June 2026 Board of Health Meeting - Minutes

Meeting Date
June 2026 Board of Health Meeting
Meeting Document Type
Minutes

Board Members Present:

Renaldo Agostino (arrived at 3:30 pm), Dr. Mark Awuku (departed at 3:40 pm), Joe Bachetti, Frazier Fathers, Dr. Sardar Khan, Angelo Marignani (departed at 3:30 pm), Jennifer Nugent, Michael Prue, Rob Shepley, Ed Sleiman, Jennifer Yee

Board Member Regrets:

Dr. Jennifer Bondy, Hilda MacDonald, Robert Maich

Administration Present:

Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, Dr. Ken Blanchette, Kristy McBeth, Eric Nadalin, Emily Durance (recorder)

Guest

Cynthia Swift KPMG

Board Chair

Joe Bachetti

QUORUM: Confirmed

  1. Call to Order
    Board of Health Chair, J. Bachetti, called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m.
    1. Land Acknowledgement – Read by Board Chair, J. Bachetti
    2. Quorum – Confirmed at 3:03 p.m.
    3. Declaration of Conflict of Interest - none
  2. Approval of Agenda
    Motion:       That the agenda be approved as presented.
    Moved by: Dr. Sardar Khan
    Seconded by: Councillor Ed Sleiman
    CARRIED
  3. Approval of Minutes: May 14, 2026
    Motion:       That the minutes be approved.
    Moved by: Councillor Frazier Fathers
    Seconded by: Dr. Mark Awuku
    CARRIED
    Chair, Joe Bachetti, asked the Board for a motion to move Item 10.3 2025 Audited Financial Statements to the start of the meeting. The motion was moved by Councillor Rob Shepley and seconded by Councillor Ed Sleiman.
    10.3 2025 Audited Financial Statements (Cynthia Swift, KPMG)
    •    Cynthia Swift of KPMG presented the 2025 audited financial statements and advised that KPMG had completed its audit and was in a position to issue its audit opinion.
    •    Ms. Swift noted that the statements had been reviewed with the Finance and Audit Committee in early June.
    •    Key items highlighted in the WECHU financial statements included total financial assets of $7.4 million, financial liabilities of $8.6 million, debt of $1.3 million, prepaid expenses of approximately $600,000, and accumulated surplus of approximately $819,000.
    •    The Board was advised that, following the creation of the reserve fund in November, $1.3 million had been allocated to the reserve fund within accumulated surplus.
    •    As part of the audit process, KPMG reviewed Board and committee minutes, discussed required matters with management, and obtained a signed representation letter confirming that all information required to complete the audit had been provided.
    •    Ms. Swift clarified that budgets are not part of the audited financial statements; however, they are reviewed as part of KPMG’s assessment of entity-level controls.
    Motion:        That the 2025 Audited Financial Statements for WECHU and the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services (MCCSS) be approved as presented.
    Moved by: Councillor Frazier Fathers
    Seconded by: Councillor Angelo Marignani
    CARRIED
  4. Delegations
    1. Delegate: Sean Salonen
      Business Item: 10.1 Windsor-Essex County Oral Health Status
      Mr. Sean Salonen attended as a delegate regarding Business Item 10.1, Windsor-Essex County Oral Health Status.
      Mr. Salonen requested an independent public review of changes made to the WECHU oral health dashboard and requested that relevant 2024 research be considered in future updates.
      Board members asked questions regarding local fluoride concentration levels, fluorosis, and the distinction between association and causation in relation to available studies.
    2. Delegate: Philippa von Ziegenweidt
      Business Item: 10.1 Windsor-Essex County Oral Health Status
      Ms. Philippa von Ziegenweidt attended as a delegate regarding Business Item 10.1, Windsor-Essex County Oral Health Status.
      Ms. von Ziegenweidt referenced information related to fluoride exposure, pregnancy, small children, and materials available on the WECHU website.
      Ms. von Ziegenweidt requested that WECHU review its website wording and public messaging for pregnant individuals, parents, and caregivers of small children.
      Board members asked questions regarding fluoride, neurodevelopment, fluorosis, and the distinction between association and causation in available research.
    3. 10.1 Windsor-Essex County Oral Health Status (Dr. Mehdi Aloosh)
      (Information Report & Presentation)
      Dr. Aloosh provided an overview of populations most affected by tooth decay, including children, low-income families, newcomers, and individuals impacted by social determinants of health. Local oral health data indicated that Grade 2 children had the lowest caries-free rates.
