary steps, in coordination with the Government of Canada where appropriate, to ensure that supplies of the influenza vaccine are readily available, especially for vulnerable and priority populations.

  

6.  City Council call on the Provincial Government to provide adequate paid sick days and income supports for those who need to isolate but cannot afford to do and for workers and businesses affected by public health restrictions.

 

7.  City Council request the Provincial Government to reinstate the moratorium on residential and commercial evictions applicable at a minimum for the lockdown period initiated on November 23, 2020 and lasting until the lockdown is lifted.

 

8. City Council request the Provincial Government to establish a coordinated and seamless COVID-19 pandemic response for the Greater Toronto Area to clearly deal with issues like lockdowns, colour coding designations for COVID-19 restrictions, and all Public Health Measures Table initiatives affecting the more than 6 million people in the Greater Toronto Area.

 

9.  City Council urge the Ontario Ministry of Health to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the impact of the pandemic on mental health and well-being to inform the need for additional supports or programs required to mitigate the associated harms.

 

10.  City Council urge the Ontario Ministry of Health to ensure that flu vaccine promotion and distribution is targeted across Toronto, with a particular focus on those at higher risk such as racialized and low-income populations.

 

11.  City Council request the Provincial Government to clarify, under the COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open:

 

a. when indoor leisure skating is permitted; and

 

b. capacity limits specifically pertaining to indoor ice rinks.

 

12.  City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to:

 

a. open indoor leisure skating as soon as public health guidance permits and as is operationally feasible; and

 

b. expand the availability of indoor leisure skate, to include, wherever possible and where there are no conflicts with existing permits, all of the hours Monday to Friday 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, at all City operated indoor arenas, when the Provincial Orders, public health guidance and operational feasibility allow such activities to resume.

 

13.  City Council request the City of Toronto's COVID-19 Immunization Task Force, in coordination with counterparts at the Federal and Provincial Governments, to promote the safety and efficacy of vaccination against COVID-19 and to address vaccine hesitancy in multiple languages and with targeted outreach to vulnerable populations.

 

14.  City Council request the City Manager to report to the December 16 and 17, 2020 meeting of City Council on the Provincial response to Council's requests to the Provincial Government to implement enhanced income supports, a moratorium on evictions of residential tenants and paid sick days.

 

15.  City Council authorize the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to implement targeted COVID-19 Community Education and Engagement Equity Measures in vulnerable communities with high infection rates (i.e. hotspots) and communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, including entering into agreements or other suitable arrangements to provide funding up to $5 million to community agencies, to partner with the City on the provision of targeted outreach, case management for residents, food access supports, mental health supports and the provision of masks for the next five months.

 

16.  City Council request the Government of Canada to provide funding for the City's Enhanced COVID-19 Supports for Targeted Neighbourhoods as described in Part 15 above, starting with up to $5 million for the two hotspot areas of northwest and northeast Toronto and for scaling up as necessary.

 

17.  City Council authorize the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to apply for and receive funding from other governments for Enhanced COVID-19 Supports for Targeted Neighbourhoods.

 

18.  City Council authorize the Mayor and the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to negotiate and execute funding agreements, and any amendments, with other governments for Enhanced COVID-19 Supports for Targeted Neighbourhoods, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

 

19.  City Council authorize the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to make the necessary budget adjustments to the 2020 Operating Budget for Social Development, Finance and Administration (net $0) to utilize and spend funding for Enhanced COVID-19 Supports for Targeted Neighbourhoods, and to include necessary funds in the 2021 Budget submission (net $0) for Social Development, Finance and Administration.

 

20.  City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to report to the Executive Committee in the first quarter of 2021 on the success of the program and money received from the other governments for its delivery.

 

21.  City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services and the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to report to the Economic and Community Development Committee in 2021 on: 

 

a. access to suicide prevention support services by Torontonians;

 

b. an opportunities to strengthen recognition, referral and coordination with support and response services by front line City services; and

 

c. the potential for a 9-88 service as adopted in the United States.

