Item - 2022.HL36.4

The Board of Health:

1.  Received the report (March 28, 2022) from the Medical Officer of Health for information.

The mandate of Toronto Public Health (TPH) and the authorities of the Medical Officer of Health are primarily set out in the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA). The Ontario Public Health Standards, published by the Minister of Health under the HPPA, further describe the mandatory health programs and services provided by boards of health.

Natural gas is Ontario's most common heating source and accounts for 57 per cent of Toronto's Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. In December 2022, the Board of Health requested the Medical Officer of Health to review the potential to declare a public health emergency as it relates to the phasing out of natural gas.

This report describes the role of public health with respect to climate change and the authorities of the Medical Officer of Health to declare a public health emergency as it relates to phasing out of natural gas. While the Medical Officer of Health does not have the authority to advance the phasing out of natural gas through a public health emergency declaration, TPH will continue to provide public health advice and guidance in support of City-wide efforts to address climate change, including TransformTO, and consider public health approaches to addressing climate change as it develops its key strategic priorities following the response to COVID-19.

This report was developed in consultation with Legal Services.