May 18, 2017 Meeting Summary

Board of Health Meeting Summary – May 18, 2017

Apportionment of the Municipal Levy

The Health Protection and Promotion Act stipulates that municipalities must decide how to apportion the municipal component of the expenses of the Board of Health among obligated municipalities. The Board of Health passed a motion unanimously at the May 18, 2017 meeting that their preference is to use the Statistics Canada census population numbers rather than the MPAC population numbers to apportion the levy among obligated municipalities starting in 2018. According to MPAC “The most accurate municipal population numbers are produced by Statistics Canada based on the most recent census.” Each municipality will be asked to consider this recommendation and let the Board of Health know whether or not they support the recommendation. All of the obligated municipalities will have to agree with this change before it can be implemented according to the Health Protection and Promotion Act, and Ontario Regulation 489/97. The default under the legislation is the use of MPAC population data to apportion the municipal levy among obligated municipalities.

Health Impact Assessment

The Health Unit has developed a formal process to conduct Health Impact Assessments. A Health Impact Assessment provides a systematic and evidence based method for drawing conclusions on the health impacts of initiatives that affect the natural and built environments. Municipalities are encouraged to contact the Health Unit for a health impact assessment of:

• Official plans;
• Development or land use alterations;
• Projects, policies, programs, bylaws, involving the natural or built environment that could influence heath;
• Incidents, such as fires, spills, or floods, that may have long-term health impacts beyond the initial incident response

Supporting Children with Autism with the Preschool Speech and Language Program

At the present time the Autism Branch of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services identifies specific organizations to provide assessment and behavioural intervention services to children with autism. The Board of Health agreed to write a letter to the Ontario Preschool Speech and Language (PSL) Program Collaborative in support of their advocacy work to recognize and fund PSL’s role in providing services to preschool children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or suspected ASD and their families.

Organization Update

The Public Health Branch of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has released the Public Health Accountability Framework for discussion. The Framework includes four domains with requirements that each Health unit will be required to meet:

• Delivery of Programs and Services;
• Fiduciary Requirements;
• Good Governance and Management Practices; and
• Public Health Practice.

Program Update

The Every Kid in our Communities (EKIOC) Coalition (in partnership with the Health Unit) held their third annual “Recognition of Asset Builders” Celebration Sunday, April 30 at the Healthy Kids Day, at the YMCA of Brockville and Area. This event was an opportunity to celebrate and honour organizations and people, who make a difference in the lives of children and youth – in other words they build assets! Two of our employees, Rebecca Shams (Youth Tobacco Program) and Kim Marshall (Public Health Nurse) were recognized for being role models and leaders in the youth engagement process, and for being advocates for our youth.

Youth ages 10–24 across Eastern Ontario were busy this spring making short videos about something important to them. Eight original local films have been nominated as finalists for the 2017 MyView Youth Film Festival. The Awards Ceremony is on Thursday, June 8 at 7pm at the Brockville Arts Centre. The Health Unit provides support to the youth in our area to participate in the festival.

The recent floods may have put personal wells at risk of contamination so the Health Unit is strongly advising homeowners to get their well water tested.