City Council Decision Advice and Other Information

The Medical Officer of Health gave a presentation on Response to COVID-19: Persevering through Resurgence. 

Background Information (Board)

(November 4, 2020) Report from the Medical Officer of Health on Response to COVID-19: Persevering Through Resurgence
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-158124.pdf
(November 16, 2020) Presentation from the Associate Director, Communicable Disease Control, Toronto Public Health, the Acting Manager, Surveillance and Epidemiology, Toronto Public Health, and the Medical Officer of Health on Response to COVID-19: Persevering Through Resurgence
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-158458.pdf

Background Information (City Council)

Presentation from the Medical Officer of Health on Response to COVID-19: Persevering through Resurgence Presentation to City Council
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-158855.pdf

Communications (Board)

(November 16, 2020) Submission from Josh Fullan, Maximum City (HL.New.HL23.1.1)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/hl/comm/communicationfile-123089.pdf
(November 15, 2020) Submission from Derek Moran (HL.New.HL23.1.2)
(November 15, 2020) Submission from Faisal Hassan, Member of Provincial Parliament, York South-Weston (HL.New.HL23.1.3)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/hl/comm/communicationfile-123126.pdf

Motions (City Council)

1 - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Mayor John Tory (Carried)

That:

 

1. City Council authorize the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to implement targeted COVID-19 Community Education and Engagement Equity Measures in vulnerable communities with high infection rates (i.e. hotspots) and communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, including entering into agreements or other suitable arrangements to provide funding up to $5M to community agencies, to partner with the City on the provision of targeted outreach, case management for residents, food access supports, mental health supports and the provision of masks for the next five months.

 

2. City Council request the Government of Canada to provide funding for the City's Enhanced COVID-19 Supports for Targeted Neighbourhoods as described in Part 1 above, starting with up to $5 million for the two hotspot areas of northwest and northeast Toronto and for scaling up as necessary.

 

3. City Council authorize the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to apply for and receive funding from other governments for Enhanced COVID-19 Supports for Targeted Neighbourhoods.

 

4. City Council authorize the Mayor and the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to negotiate and execute funding agreements, and any amendments, with other governments for Enhanced COVID-19 Supports for Targeted Neighbourhoods, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

 

5. City Council authorize the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to make the necessary budget adjustments to the 2020 Operating Budget for Social Development, Finance and Administration (net $0) to utilize and spend funding for Enhanced COVID-19 Supports for Targeted Neighbourhoods, and to include necessary funds in the 2021 Budget submission (net $0) for Social Development, Finance and Administration.

 

6. City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to report to the Executive Committee in the first quarter of 2021 on the success of the program and money received from the other governments for its delivery.


2 - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Joe Cressy (Carried)

That:

 

1.  City Council request the City of Toronto's COVID-19 Immunization Task Force, in coordination with counterparts at the Federal and Provincial Governments, to promote the safety and efficacy of vaccination against COVID-19 and to address vaccine hesitancy in multiple languages and with targeted outreach to vulnerable populations.


3 - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Stephen Holyday (Carried)

That City Council request the Deputy City Manager, Corporate Services and the Deputy City Manager, Community and Social Services to report to the Economic and Community Development Committee in 2021 on:

 

a. access to suicide prevention support services by Torontonians;

 

b. an opportunities to strengthen recognition, referral and coordination with support and response services by front line City services; and

 

c. the potential for a 9-88 service as adopted in the United States.


4 - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Brad Bradford (Carried)

That:

 

1.  City Council request the Provincial Government to reinstate the moratorium on residential and commercial evictions applicable at a minimum for the lockdown period initiated on November 23, 2020 and lasting until the lockdown is lifted.

Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Nov-25-2020 5:06 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - HL23.1 - Bradford - motion 4
Total members that voted Yes: 25 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that voted No: 0 Members that voted No are
Total members that were Absent: 0 Members that were absent are

5 - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Gord Perks (Carried)

That:

 

1.  City Council request the City Manager to report to the December 16 and 17, 2020 meeting of City Council on the Provincial response to Council's requests to the Provincial Government to implement enhanced income supports, a moratorium on evictions of residential tenants and paid sick days.


6 - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Mike Colle (Carried)

That:

 

1.  City Council request the Provincial Government to establish a coordinated and seamless COVID-19 pandemic response for the Greater Toronto Area to clearly deal with issues like lockdowns, colour coding designations for COVID-19 restrictions, and all Public Health Measures Table initiatives affecting the more than 6 million people in the Greater Toronto Area.

Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Nov-25-2020 5:08 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - HL23.1 - Colle - motion 6
Total members that voted Yes: 24 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that voted No: 1 Members that voted No are Michael Ford
Total members that were Absent: 0 Members that were absent are

7a - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Anthony Perruzza (Carried)

That:

 

1. City Council request the Provincial Government to clarify, under the COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open:

 

a. when indoor leisure skating is permitted; and

 

b. capacity limits specifically pertaining to indoor ice rinks.

 

2. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to:

 

a. open indoor leisure skating as soon as public health guidance permits and as is operationally feasible; and

 

b. expand the availability of indoor leisure skate, to include, wherever possible and where there are no conflicts with existing permits, all of the hours Monday to Friday 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, at all City operated indoor arenas, when the Provincial Orders, public health guidance and operational feasibility allow such activities to resume.


7b - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Anthony Perruzza (Carried)

That:

 

1.  City Council request the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario to ensure that the financial burden of the COVID-19 pandemic is shared equitably across Canadian society.

Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Nov-25-2020 5:09 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - HL23.1 - Perruzza - motion 7b
Total members that voted Yes: 22 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that voted No: 3 Members that voted No are Gary Crawford, Stephen Holyday, Denzil Minnan-Wong
Total members that were Absent: 0 Members that were absent are

Motion to Adopt Item as Amended (Carried)

Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Nov-25-2020 5:10 PM

Result: Carried Majority Required - HL23.1 - Adopt the Item as amended
Total members that voted Yes: 25 Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Shelley Carroll, Mike Colle, Gary Crawford, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam
Total members that voted No: 0 Members that voted No are
Total members that were Absent: 0 Members that were absent are

Point of Order by Councillor Stephen Holyday

Councillor Holyday, on a Point of Order, stated that he wished to know if Council was considering just Item HL23.1, or if the Item was being considered with another Item.

Ruling by Speaker Frances Nunziata
Speaker Nunziata accepted the Point of Order and ruled that Council was considering only Item HL23.1 at this time.

1a - Response to COVID-19: Persevering Through Resurgence - Additional Information

Background Information (Board)
(November 8, 2020) Supplementary Report and Attachments 1 and 2 from the Medical Officer of Health on Response to COVID-19: Persevering Through Resurgence - Additional Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-158217.pdf

HL23.1 - Response to COVID-19: Persevering Through Resurgence

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Amended
Wards:
All

Board Recommendations

The Board of Health recommends that:

 

1.  City Council call on the Federal and Provincial Governments to provide financial resources to support increased community outreach in high transmission neighbourhoods to support access to COVID-19 testing, the promotion of voluntary self-isolation facilities, and access to health and social services.

 

2.  City Council urge the Federal and Provincial Governments to immediately accelerate the distribution, expand the reach, and make completely accessible and transparent all financial supports directed toward people, including populations that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 such as women, racialized individuals, low-income individuals, and those living with disabilities.

 

3.  City Council urge the Federal and Provincial Governments and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization to consider the following when promoting and distributing future approved COVID-19 vaccines:

 

a.  prioritizing populations so that vaccination has the greatest impact on disease burden and transmission at the time of the availability of the vaccine;

 

b.  this prioritization should include patient care staff to ensure that the health system remains available to respond to the needs of the population and those at highest risk of more serious complications of COVID-19 once infected; and

 

c.  early distribution based on the geographic burden of disease, including disadvantaged populations.

