Agenda
Board of Health
- Meeting No.:
- 4
- Contact:
- Candy Davidovits, Committee Administrator
- Meeting Date:
- Monday, May 14, 2007
- Phone:
- 416-392-8032
- Start Time:
- 1:00 PM
- E-mail:
- boh@toronto.ca
- Location:
- Committee Room 1, City Hall
- Chair:
- Councillor John Filion
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Board of Health |
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Councillor John Filion (Chair) Councillor Janet Davis (Vice-Chair) Councillor Raymond Cho Councillor Paula Fletcher Councillor Chin Lee |
Councillor Gord Perks Trustee Soo Wong Cathy Crowe Nathan Gilbert
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Brian Hyndman Fiona Nelson Rhonda Roffey Valerie Sterling |
Members of the Board and Staff: Please keep this agenda and the accompanying material until the City Council meeting dealing with these matters has ended. The City Clerk’s Office will not provide additional copies.
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The City collects this information to enable it to make informed decisions on the relevant issues(s). Individuals who submit letters and other information should be aware that any personal information in their communication will become part of the public record. The City will make it available to the public, unless the individual expressly requests the City to remove the personal information.
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Declarations of Interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
Confirmation of Minutes - April 16, 2007
Speakers/Presentations – A complete list will be distributed at the meeting.
Schedule of Timed Items
1:00 p.m. - Item HL4.1
2:30 p.m. - Item HL4.3
2:45 p.m. - Item HL4.4
3:00 p.m. - Item HL4.5
Communications/Reports
HL4.1 - Pandemic Influenza Update
- Consideration Type:
- Presentation
- Time:
- 1:00 PM
Summary
Presentation by Allison J. Stuart, Director, Emergency Management Unit, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
HL4.2 - Pilot Testing the New Air Quality Health Index in Toronto
- Consideration Type:
- ACTION
Origin
Recommendations
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that:
1. The 2007 Toronto Public Health Operating Budget be increased by $160,000 gross and $0 net to reflect funding from Health Canada for the launch of the Air Quality Health Index Toronto Pilot Program.
2. The Board of Health forward this report to the Budget Committee for consideration.
3. The Board of Health forward this report to the Toronto Environment Office for information.
Summary
Implementation of the AQHI will also benefit Toronto by stimulating public support for bold action by city government and its agencies, boards and commissions. The AQHI supports the approach and initiatives proposed in the Mayor’s "A Change is in the Air" report and the City’s resulting Climate Change and Clean Air Action Plan.
Financial Impact
Source of Funds | Gross | Net |
One-time funding from Health Canada for AQHI Toronto Pilot Program – 2007 | $160,000 | $0 |
One-time funding from Health Canada for Completion of Evaluation of the AQHI – 2008 | $40,000 | $0 |
Total Funding | $200,000 | $0 |
Additional position |
| 1 |
The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-3452.pdf
HL4.3 - Reducing Health Impacts of Perchloroethylene from Dry Cleaning in Toronto
- Consideration Type:
- ACTION
- Time:
- 2:30 PM
Origin
Recommendations
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that:
1. The Board of Health request the federal Minister of Health to recognize perchloroethylene as a probable carcinogen consistent with leading agencies such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
2. The Board of Health request the federal Minister of the Environment to eliminate the use of perc in dry cleaning in Canada by the earliest date possible and to encourage professional fabric cleaners to replace it with water-based cleaning and other inorganic solvent-based technologies.
3. The Medical Officer of Health, in collaboration with other City divisions, consult with the dry cleaning industry and other community stakeholders to explore possible options to reduce the use of perc in the short term.
4. The Medical Officer of Health report to the Board of Health in February 2008 on the feasibility of municipal regulation to phase out the use of perchloroethylene in dry cleaning facilities which are co-located with residential or other sensitive uses.
Summary
There are approximately 360 perc-based dry cleaning facilities operating in the City of Toronto. Dry cleaners may locate inside a building that has residential units or provides space for sensitive uses such as child care facilities. Dry cleaning facilities that operate dry cleaning machines in such settings are referred to as being “co-located”. People living in buildings where perc-based dry cleaning occurs are at increased risk for health effects from exposure to perc.
