Item - 2012.HL10.3
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on February 6, 2012 with amendments.
- This item was considered by Board of Health on January 20, 2012 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on February 6, 2012.
HL10.3 - Bed Bug Control Strategy Update
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on February 6 and 7, 2012, adopted the following:
1. City Council request the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to provide a clear commitment to on-going base funding for all components of the bed bug control strategy starting April 1, 2012.
2. City Council request the Medical Officer of Health, in consultation with the City Manager and the City Solicitor, to report to the April 2, 2012 meeting of the Board of Health on the feasibility, implications and benefits of creating a publicly-accessible database that will be hosted on the City of Toronto website that tracks and monitors bed beg infestation with mapping tools.
Background Information (Board)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-44349.pdf
(January 13, 2012) Attachment 1 - Map of Requests for Service by Ward: May 1 - December 31, 2011
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-44353.pdf
Communications (Board)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/hl/comm/communicationfile-28183.pdf
Motions (City Council)
That City Council request the Medical Officer of Health, in consultation with the City Manager and the City Solicitor, to report to the April 2, 2012 meeting of the Board of Health on the feasibility, implications and benefits of creating a publicly-accessible database that will be hosted on the City of Toronto website that tracks and monitors bed beg infestation with mapping tools.
Vote (Amend Item (Additional)) Feb-06-2012 6:25 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - HL10.3 - Wong-Tam - motion 1 |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 34 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailão, Michelle Berardinetti, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Mike Del Grande, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Doug Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Doug Holyday, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Peter Milczyn, Frances Nunziata, John Parker (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Karen Stintz, Michael Thompson, Adam Vaughan, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
| Total members that were Absent: 11 | Members that were absent are Glenn De Baeremaeker, Rob Ford, Mark Grimes, Chin Lee, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Giorgio Mammoliti, Josh Matlow, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Cesar Palacio, Anthony Perruzza |
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Feb-06-2012 6:27 PM
| Result: Carried | Majority Required - HL10.3 - Adopt the item as amended |
|---|---|
| Total members that voted Yes: 35 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Maria Augimeri, Ana Bailão, Michelle Berardinetti, Shelley Carroll, Raymond Cho, Josh Colle, Gary Crawford, Vincent Crisanti, Janet Davis, Mike Del Grande, Frank Di Giorgio, Sarah Doucette, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Doug Ford, Mary Fragedakis, Doug Holyday, Norman Kelly, Mike Layton, Pam McConnell, Mary-Margaret McMahon, Joe Mihevc, Peter Milczyn, Frances Nunziata, Cesar Palacio, John Parker (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Jaye Robinson, David Shiner, Karen Stintz, Michael Thompson, Adam Vaughan, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
| Total members that voted No: 0 | Members that voted No are |
| Total members that were Absent: 10 | Members that were absent are Glenn De Baeremaeker, Rob Ford, Mark Grimes, Chin Lee, Gloria Lindsay Luby, Giorgio Mammoliti, Josh Matlow, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Ron Moeser, Anthony Perruzza |
HL10.3 - Bed Bug Control Strategy Update
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Board Recommendations
The Board of Health recommends that:
1. City Council request the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to provide a clear commitment to on-going base funding for all components of the bed bug control strategy starting April 1, 2012.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Board of Health:
1. Reaffirmed its direction to the Medical Officer of Health to provide Toronto Public Health's bed bug control services in accordance with approved dedicated provincial and municipal funding in 2012.
2. Requested the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to provide a clear commitment to on-going base funding for all components of the bed bug control strategy starting April 1, 2012.
3. Directed that the report (January 13, 2012) from the Medical Officer of Health be shared with Ontario Boards of Health for information and consideration.
4. Requested the Medical Officer of Health, in consultation with the City Manager and City Solicitor, to report to the Board of Health on April 2, 2012, on any changes required to regulation or by-laws, policy or procedures, to provide authority to Toronto Public Health or City of Toronto Municipal Licensing and Standards, to undertake or contract for necessary bed bug treatment and apply costs to the property taxes of landlords who fail to properly respond to bed bug infestations within their buildings.