 

4.  City Council call on the Provincial Government to urgently take all necessary steps, in coordination with the Government of Canada where appropriate, to ensure that supplies of the influenza vaccine are readily available, especially for vulnerable and priority populations.

  

5.  City Council call on the Provincial Government to provide adequate paid sick days and income supports for those who need to isolate but cannot afford to do and for workers and businesses affected by public health restrictions.

 

6.  City Council urge the Ontario Ministry of Health to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the impact of the pandemic on mental health and well-being to inform the need for additional supports or programs required to mitigate the associated harms.

 

7.  City Council urge the Ontario Ministry of Health to ensure that flu vaccine promotion and distribution is targeted across Toronto, with a particular focus on those at higher risk such as racialized and low-income populations.

Decision Advice and Other Information

The Board of Health:

 

1.  Called on the Federal and Provincial Governments to provide financial resources to support increased community outreach in high transmission neighbourhoods to support access to COVID-19 testing, the promotion of voluntary self-isolation facilities, and access to health and social services.

 

2.  Urged the Federal and Provincial Governments to immediately accelerate the distribution, expand the reach, and make completely accessible and transparent all financial supports directed toward people, including populations that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 such as women, racialized individuals, low-income individuals, and those living with disabilities.

 

3.  Urged the Federal and Provincial Governments and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization to consider the following when promoting and distributing future approved COVID-19 vaccines:

 

a.  prioritizing populations so that vaccination has the greatest impact on disease burden and transmission at the time of the availability of the vaccine;

 

b.  this prioritization should include patient care staff to ensure that the health system remains available to respond to the needs of the population and those at highest risk of more serious complications of COVID-19 once infected; and

 

c.  early distribution based on the geographic burden of disease, including disadvantaged populations.

 

4.  Called on the Provincial Government to immediately implement a fully transparent process of receiving public health advice, including making public the advice provided to the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Ontario Cabinet by the various advisory tables, including the Public Health Measures Table.

 

5.  Called on the Provincial Government to urgently take all necessary steps, in coordination with the Government of Canada where appropriate, to ensure that supplies of the influenza vaccine are readily available, especially for vulnerable and priority populations.


6.  Called on the Provincial Government to provide adequate paid sick days and income supports for those who need to isolate but cannot afford to do and for workers and businesses affected by public health restrictions.

 

7.  Urged the Ontario Ministry of Health to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the impact of the pandemic on mental health and well-being to inform the need for additional supports or programs required to mitigate the associated harms.

 

8.  Urged the Ontario Ministry of Health to ensure that flu vaccine promotion and distribution is targeted across Toronto, with a particular focus on those at higher risk such as racialized and low-income populations.

 

9.  Expressed its full support to the Medical Officer of Health for continuing to use her powers under the Health Protection and Promotion Act and to recommend any additional measures required over and above the Provincial Framework to control the resurgence of COVID-19.

 

10.  Requested the Medical Officer of Health to continue to widely promote the availability of flu vaccines, in partnership with City divisions and community partners.

 

11.  Requested the Medical Officer of Health to continue to prepare as quickly as possible, in partnership with other City divisions and provincial partners, Toronto Public Health's mass immunization plan for the distribution of potential future COVID-19 vaccines to promote wide-scale access and protection through immunization.

 

12.  Requested the Medical Officer of Health to support Toronto hospitals, with community partners, to explore and pilot rapid testing options, including point-of-care tests, especially for those populations who are at higher risk.

 

13.  Requested the Medical Officer of Health to include the use of equity indicators incorporated into routine reporting to monitor any disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 across the City of Toronto and guide action.

 

14.  Requested the Medical Officer of Health to report to an upcoming Board of Health meeting regarding the general population survey on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the residents of Toronto.