Although dry cleaning technology improvements have reduced releases of perc to the air, studies show that people can still be exposed to perc at unacceptable levels. In the United States, steps have been taken to stop the use of perc in dry cleaning and replace it with other solvents and technologies that can be successfully used by professionals to clean fabrics. Water-based cleaning technologies and liquid carbon dioxide are two options that pose the least risk to human health and the environment. This report outlines measures to reduce exposure to perc used in dry cleaning, particularly in co-located settings.
Financial Impact
There are no financial impacts resulting from this report.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-3453.pdf
Attachment - Dry-cleaning Technical Report from Dr. McKeown
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-23564.pdf
Communications
(May 11, 2007) Letter from Stephen P. Risotto, Executive Director, Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance (HL.Main.HL4.3.2)
(May 14, 2007) Letter from Nora Nealis, Executive Director, National Cleaners Association (HL.Main.HL4.3.3)
(May 14, 2007) Letter from Nancy Bradshaw, Co-Chair, Toronto Cancer Prevention Coalition (HL.Main.HL4.3.4)
(May 14, 2007) Submission from Sidney Chelsky, Careful Consulting Services (HL.Main.HL4.3.5)
(May 14, 2007) Submission from Brian Chelsky, President, Careful Hand Laundry & Dry Cleaners (HL.Main.HL4.3.6)
(May 14, 2007) E-mail from Eric Lehner, CEO, Winning Brands Corporation (HL.Main.HL4.3.7)
HL4.4 - 2007/2008 Student Nutrition Program Service Subsidies
- Consideration Type:
- ACTION
- Time:
- 2:45 PM
- Wards:
- All
Origin
Recommendations
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that:
1. The Board of Health recommend that City Council enter into agreements totalling $2,799,340 with the Toronto Foundation for Student Success ($2,502,715.73) and the Angel Foundation for Learning ($296,624.27) to administer the Community Partnership and Investment Program funding to eligible student nutrition programs across the City of Toronto.
2. The Board of Health recommend that City Council grant authority to the Medical Officer of Health to take the necessary action to give effect to Recommendation 1, including the execution of agreements with the Toronto Foundation for Student Success and the Angel Foundation for Learning on behalf of the City.
3. The Board of Health forward this report for information to the Minister of Children and Youth Services, the Minister of Health Promotion, the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board.
Summary
The TPSN Steering Committee requests that the Board of Health recommend the City of Toronto execute agreements with the Angel Foundation for Learning and the Toronto Foundation for Student Success, for a combined total of $2,799,340. An amount of $100,000 will be held for appeals.
Financial Impact
The recommendations in this report will have no financial impact beyond what has already been approved in the 2007 City budget.
The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-3454.pdf
HL4.5 - Fluoridation of Toronto Tap Water
- Consideration Type:
- Information
- Time:
- 3:00 PM
Origin
Summary
Fluoridation of drinking water provides important oral health benefits. This position is supported by evidence compiled by the Centres for Disease Control in the United States, who, based on that evidence have declared that water fluoridation is one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century (1). In addition, eighty experts from thirty countries, together with the World Health Organization, FDI World Dental Federation and the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) reaffirmed the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and safety of the daily use of optimal fluoride through the Global Consultation on Oral Health through Fluoride held in 2006 (2).
Credible scientific evidence supports the view that at 0.6 p.p.m., the amount level in Toronto water, the benefits of fluoridation outweigh any risks.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-3455.pdf
Communications
HL4.6 - Provincial Funding for inSPOT Toronto
- Consideration Type:
- Information
Origin
Recommendations
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that:
1. The Toronto Public Health 2007 Operating Budget be increased by $59,220 gross, $0 net to reflect provincial funding received to support the inSPOT service.
2. This report be forwarded to the Budget Committee for consideration.
Summary
In February 2007, Toronto Public Health (TPH) was asked to submit a proposal to MOHLTC, AIDS Bureau for funds to launch and advertise inSPOT Toronto as part of the AIDS Bureau’s syphilis reduction efforts. TPH received $59,220 in funding from the MOHLTC for the establishment, launch and online promotion of this new service to facilitate online partner notification of sexually transmitted infections.
