Minutes - January 21, 2021 - Board of Health Meeting

Members Present: 

Ms. Maureen Cassidy (Chair)
Ms. Aina DeViet (Vice-Chair)
Ms. Arielle Kayabaga
Mr. Matt Reid
Mr. John Brennan
Mr. Bob Parker
Ms. Tino Kasi
Mr. Mike Steele
Mr. Aaron O’Donnell

Regrets:

Ms. Kelly Elliott

Others Present:

Dr. Christopher Mackie, Medical Officer of Health (Secretary-Treasurer)
Ms. Stephanie Egelton, Executive Assistant to the Board of Health and Communications Coordinator (Recorder)
Dr. Alexander Summers, Associate Medical Officer of Health
Ms. Emily Williams, Director, Healthy Organization
Mr. Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager
Ms. Elizabeth Milne, Supervisor, Communications
Ms. Heather Lokko, Director, Healthy Start/Chief Nursing Officer
Mr. Alex Tyml, Online Communications Coordinator
Mr. Stephen Turner, Director, Environmental Health and Infectious Disease
Dr. Michael Clarke, Interim CEO
Ms. Maureen MacCormick, Director, Healthy Living
Mr. Joe Antone, Manager, Health Equity and Indigenous Reconciliation

Dr. Christopher Mackie called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.

Ms. Arielle Kayabaga joined the meeting at 7:12 p.m.

Dr. Mackie welcomed everyone to the inaugural meeting of the Board of Health and opened the meeting by acknowledging the Indigenous Peoples of this land and the First Nations within Middlesex and London.

Mr. Joe Antone, Manager, Health Equity and Indigenous Reconciliation further provided a teaching to connect with indigenous persons and lands.

Meeting Procedures

Election of 2021 Board of Health Executive and Other Procedures (Report No. 01-21)

Dr. Mackie opened the floor to nominations for the position of Chair of the Board of Health for 2021.

It was moved by Ms. Aina DeViet, seconded by Mr. Bob Parker, that Ms. Maureen Cassidy be nominated for Chair of the Board of Health for 2021.
Carried

Ms. Cassidy accepted the nomination.

Dr. Mackie invited nominations three more times. Hearing none, it was moved by Ms. Aina DeViet, seconded by Mr. Bob Parker, that:
1) Nominations for the position of Chair be closed; and
2) Ms. Maureen Cassidy be acclaimed as Chair of the Board of Health for 2021.
Carried

Ms. Cassidy took over as Chair.

Chair Cassidy opened the floor to nominations for the position of Vice-Chair of the Board of Health for 2021.

It was moved by Mr. John Brennan, seconded by Mr. Parker, that Ms. Aina DeViet be nominated for Vice-Chair of the Board of Health for 2021.
Carried
Ms. DeViet accepted the nomination.

Chair Cassidy invited nominations three more times. Hearing none, it was moved by Mr. Brennan, seconded by Mr. Parker, that
1) Nominations for the position of Vice-Chair be closed; and
2) Ms. DeViet be acclaimed as Vice-Chair of the Board of Health for 2021.
Carried

Establishment of 2021 Standing Committees

Chair Cassidy invited interest for members of the Finance & Facilities Committee for 2021 and reviewed the Committee’s terms of reference.

It was remarked that the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board of Health sit on the Finance & Facilities Committee automatically.

Mr. Matt Reid, Ms. Tino Kasi and Mr. Aaron O’Donnell declared interest in being on the committee.

Chair Cassidy invited further interested members to be on the committee. Hearing none, it was moved by Mr. Aaron O’Donnell, seconded by Ms. DeViet, that Mr. Matt Reid, Ms. Tino Kasi and Mr. Aaron O’Donnell be appointed to the Finance & Facilities Committee for 2021.
Carried
Thus, the membership of Finance & Facilities Committee for 2021 consists as follows:
1) Ms. Maureen Cassidy (Chair and City Representative)
2) Ms. Aina DeViet (Vice-Chair and County Representative)
3) Ms. Tino Kasi (Provincial Representative)
4) Mr. Aaron O’Donnell (Provincial Representative)
5) Mr. Matt Reid (City of London Citizen Appointee)

Chair Cassidy invited interest for members of the Governance Committee for 2021 and reviewed the Committee’s terms of reference.

