May 2018 Board Meeting - Minutes

L. Gregg presented 1st quarter financial results to the Board of Health. The cost-shared financial results were reviewed in order to present a more wholesome view of WECHU’s programs. Specifically, L. Gregg provided explanations for variances related to Association and Membership Fees, Program Supplies, Publications, Taxes, and Insurance IT Licensing Fees, and Property Taxes.

An overview of the 1st quarter financial results was also presented for the Healthy Babies
Healthy Children Program and the Nurse Practitioner Program. It was noted that in the 2018 budget submission to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services included a one time grant request to cover forecasted overage in salaries and benefits or the Pre/Postnatal Nurse Practitioner Program.

The budgeted amount for the Healthy Smiles Ontario program was discussed. An enhancement of $120,900 was received. There are items in the base funding that have not yet been operationalized.

1. 1st Quarter Financial Results
2. 1st Quarter Update – Strategic Plan

1. Provincial Election Priorities

   Whereas, tobacco use remains the number one preventable cause of death in Ontario; and

   Whereas, oral diseases, including dental caries and periodontal disease, are among the most prevalent and preventable chronic diseases; and

   Whereas, Ontario’s universal health care system does not include dental care for adults and nearly 1 in 3 Windsor-Essex County residents report having no form of dental insurance coverage; and

   Whereas, rates of opioid use and opioid-related harms continue to increase in Windsor-Essex County and across the province; and

   Whereas, cannabis legalization presents a number of public health concerns and a comprehensive education, harm reduction, and regulatory framework would help to reduce risks associated with youth; and

   Whereas, 1 in 5 Canadians struggle with mental health issues and illness every year and the
   difference in funding between mental and physical health has led to a dearth of services available to those struggling with mental health issues and illness; and

   Now therefore be it resolved that the Windsor-Essex County Board of Health supports the Association of Local Public Health Agency’s five areas of provincial election priorities; and

   FURTHER THAT, the Windsor-Essex County Board of Health supports a provincial focus on the Tobacco Endgame, tobacco usage rate of less than 5% in Ontario by 2035, and a shift from tobacco “control” to a future that is free from commercial tobacco; and

   FURTHER THAT, the Windsor-Essex County Board of Health encourages the Ontario government to fund a, comprehensive, multifaceted action plan for the Ontario Opioid Strategy, including education, harm reduction and treatment. The action plan should include targets, deliverables, timelines and an evaluation component and be supported by Public Health Units and key community stakeholders; and

   FURTHER THAT, the Windsor-Essex County Board of Health encourages the provincial government to adopt and fund a comprehensive public health approach to cannabis legalization, regulation, restriction of access, education and harm reduction in Ontario. This approach should align the regulatory restrictions on cannabis with those on tobacco, as provided in the Smoke-Free Ontario Act; and

   FURTHER THAT, the Windsor-Essex County Board of Health supports CAMH’s request for the provincial government to address ongoing financial support inequities and “Erase the Difference” between physical and mental health funding in the Ontario.

   It was moved
   That the resolution be supported.
   CARRIED

Dr. Ahmed updated the Board of Health on the City of Windsor council meeting that members of the Health Unit attended on May 7th. The Health Unit was on the agenda to present the Oral Health report. However, a City of Windsor councilor made a motion to have the Health Unit return to City of Windsor council after the provincial election takes place. The Health Unit is scheduled to bring forward the Oral Health report to Essex County council on June 6th.

It was asked what the provincial government is doing to mandate fluoride throughout the
province. N. Dupuis stated that the Board of Health submitted a letter to the province requesting that the province enact fluoride province-wide.

G. McNamara, board chair, recommended that a letter in support of fluoride be issued to the current provincial political candidates. A letter to alPHa (Association of Local Public Health Agencies) should also be considered.

Distribution of the KI pills in the Town of Amherstburg has started. Approximately 146 KI packages have been collected by Amherstburg residents. There are still a significant number of residents who have not yet picked up their KI package. Fire fighters in Amherstburg have now started going door-to-door to distribute KI packages. Once distribution in the primary zone has been completed distribution in the secondary zone will commence. Funding for the KI initiative has been secured until March 2019. G. McNamara thanked Dr. Ahmed and the now retired Deputy Fire Chief of Amherstburg Lee Tome for bringing this initiative forward.

T. Marentette mentioned that the budget for 2018 was received from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. T. Marentette notified all Board of Health members via email in advance of the board meeting. An increase of approximately $400k was received to the base funding for the cost-shared programs and $120k increase for Healthy Smiles Ontario. Five of ten one-time funding requests were approved. The one-time requests included the following:

• Public Disclosure System
• Potassium Iodide Distribution Program
• Needle Exchange Program
• Public Health Inspector Practicum Program
• Vector-Borne Diseases Program: Enhanced Mosquito Surveillance

Also, the Health Unit’s application for the Capital Project was pending approval. The funding for the Capital Project has now been received.

T. Marentette mentioned that the budget submission is now tied to the Annual Service Plans. T. Marentette stated that the Health Unit did a great job articulating its needs to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. The Health Unit remains underfunded yet continues to deliver great services.

T. Marentette mentioned that the alpha Annual General Meeting & Conference will be taking place in Toronto on July 10th-12th this year. An email went out to board members earlier. Any board member interested in attending should contact WECHU Administration. Currently, one board member has expressed interest and will be attending.