5. Requested the Medical Officer of Health to provide the Board of Health with copies of current protocols for Bed Bug Control from Toronto Community Housing Corporation and other multi-residential landlords, and levels of compliance with following protocols.
6. Requested the Medical Officer of Health to report to the Board of Health on the work of the Multi-residential Apartment Building (MRAB) Audit and Enforcement Program in regard to bed bug cases and control.
7. Requested the Medical Officer of Health, in conjunction with the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to report to the Board of Health on a matrix for levels of bed bug infestations, and determine a threshold whereby public reporting would be triggered.
8. Requested the Chair of the Board of Health to convey, on behalf of the Members of the Board of Health, its sincere sympathy to the family of Rima Zavys.
Councillor Fletcher announced the passing of Rima Patricia Zavys, Director, Woodgreen Community Services, and Co-Chair, Toronto Bed Bug Project. Rima actively tackled the increasing problem of bed bugs in Toronto through her involvement in City and community initiatives and at WoodGreen. Rima quickly became known as an international expert on eradicating bed bugs, and her knowledge was sought after by housing providers, policy makers and media throughout North America. Councillor Fletcher requested that the Board of Health send the family its deepest condolences and recognize the amazing work that Rima Zavys undertook, particularly for the vulnerable in society.
The following gave a presentation to the Board of Health on the Bed Bug Control Strategy:
- Dr. David McKeown, Medical Officer of Health;
- Wayne Fletcher, Toronto Public Health Inspector; and
- Jason Bass-Meldrum, Toronto Public Health Nurse.
Origin
Summary
Bed bug infestations in the City of Toronto continue to occur in all parts of the City and across all social and economic strata. Based on research (including data collected by TPH), vulnerable populations have a disproportionate share of the burden of bed bugs. The City's most vulnerable lack the financial resources and/or face physical or mental challenges affecting their ability to address infestations and prevent reoccurrence.
Toronto Public Health has been involved in supporting bed bug control activities since 2005. As the lead for the 2011 bed bug control strategy, TPH has a time-limited funded mandate for bed bug control activities.
In 2011, City Council approved one-time municipal funding in the amount of $87,000 for the City's integrated bed bug response, which was allocated to support labour intensive unit preparation and cleaning activities in 2011.
In addition, in April 2011, the Government of Ontario committed to TPH $255,060 in on-going provincial funding for three public health nurses, and an additional $1,216,518 in one-time provincial funding for bed bug control activities (such as prevention, assessment, identification, and treatment of bed bug infestation for the City's most vulnerable populations). The one-time funds must be spent by March 31, 2012.
City Council approved receipt of the above noted provincial funding, including the three public health nurse positions, in September 2011. In view of 2012 operating budget reductions, TPH will be unable to continue the current level of bed bug control activities beyond March 31, 2012 without continued provincial funding.
This report provides the Board of Health with an update on bed bug control activities to date, the on-going need and demand for the program and resources, and recommends continued provincial funding beyond March 31, 2012.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-44349.pdf
(January 13, 2012) Attachment 1 - Map of Requests for Service by Ward: May 1 - December 31, 2011
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-44353.pdf
Communications
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2012/hl/comm/communicationfile-28183.pdf
Speakers
Sharon Younger, Chair, Tenants' Pest Control Committee
Motions
That the Medical Officer of Health, in consultation with the City Manager and City Solicitor, be requested to report to the Board of Health on April 2, 2012, on any changes required to regulation or by-laws, policy or procedures, to provide authority to Toronto Public Health or City of Toronto Municipal Licensing and Standards, to undertake or contract for necessary bed bug treatment and apply costs to the property taxes of landlords who fail to properly respond to bed bug infestations within their buildings.
That the Medical Officer of Health be requested to provide the Board of Health with copies of current protocols for Bed Bug Control from Toronto Community Housing Corporation and other multi-residential landlords, and levels of compliance with following protocols.
That the Medical Officer of Health be requested to report to the Board of Health on the work of the Multi-residential Apartment Building (MRAB) Audit and Enforcement Program in regard to bed bug cases and control.
That the Medical Officer of Health, in conjunction with the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, be requested to report to the Board of Health on a matrix for levels of bed bug infestations, and determine a threshold whereby public reporting would be triggered.