It was remarked that the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board of Health sit on the Governance Committee automatically.

Mr. Mike Steele, Mr. Bob Parker and Ms. Arielle Kayabaga declared interest in being on the committee.

Chair Cassidy invited nominations three more times. Hearing none, it was moved by Mr. Brennan, seconded by Mr. Reid, that Mr. Mike Steele, Mr. Bob Parker and Ms. Arielle Kayabaga be appointed to the Governance Committee for 2021.
Carried
Thus, the membership of the Governance Committee for 2021 consists as follows:
1) Ms. Maureen Cassidy (Chair and City Representative)
2) Ms. Aina DeViet (Vice-Chair and County Representative)
3) Mr. Mike Steele (Provincial Representative)
4) Mr. Bob Parker (Provincial Representative)
5) Ms. Arielle Kayabaga (City Representative)

Chair Cassidy outlined the membership composition of the CEO Selection Committee, an ad-hoc committee of the Board of Health.

It was remarked that the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board of Health sit on the CEO Selection Committee automatically.

Chair Cassidy indicated that business of this committee would depend on proceedings of the health unit’s strategic planning process. Ms. Cassidy inquired from Dr. Mackie if the Committee could pause during the strategic planning process.

Dr. Mackie indicated that populating or pausing this committee for 2021 would be at the discretion of the Board of Health.

Mr. Parker inquired if the ad-hoc committee (CEO Selection) composition would expire December 31, 2020 or if the committee would expire when work was deemed complete.

Dr. Mackie noted that while the ad-hoc committees last for the term, the Board’s practice is to re-appoint members, but could continue based on need as an acceptable practice. However, per the Board’s procedural by-laws, this is not required. Dr. Mackie further noted that the Board could choose not the follow this process but noted that the Board should clarify the language of the by-laws later this year.

Chair Cassidy noted that the terms of reference state a maximum number of members as opposed to a minimum, so the Board could keep status quo or disband the committee temporarily.

It was moved by Mr. Parker, seconded by Ms. Tino Kasi, that the Board of Health disband the ad-hoc CEO Selection Committee.
Carried

Chair Cassidy opened the floor to nominations for the position of Secretary-Treasurer of the Board of Health for 2021.

It was moved by Mr. Parker, seconded by Mr. Mike Steele, that Dr. Christopher Mackie be nominated for Secretary-Treasurer of the Board of Health for 2021.
Carried
Hearing no further discussion or nominations, it was moved by Mr. Parker, seconded by Mr. Steele, that Dr. Christopher Mackie be elected Secretary-Treasurer by acclaimed vote.

Carried

Disclosure of Conflict of Interest

Chair Cassidy inquired if there were any disclosures of conflicts of interest. None were declared.

Approval of Agenda

It was moved by Ms. Arielle Kayabaga, seconded by Mr. Parker, that the AGENDA for the January 21, 2021 Board of Health meeting be approved.
Carried

Minutes

It was moved by Mr. Brennan, seconded by Ms. Kayabaga, that the MINUTES of the December 10, 2020 Board of Health meeting be approved.
Carried

It was moved by Mr. Brennan, seconded by Ms. Kayabaga, that the MINUTES of the October 15, 2020 Governance Committee meeting be received.
Carried

It was moved by Mr. Brennan, seconded by Ms. Kayabaga, that the MINUTES of the November 24, 2020 CEO Selection Committee meeting be received.
Carried

It was moved by Mr. Brennan, seconded by Ms. Kayabaga, that the MINUTES of the December 21, 2020 Special Governance Committee meeting be received.
Carried

Reports and Agenda Items

Strategic Planning Update (Report No. 02-21)

Dr. Mackie, Ms. Emily Williams, Director, Healthy Organization and Dr. Michael Clarke, Interim CEO provided a presentation on the strategic planning process for the health unit. It was noted that provisional strategic planning sessions are planned for the following week, and no decisions would be made at that meeting.