 

15.  Requested the Medical Officer of Health to report in December 2020 on staffing levels and resources required to achieve provincially-established targets of reaching 90 percent of newly- identified COVID-19 cases and reaching 90 percent of close contacts for these cases within 24 hours for rates of transmission in the City of Toronto that are above and below the current peak of more than 500 new cases per day.

 

The Associate Director, Communicable Disease Control, Toronto Public Health, the Acting Manager, Surveillance and Epidemiology, Toronto Public Health, and the Medical Officer of Health gave a presentation on Response to COVID-19: Persevering Through Resurgence.

Origin

(November 4, 2020) Report from the Medical Officer of Health

Summary

On November 3, 2020, the Ontario Government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, released the Keeping Ontario Safe and Open Framework. It ensures that public health measures are targeted, incremental and responsive to help limit the spread of COVID-19, while keeping schools and businesses open, maintaining health system capacity and protecting vulnerable people, including those in long-term care.

 

An updated report on COVID-19 will be provided prior to the November 16, 2020 Board of Health meeting. This report will provide an update on the Province's new framework, highlight Toronto's COVID-19 activity, including vaccination campaigns, and highlight key research findings about mental health and COVID-19.

Background Information

(November 4, 2020) Report from the Medical Officer of Health on Response to COVID-19: Persevering Through Resurgence
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-158124.pdf
(November 16, 2020) Presentation from the Associate Director, Communicable Disease Control, Toronto Public Health, the Acting Manager, Surveillance and Epidemiology, Toronto Public Health, and the Medical Officer of Health on Response to COVID-19: Persevering Through Resurgence
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-158458.pdf

Communications

(November 16, 2020) Submission from Josh Fullan, Maximum City (HL.New.HL23.1.1)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/hl/comm/communicationfile-123089.pdf
(November 15, 2020) Submission from Derek Moran (HL.New.HL23.1.2)
(November 15, 2020) Submission from Faisal Hassan, Member of Provincial Parliament, York South-Weston (HL.New.HL23.1.3)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/hl/comm/communicationfile-123126.pdf

Speakers

Julien Beillard
Tom Rakocevic, Member of Provincial Parliament, Humber River-Black Creek
Faisal Hassan, Member of Provincial Parliament, York South-Weston
Josh Fullan, Maximum City
Derek Moran

Motions

1a - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Joe Cressy (Carried)

That:

 

1.  The Board of Health express its full support to the Medical Officer of Health for continuing to use her powers under the Health Protection and Promotion Act and to recommend any additional measures required over and above the Provincial Framework to control the resurgence of COVID-19.

 

2.  The Board of Health request the Medical Officer of Health to report in December 2020 on staffing levels and resources required to achieve provincially-established targets of reaching 90 percent of newly-identified COVID-19 cases and reaching 90 percent of close contacts for these cases within 24 hours for rates of transmission in the City of Toronto that are above and below the current peak of more than 500 new cases per day.

 

3.  The Board of Health call on the Provincial Government to immediately implement a fully transparent process of receiving public health advice, including making public the advice provided to the Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Ontario Cabinet by the various advisory tables, including the Public Health Measures Table.

 

4.  City Council and the Board of Health call on the Provincial Government to urgently take all necessary steps, in coordination with the Government of Canada where appropriate, to ensure that supplies of the influenza vaccine are readily available, especially for vulnerable and priority populations.

 

5.  City Council and the Board of Health urge the Federal and Provincial Governments to immediately accelerate the distribution, expand the reach, and make completely accessible and transparent all financial supports directed toward people, including populations that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 such as women, racialized individuals, low-income individuals, and those living with disabilities.

 

6.  City Council and the Board of Health call on the Provincial Government to provide adequate paid sick days and income supports for those who need to isolate but cannot afford to do and for workers and businesses affected by public health restrictions. 

 

7.  City Council and the Board of Health call on the Federal and Provincial Governments to provide financial resources to support increased community outreach in high transmission neighbourhoods to support access to COVID-19 testing, the promotion of voluntary self-isolation facilities, and access to health and social services.