Financial Impact
This report recommends an increase of $59,220 gross expenditures and $59,220 revenues to the 2007 Toronto Public Health Operating Budget. There is no net cost to the City for this initiative.
The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this report and concurs with the financial impact statement.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-3456.pdf
HL4.7 - Board of Health Representation and Attendance at 2007 Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) Meetings
- Consideration Type:
- ACTION
Origin
Recommendations
The Medical Officer of Health recommends that:
1. The Board of Health appoint a Board of Health member to represent Toronto on the board of the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa).
2. The Board of Health approve the participation of a Board of Health representative or alternate at all alPHa Board meetings, alPHa Board of Health Section meetings and alPHa conferences in 2007 and cover expenses associated with this participation.
3. The Board of Health encourage the participation of its members at alpha Board of Health Section meetings and the Toronto-based conferences in 2007 (see Attachment 1 for the first conference) and pay expenses associated with this participation.
Summary
Financial Impact
Funds to pay expenses for Board of Health members to attend alPHa conferences and meetings are within the 2007 Recommended Public Health Operating Budget. The Board of Health approves use of these funds on a meeting-by-meeting basis. However, this is an overall request to facilitate attendance at alPHa events.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-3457.pdf
Attachment 1 - 2007 alPHa Annual Conference
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-3458.pdf
Communications
HL4.8 - Results of Follow-up of Previous Audit Recommendations
- Consideration Type:
- Information
Origin
Summary
The result of our review shows that Toronto Public Health staff has implemented most of the recommendations made in previous audit reports issued by the Auditor General’s Office. Audit recommendations fully implemented are listed in Attachment 1. Audit recommendations not fully implemented, as well as management’s comments and action plan, are included in Attachment 2. One audit recommendation that is no longer applicable is listed in Attachment 3.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-3459.pdf
HL4.9 - Update on City Council Approved Toronto Public Health 2007 Operating Budget
- Consideration Type:
- Information
Origin
Summary
City Council approved a TPH 2007 Operating Budget of $210,506.6 thousand gross and $50,397.4 thousand net, including a base budget of $207,399.3 thousand gross and $50,085.0 thousand net, and New and Enhanced Services of $3,107.3 thousand gross and $312.4 thousand net. The New and Enhanced Services include the three BOH recommended enhancements that are cost shared at 75 percent with the Province, one new initiative that is fully funded by the City and salaries and benefits related to capital projects that are approved in the 2007 Capital Budget.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-3460.pdf
HL4.10 - Update on City Council Approved Toronto Public Health 2007-2011 Capital Budget and Plan
- Consideration Type:
- Information
Origin
Summary
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-3461.pdf
HL4.11 - Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Study of Proposed East Toronto Transmission Line
- Consideration Type:
- ACTION
Origin
Recommendations
That the Board of Health:
1. Request the Minister of Energy and Minister of Environment to direct the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) to fund a health impact assessment study regarding the proposed transmission lines for Toronto, and that this study be overseen by the Toronto Medical Officer of Health, this assessment would consider alternative routings and approaches.
2. Request OPA to provide funding to Toronto Public Health so that it has the resources to provide the necessary oversight.
Summary
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-3462.pdf
HL4.12 - North York Local Health Committee Minutes
- Consideration Type:
- Information
Summary
Minutes of the North Region Local Health Committee meetings held on October 17, 2006, November 14, 2006, and January 23, 2007.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-3463.pdf
(November 14, 2006) North York Local Health Committee Minutes
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-3464.pdf
(January 23, 2007) North York Local Health Committee Minutes
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-3465.pdf
HL4.13 - Dental Care for Low- and No-Income Adults
- Consideration Type:
- ACTION
Origin
Recommendations
That the Board of Health:
1. Recommend that the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care provide funding to support the Toronto Oral Health Coalition’s Proposal for dental care to be included in health care services provided in Community Health Centres or to include dental services in OHIP.