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A presentation was provided by Ross MacEachern, Manager Environmental Health and Jason Garay Epidemiologist on the findings from the West Nile Virus Storm Water Management Pond Study. This is the first study to be conducted in Canada in relation to West Nile Virus and storm water management ponds. This study analyzed data and information from samplings of all "wet" retention ponds between May and September 2003. A total of 109 ponds (18 in Ajax) were studied. This study examined pond conditions and whether these conditions were associated with greater odds of finding mosquito larvae. After detailed statistical analysis the study concluded that pond conditions such as cattails, large amount of vegetation and standing water are related to greater odds of finding Culex larvae. The results of this study will be shared in greater detail with municipalities and other Health Departments) (Further info. SwaMp study can be found on )

The committee was also advised that there had been no human cases of WNV in 2003 compared to 3 cases in 2002 and 2 positive mosquito pools compared to 13 in 2002. Municipal partnerships had resulted in 431 complaints of stagnant water investigated, a total of 104,206 catch basins treated and 27 sites treated with surface water larviciding. Public education and communication efforts appeared to be having positive results on the public’s knowledge and behaviour.

Recommendation Province of Ontario Re: Smoking Ban in Public Places

The Health & Social Services Committee approved recommendations endorsing the Provincial government’s commitment (articulated in the Throne Speech) to ban smoking in all public places and workplaces within the next three years. (Note: The Durham Region Smoke Free Bylaw comes into effect June 1, 2004)

The Health & Social Services Committee recommended to Regional Council endorsement of a number of resolutions to be forwarded to the Association of Local Public Health Agencies for their Annual Conference June 13 - 15. These included resolutions requesting that ALPHA urge the Ontario Government to strike an expert panel to study childhood obesity and to recommend an Ontario strategy, resolutions to urge the Ontario Government to include those vaccinations as recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization in the schedule of publically funded routine childhood immunization and a number of recommendations regarding mandatory health programs and service guidelines. The Committee also endorsed a recommendation urging ALPHA to urge the Canadian government to strike a Ministerial Advisory Committee to oversee and guide the implementation of the recommendations from the National Committee on SARS and Public Health and that the Government of Canada direct the Minister of State for Public Health to report to Parliament at least annually on the progress of implementation. Recommendations to ALPHA urging the Ontario government to appoint an advisory committee to oversee and guide the recommendations of the Ontario Panel on SARS and that the Ontario Minister of Health and Long Term Care report at least annually on the progress of implementation were also supported by the Committee.

The Committee was advised that the Emergency Medical Services recently received a three year unconditional certification issued by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. The Executive Summary reported that the service was extremely dedicated to achieving excellence and should be commended for their hard work and that all vehicles and equipment were clean and in good working order. The report contained a few minor recommendations.

The initial report of the Ontario Expert Panel on SARS and Infectious Disease Control was provided as information to the Committee. Key highlights are that Ontario play an active role in ensuring progress is made to rejuvenate public health at the provincial and federal levels. A number of recommendations are included in the report such as the consolidation of Public Health Units, increasing Provincial funding support of public health resources, authorizing the Chief Medical Officer of Health to report directly to the Legislature as well as a number of recommendations concerning infection control, emergency preparedness, communications, surveillance and health human resources (including that at least 70% of hospital health care worker positions be full time)

A report was provided regarding the per diem rate provided to hostels and shelters which is used to cover accommodation including three meals a day. The province provides 80% of the funding capped at a per diem rate of $38.00 per day. The Region provides the remaining 20% of the per diem rate. Depending on the range of services provided at the hostel, the actual costs range between $47.00 and $73.00. Shelters rely on significant fund-raising efforts and donations to augment the difference.

The City of Toronto increased the per diem to $47.00 and Halton Council have recently increased their per diem to $48.00. Waterloo increased the per diem temporarily then rolled it back and provided an operating grant of $290,375.00 to area hostels to offset operating deficits.

As Provincial per diems have not kept pace with rising costs the financial viability of the hostel system is precarious.

Health & Social Services Committee directed staff to report back providing further details of the impact of the per diem rate on the financial state, human resources and service delivery of the hostels in Durham Region.