1b - Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Joe Cressy (Carried)

That the Board of Health adopt the following recommendations in the supplementary report (November 8, 2020) from the Medical Officer of Health [HL23.1a]:

 

1.  City Council and the Board of Health urge the Ontario Ministry of Health to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the impact of the pandemic on mental health and well-being to inform the need for additional supports or programs required to mitigate the associated harms.

 

2.  City Council and the Board of Health urge the Ontario Ministry of Health to ensure that flu vaccine promotion and distribution is targeted across Toronto, with a particular focus on those at higher risk such as racialized and low-income populations.

 

3.  The Board of Health request the Medical Officer of Health to continue to widely promote the availability of flu vaccines, in partnership with City divisions and community partners.

 

4.  City Council and the Board of Health urge the Federal and Provincial Governments and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization to consider the following when promoting and distributing future approved COVID-19 vaccines:

 

a.  prioritizing populations so that vaccination has the greatest impact on disease burden and transmission at the time of the availability of the vaccine;

 

b.  this prioritization should include patient care staff to ensure that the health system remains available to respond to the needs of the population and those at highest risk of more serious complications of COVID-19 once infected; and

 

c.  early distribution based on the geographic burden of disease, including disadvantaged populations.

 

5.  The Board of Health request the Medical Officer of Health to continue to prepare as quickly as possible, in partnership with other City divisions and provincial partners, Toronto Public Health's mass immunization plan for the distribution of potential future COVID-19 vaccines to promote wide-scale access and protection through immunization.

 

6.  The Board of Health request the Medical Officer of Health to support Toronto hospitals, with community partners, to explore and pilot rapid testing options, including point-of-care tests, especially for those populations who are at higher risk.

 

7.  The Board of Health request the Medical Officer of Health to include the use of equity indicators incorporated into routine reporting to monitor any disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 across the City of Toronto and guide action.

 

8.  The Board of Health request the Medical Officer of Health to report to an upcoming Board of Health meeting regarding the general population survey on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the residents of Toronto.

1a - Response to COVID-19: Persevering Through Resurgence - Additional Information

Origin
(November 8, 2020) Report from the Medical Officer of Health
Summary

This report provides an update on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic locally, the response work to date and related provincial initiatives including the new Provincial COVID-19 Response Framework. As well, it also introduces early details of the City of Toronto's COVID-19 Immunization Task Force.

 

Recent case data trends are summarized, including indicators of mental health and well-being. The effects of the pandemic on mental health are receiving increased focus in the literature and have been described in other jurisdictions. An introduction to current indicators of mental health and well-being, focused on Toronto's population, is provided in order to begin documenting and understanding the broader health impacts of the pandemic.

 

Given the importance of providing widespread access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, the City of Toronto has formed a COVID-19 Immunization Task Force. The Task Force is led by Toronto Public Health (TPH), Toronto Fire Services, Toronto Paramedic Services and the Emergency Operations Centre. It is charged with the responsibility of planning and executing the largest mass immunization campaign ever undertaken at one time in Toronto. The campaign will leverage expertise within TPH, informed by experience during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and a 2016 preparedness exercise, and with logistics support from across the City. While it is not yet clear when a safe and effective vaccine will be available, this Task Force will ensure that the City is ready to play its role in helping Torontonians get vaccinated.

 

It is anticipated that COVID-19 will circulate alongside other respiratory viruses during Toronto’s winter months. This report outlines TPH's on-going collaboration with the Ontario Government on the promotion and administration of the influenza vaccine which is a vital tool to reduce the health impacts of the flu and avoid putting additional pressures on the health system as it responds to the increase in COVID-19 cases.

Background Information
(November 8, 2020) Supplementary Report and Attachments 1 and 2 from the Medical Officer of Health on Response to COVID-19: Persevering Through Resurgence - Additional Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-158217.pdf
Source: Toronto City Clerk at www.toronto.ca/council