      Dr. Aloosh shared that the role of public health in Oral Health includes surveillance and screening, health promotion and education, increasing access to care, and equity-informed public policy creation.
      Caries-free rates have rebounded across all listed grades since CWF was reintroduced in 2022.
      Aligning with national evidence, severe fluorosis remains rare, staying quite low even after fluoridation resumed.
      Mild fluorosis remains low and stable across both fluoridated and never-fluoridated communities, with no increase after fluoridation resumed in 2022.
      Oral health indicators are monitored on an ongoing basis and can be found on the WECHU.org webpage, available to all members of the public.
      Board members asked questions regarding differences in oral health data between fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities.
      Board members asked questions regarding post-pandemic dental caries trends, factors affecting oral health outcomes, and the role of fluoride in tooth development.
      Motion:       That the above information be received by the Board.
      Moved by: Councillor Ed Sleiman
      Seconded by: Jennifer Nugent
      CARRIED
  5. Medical Officer of Health Update (Dr. M. Aloosh)
    Dr. Aloosh shared information on the risks of Ebola in our region. He reported that the current risk of Ebola is low in Windsor-Essex. Locally, the WECHU is working with the Federal Government to implement the Quarantine Act as well as working to coordinate care and contact management if needed.
    Dr. Aloosh informed the board members of four resolutions which were passed during the alPHa Annual General Meeting at the beginning of June, including one on food insecurity in Southwestern Ontario. He thanked the board for their support.
    Board members asked questions regarding Ebola testing protocols and communication materials for health care providers. Dr. Aloosh advised that Ebola testing does not occur locally and that health care providers contact WECHU to complete a risk assessment, with related memos shared with health care providers and hospitals.
    Motion:       That the above information be received by the Board.
    Moved by: Councillor Renaldo Agostino
    Seconded by: Councillor Ed Sleiman 
    CARRIED
  6. Consent Agenda
    1. Information Reports (for information)
      1. Communications Reports:
        1. May 2026
      2. WECHU ACEs Policy Recommendation – Follow-Up
      3. 2025-2026 Influenza Vaccine Season Summary
      4. Online Vaccine Ordering System Implementation Update
      5. Predictive Modeling Program Update
        Motion:       That the above information be received by the Board for information.
        Moved by: Councillor Frazier Fathers
        Seconded by: Dr. Sardar Khan
        CARRIED
    2. Information Reports (for approval)
      1. 2026 Q1 Financial Report
        As of the end of the first quarter, the WECHU is operating well within budget. Some gapping dollars available to us at this point.
        Motion:       That the above information be received by the Board for approval.
        Moved by: Councillor Frazier Fathers
        Seconded by: Jennifer Nugent
        CARRIED
  7. Correspondence (Dr. Ken Blanchette)
    1. Algoma Public Health – Letter in Support of Alcohol Labelling Policy (Bill S-202)
    2. Lakelands Public Health – Letter of Support – HSO Fee Schedule
    3. City of Greater Sudbury Community Drug Strategy - Letter of Support & Position Statement
      Motion:     That the above correspondence be received by the Board for information.
      Moved by: Mayor Michael Prue
      Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley
      CARRIED
  8. Business Arising - none
  9.  Resolutions/Recommendation Reports (for approval)
    1. 2026/2027 Revised Budget for Programs funded by MCCSS (Dr. Ken Blanchette)
      Dr. Blanchette noted that the Board approved the MCCSS budget in March.
      The approved budget was prepared based on the assumption that there would be no increase in funding.
      A 2% funding increase was subsequently received a few weeks prior to the meeting.
      This increase allows WECHU to revise the budget and add a much-needed manager position to the Healthy Families program.
      Jennifer Nugent commended Dorothea Service and Dr. Aloosh for their detailed work, noting that a manager position had previously been reduced in the department in 2022 and that the need for additional management support has continued to grow with the department’s workload.
      PROPOSED MOTION