It was moved by Mr. Parker, seconded by Mr. Reid, that the Board of Health:
1) Receive Report No. 02-21 re “Strategic Planning Update” for information; and
2) Direct staff to work with the Governance Committee to develop and finalize a Draft Provisional Strategic Plan, inclusive of the draft strategic directions outlined herein, for consideration of the Board of Health.
Carried

Commitment to Reconciliation Statement (Report No. 03-21)

Ms. Heather Lokko, Director, Healthy Start and Chief Nursing Officer presented the report on the Commitment to Reconciliation Statement.

It was noted that the Board of Health has supported working towards reconciliation with the Indigenous community. As the Board continues to support, it is important to shift from land acknowledgement and move to endorsing a reconciliation statement to effectively communicate the health unit’s obligation to reconciliation.

It was moved by Ms. Kayabaga, seconded by Mr. Steele, that the Board of Health:
1) Receive Report No. 03-21 re: “MLHU Commitment to Reconciliation Statement” for information;
2) Endorse the proposed MLHU reconciliation statement; and
3) Direct staff to ensure MLHU’s priorities, decisions, and actions effectively and sustainably reflect its reconciliation statement.
Carried

Anti-Black Racism Commitment and Action Update (Report No. 04-21)

Ms. Heather Lokko, Director, Healthy Start and Chief Nursing Officer presented the report on the Anti-Black Racism Commitment and Action Update.

It was noted that the Board of Health declared racism as a public health issue in June 2020, and that is it critical to continue and acknowledge this work. Further, it is also noted that actively addressing racism is a requirement of a health unit and is one of the five priorities in the recover planning process. The consultant’s work on this matter will be brought to the Board in April 2021. It is also noted that the health unit wants to ensure that both city and county municipal partners are supported with this work.

It was moved by Ms. Tino Kasi, seconded by Ms. Kayabaga, that the Board of Health:
1) Receive Report No. 04-21 re: “MLHU’s Anti-Black Racism Commitment and Action: An Update” for information;
2) Direct staff to continue to prioritize efforts to identify and implement public health and organizational actions to address and eliminate racism.
Carried

Film Content Information Act, 2020 (Report No. 05-21)

Ms. Maureen MacCormick, Director, Healthy Living presented the report on the Film Content Information Act, 2020.

It was noted that the government has passed the Film Content Information Act, 2020, which allows for film producers to decide for themselves how to rate movies. It is now possible that youth will be exposed to more negative health items such as smoking and violence in movies. It is important that this legislation has been passed, so it is important for the health unit to continue educating the community on items that could be detrimental to the community’s health. It is further noted that the Middlesex-London Health Unit provided a letter to the government at the end of 2020, with concerns of this bill.

It was moved by Mr. Brennan, seconded by Ms. DeViet, that the Board of Health receive Report No. 05-21 re: “Film Content Information Act, 2020” for information.

Carried

Grant Funding for Cannabis Programming (Report No. 06-21)

Ms. Maureen MacCormick, Director, Healthy Living presented the report on Grant Funding for Cannabis Programming.

The health unit received funding for cannabis programming through the City of London of over $500,000 over the next two years to focus on enforcement (retail) and education of cannabis.

It was moved by Mr. Parker, seconded by Mr. O’Donnell, that the Board of Health:
1) Receive Report No. 06-21 re: “Grant Funding to Support Cannabis Programming” for information; and
2) Approve receipt of the 2020 and 2021 funding allocation from the City of London’s share of the Ontario Cannabis Legalization Implementation Fund.

Carried

Verbal COVID-19 Disease Spread and Vaccine Campaign Update

Dr. Alexander Summers and Dr. Mackie presented the verbal COVID-19 report and vaccine campaign update.

