February 16, 2017 Meeting Summary

Board of Health Meeting Summary – February 16, 2017

Menu Labelling Act

The provincial Menu Labelling Act came into effect on January 1, 2017 requiring the display of calories on menus for all types of food in service premises with 20 or more locations in Ontario. It applies to processed/prepared food or drink items that are intended for immediate consumption on the premises or elsewhere without further preparation by a customer before consumption (i.e. foods considered to be ‘ready to eat’). The Public Health Inspectors will be assessing compliance with the Act.

Opioid Mass Overdose Exercise

The Health Unit is helping to plan an Opioid Mass Overdose Emergency Response Exercise on Monday, February 27, 2017 in Kingston in collaboration with Public Health Ontario and Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Public Health. The day will bring together public health, police, fire, EMS, hospitals, health care providers and others to identify what will be needed to respond to a situation where several people have an opioid overdose in one place and/or in a short period of time. This scenario has already happened elsewhere in Canada and Ontario, and stretches available resources. The workshop will help to inform the development of the Leeds, Grenville, Lanark Opioid Plan. The Health Unit will also be presenting information on the opioid crisis at the Town of Gananoque Public Information Night on March 14, 2017.

Program Updates

The Power Up Youth Summit was held in Gananoque from February 3–5, 2017 thanks to a Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport Ontario 150 Partnership Program Grant. It focused on Rural Youth Civic Engagement and was attended by 52 youth from 17 different organizations across Leeds, Grenville and Lanark Counties. Youth were inspired to connect with their communities, participated in interactive workshops that provided the skills and knowledge to take back home and networked with peers. The Summit also provides funding for the groups to implement those action plans!

As of January 1, 2017, all tobacco products that contain or impart an aroma of Menthol have been prohibited by provincial regulations under the Smoke Free Ontario Act. All tobacco retailers will be assessed by the end of February. Most are very compliant, although some warnings have been issued.

LHIN Update

The Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Sub-Region of the SELHIN continues to plan how to improve health services in the sub-region. The second Forum for Health, Community Care and Social Service Governors and Leaders will be held on Friday, May 26, 2017. The title of the forum is “Opportunities to Strengthen Patient-centred Care in Lanark, Leeds and Grenville.” The Health Unit will participate in the forum.