Item - 2025.HL23.1

The Board of Health:

1. Requested the Medical Officer of Health to report back to the Board with an update on Toronto Public Health’s Indigenous Health Strategy progress by Q1 2026.

2. Requested the Acting Medical Officer of Health to share this report with the City of Toronto Indigenous Affairs Office and Social Development, Finance and Administration Division to demonstrate how the work of the Indigenous Wellness Committee aligns with the City of Toronto Reconciliation Action Plan’s Strategic Action 13.

The Senior Policy and Strategic Issues Advisor, Indigenous Health and the Acting Medical Officer of Health gave a presentation on Indigenous Wellness Committee: Update.

In April 2023, the Medical Officer of Health provided an update to the Board of Health on developing a mental health and addictions strategy for the City of Toronto. At that time, the Board of Health recommended that the Medical Officer of Health co-develop a parallel strategy with Indigenous organizations and communities to ensure that approaches and actions support the unique needs of urban Indigenous people living in Toronto.

In response to this recommendation, Toronto Public Health staff co-hosted two Indigenous Wellness Roundtables with the Toronto Aboriginal Social Supports Council in October 2023, to determine next steps with Indigenous organizations. The main recommendation was to establish an Indigenous Wellness Committee, co-led by Toronto Public Health and Indigenous organizations.

This report provides a progress update on the work of the Indigenous Wellness Committee and includes recommendations to the Board of Health for continued communication about Toronto Public Health’s Indigenous Health Strategy.