Regional Councillor Report

Submitted by: Colleen Jordan, Regional Councillor Wards 3 & 4

Date: April 12, 2010

Regional Council – March 31, 2010

Councillor Mitchell’s (Whitby) motion (seconded by Mayor Parish) that prior to execution of a contract with Covanta the final draft agreement for the incinerator be brought back to Regional Council to ensure the contract agrees with all directions previously endorsed by Durham Region, was ruled out of order by the Chairperson. Projected to cost about $272.5 million (Durham’s share is $215 million) with operating costs expected to be about $14.7 million annually for the next 25 years, the incinerator facility will be the single most expensive project in Durham’s history. The contract will incorporate a number of factors including Council endorsed resolutions regarding emissions criteria and monitoring, as well as business case factors including guaranteed waste tonnage, etc. All these components ultimately will impact on the total final capital and operating costs. Nine Regional Councillors supported Councillor Mitchell’s challenge to the Chair’s ruling (including myself and Mayor Parish) supporting the direction that Regional Councillors should exercise due diligence regarding this complex contract that will bind the Region and its residents for many years into the future. The Chair’s ruling was upheld.

Durham Region Transit Commission − March 31, 2010

The Long Term Transit Strategy Final Report to Senior Government was presented to the Transit Commission. This plan was undertaken through funding provided by both the Provincial and Federal governments to develop a long term transit study strategy. The $82.3 million announced as part of the 2008 Ontario budget provides the Region with the funding to implement phase 1 of the Highway 2 Bus Rapid Transit Program. This formed the starting point for the long term strategy, which addresses future growth and transit demands to 2031. Preliminary capital estimates for the preferred alternative are in the magnitude of $3.7 billion (2011 to 2031). In addition, operating costs would be about $1.2 billion over the twenty years, reaching an ultimate net annual operating requirement of $116.4 million annually. The study clearly indicates that Durham Region will require significant investment in public transit from the Federal and Provincial governments in order to meet the transit needs of Durham residents.

Health and Social Services – April 8, 2010

The 2008 Annual Report (delayed due to H1N1 response) from the Chief Medical Officer of Health was submitted to the Legislature by David Williams, Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health and received by the Health Committee. This report focuses on infectious disease prevention and control in Ontario as well as the need for continuing investment in public health. Dr. William’s report talks about the threats faced by the public health system which have become more far reaching and complex. Food borne illnesses (mass production and the fact that food consumed may have originated thousands of miles away) and antibiotic resistant illnesses in hospitals are just a few examples given of the heightened complexity of dealing with infectious diseases. The report highlights the initiatives and investments made in public health since the SARS crisis but speaks to the need for increased resources for the Chief Medical Officer of Health due to the expanded role in co-ordination with entities that did not exist prior to SARS, such as the Pan Canadian Public Health Network. It also speaks to the need for resources for local public health units to ensure consistency in service levels. Dr. Williams also cites the concern of the number of vacancies in leadership in public health positions due to the lack of competitive compensation for medical officers of health.

The listeriosis outbreak showed a greater need for cohesion throughout the system. He recommends that the provincial government should expedite the implementation of the following components of Panorama (Canadian Public Health Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Management System), communicable disease outbreak/management, immunization registry and management and vaccine ordering and distribution. Recommendations also request that the federal government should develop a national outbreak management strategy in response to complex cross-jurisdictional outbreaks such as the listeriosis outbreak in 2008.

Dr. Williams also speaks to the need for higher levels of immunization rates for seasonal flu by health care workers and the public in order to reduce transmission. In 2008, only 50% of hospital workers and less than 50% of the public were immunized for seasonal flu under the universal free immunization program. He states “Getting an annual flu shot is a simple but effective way to take responsibility for one’s own health and protect the health of vulnerable individuals.” Dr. Williams speaks to the need for quality communication and education in order to engage and motivate the public to participate in immunization programs in order to enhance the safety net.