      Whereas, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit receives grants from the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to fund the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program; and
      And Whereas, at its meeting of June 16, 2026, the Finance and Audit Committee passed a motion recommending that the WECHU Board of Health approve the MCCSS operating budget for the period April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.
      Now therefore be it resolved that the Board of Health approve the revised MCCSS operating budget for the period April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.
      Motion:     That the above resolution be approved as presented.
      Moved by: Councillor Renaldo Agostino
      Seconded by: Dr. Sardar Khan
      CARRIED
  10. New Business
    1. Board Assessment Update (Dr. Ken Blanchette)
      The Ontario Public Health Standards (OPHS) require that boards of health:
      Complete a self-evaluation process of its governance practices and outcomes at least every other year,
      Review the results as a board, and
      Implement feasible recommendations for improvement (if any).
      The WECHU developed a self-evaluation survey tool for Board of Health members that helps to identify the strengths as well as opportunities to provide additional training and support.
      Upon completion of the survey, a report will be prepared using aggregated data to identify areas of strength and areas of opportunity. Individual responses are not shared or identifiable in the report.
    2. 2025 Audited Financial Statements (Cynthia Swift, KPMG)
      Cynthia Swift of KPMG presented the 2025 audited financial statements and advised that KPMG had completed its audit and was in a position to issue its audit opinion.
      Ms. Swift noted that the statements had been reviewed with the Finance and Audit Committee in early June.
      Key items highlighted in the WECHU financial statements included total financial assets of $7.4 million, financial liabilities of $8.6 million, debt of $1.3 million, prepaid expenses of approximately $600,000, and accumulated surplus of approximately $819,000.
      The Board was advised that, following the creation of the reserve fund in November, $1.3 million had been allocated to the reserve fund within accumulated surplus.
      As part of the audit process, KPMG reviewed Board and committee minutes, discussed required matters with management, and obtained a signed representation letter confirming that all information required to complete the audit had been provided.
      Ms. Swift clarified that budgets are not part of the audited financial statements; however, they are reviewed as part of KPMG’s assessment of entity-level controls.
      Motion:        That the 2025 Audited Financial Statements for WECHU and the Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services (MCCSS) be approved as presented.
      Moved by: Councillor Frazier Fathers
      Seconded by: Councillor Angelo Marignani
      CARRIED
    3. CEO Update
      Dr. Mehdi Aloosh and Dr. Ken Blanchette attended the alPHa conference with Dr. Mark Awuku in June 2026.
      Dr. Blanchette encouraged the rest of the board to attend the Annual General Meeting next year as every health unit had at least one member of the board in attendance.
    4. Board Chair Update
      Board remuneration payments will be mailed out in July for the first half of the year. 
  11. In-Camera Meeting (Closed session in accordance with Section 239 of the Municipal Act)
    Motion to Resolve into Closed Session
    That the Board of Health resolve to move into closed session pursuant to Sections 239(2)(k), 239(2)(h), 239(2)(d) and 239(2)(f) of the Municipal Act, 2001 to consider:
    Facility Renewal – proposed plan/position/instructions for negotiations with a third party and related contractual matters (s.239(2)(k));
    Capital funding – information supplied in confidence (s.239(2)(h));
    CUPE negotiations – labour relations / employee negotiations (s.239(2)(d)); and
    as applicable, advice subject to solicitor-client privilege related to the foregoing (s.239(2)(f)).
    1. In-Camera Agenda: as circulated
    2. Return to Open Session
    3. Motion to Rise and Report
      The Board moved in-camera at 4:18 p.m.
      The Board moved out of in-camera at 5:16 p.m.
  12. Next Meeting: At the Call of the Chair, or Thursday, September 24, 2026
  13. Adjournment
    Motion: That the meeting session be adjourned.   
    Moved by: Councillor Renaldo Agostino
    Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley
    CARRIED
    The open meeting session adjourned at 5:16 pm

RECORDING SECRETARY: E. Durance

SUBMITTED BY: K. Blanchette

APPROVED BY: Board of Health