Discussion about this verbal report included:
• It had been a year since the first COVID-19 case in the region was discovered
• In the past 30 days, the region has had peak days of case counts and starting to see early declines
• Multiple outbreaks in long term care homes
• Positive cases are being notified in 24 hours, with contact tracing following
• The UK variant being found in the region
• Noting that current data shows that schools opening may be a benefit to the COVID-19 response
• School opening decision will be decided before February 10
• Noting that the majority of the Senior Leadership Team are taking on operations and logistics roles in the COVID-19 vaccination program
• Regional approach for vaccination to ensure consistency (Huron-Perth Public Health, Southwestern Public Health and London Health Sciences Centre)
• Over 10,000 doses administered to long term care and retirement homes at the Agriplex, and starting to see COVID immunity (Oneida Long Term Care Home)
• All long term care homes will be vaccinated by January 24
• The health unit is looking at an online booking system for vaccination clinics
• No additional vaccines are being approved by Health Canada at this time
• The Pfizer vaccine can be forward deployed, and allows the vaccine to be transported to different locations

It was moved by Ms. DeViet, seconded by Mr. Parker, that the Board of Health receive the verbal report on COVID-19 disease spread and vaccine campaign update for information.

Carried

Medical Officer of Health Activity Report for January 2021 (Report No. 07-21)

Dr. Mackie presented Medical Officer of Health Activity Report for January 2021.

It was moved by Mr. Reid, seconded by Mr. Steele, that the Board of Health receive Report No. 07-21
re: “Medical Officer of Health Activity Report for January 2021” for information.
Carried

Correspondence

Chair Cassidy noted that she received a letter from Peggy Sattler, MPP London West, requesting to add this letter to the evening’s correspondence. This letter was regarding the Board’s support of Bill 239, the Stay Home If You Are Sick Act.

It was moved by Mr. Parker, seconded by Ms. Kayabaga, that the Board of Health add correspondence from MPP Peggy Sattler, regarding Bill 239 to the January 21st, 2021 agenda.
Carried

While the members were still viewing the letter via email, it was moved by Mr. Reid, seconded by Mr. Parker, that the Board of Health receive correspondence items a) through d, excluding the recently added letter from MPP Peggy Sattler.
Carried

Discussion about the letter included:
• Broad subject matter, with a reluctancy to endorse without knowing further information
• Noting that the Bill 239 was going to second reading on March 9th, which would give members time to look further into the bill
• Potential for staff to review if the bill aligns with the health unit’s mandate
• Potential to defer the letter to the next Board of Health meeting
• Being cautious regarding party affiliation and endorsing a private member’s bill
• Consideration to endorsing the notion of paid sick leave, as opposed to the letter

Ms. Kayabaga wished to endorse this letter from the perspective of supporting paid sick leave, as it aligns with what health care professionals are advocating for.

Chair Cassidy noted that based on previous comments, the Board would rather have more information before endorsing an item. It was also noted that if there was no seconder, this item would not be able to come back for discussion at a following meeting.

It was moved by Mr. Parker, seconded by Mr. O’Donnell, that the Board of Health defer the correspondence item from MPP Peggy Sattler, regarding Bill 239 to the February 18, 2021 Board of Health Meeting.
Carried

Other Business

• Provisional Strategic Planning sessions on: January 27th (8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.) and January 28th (1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.)

Confidential

At 9:32 p.m., it was moved by Ms. DeViet, seconded by Mr. Reid, that the Board of Health will move in-camera to consider matters regarding identifiable individuals, information explicitly supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board by Canada, a province or territory or a Crown agency and a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land.
Carried

At 10:56 p.m., it was moved by Mr. Parker, seconded by Mr. Reid, that the Board of Health return to public session from closed session.
Carried

Adjournment

At 10:57 p.m., it was moved by Mr. Parker, seconded by Mr. O’Donnell, that the meeting be adjourned.

Maureen Cassidy
Chair

Christopher Mackie
Secretary-Treasurer