Item - 2012.HL13.3

Toronto Public Health (TPH) has been involved in supporting bed bug control activities since 2005.  During the period May 1, 2011, to March 31, 2012, a dedicated multi-disciplinary team realized substantial service accomplishments.  This new approach was the result of provincial funding received after extensive advocacy over the past few years.

As the City of Toronto's lead for the 2011-12 Bed Bug Control Strategy, TPH received time-limited funding from the Province of Ontario to deliver on a comprehensive bed bug control mandate which includes supporting the City's most vulnerable residents who lack the financial resources and/or face physical or mental challenges affecting their ability to address infestations and prevent reoccurrence. 

In 2011-12, bed bug control activities led by the team included: prevention, identification, inspection and assessment, and extreme cleaning and unit preparation for treatment of bed bug infestations, as well as comprehensive nursing assessment, health services referral and supports for those clients with multiple health issues and who lack basic necessities.  TPH also supported other key City partners with implementing bed bug control activities within their respective jurisdictions, including Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) and Shelter Support and Housing Administration (SSHA).

With the exception of on-going provincial funding for three public health nurses, all funding received by TPH in 2011 was only one-time funding and expired on March 31, 2012.  This includes the $1,216,518 in provincial funding allocated to various control activities (e.g., inspection, assessment, extreme cleaning), supplies and equipment (e.g., vacuums, bedding encasements, replacement beds), and for the staffing costs related to six public health inspectors and a manager who work with the three public health nurses as an integrated response team. 

The one-time provincial funding ended March 31, 2012, as previously highlighted to the Board of Health (BOH) in a series of TPH staff reports throughout 2011 and 2012.  To date, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has not yet formally communicated a commitment to funding all components of the bed bug control strategy.  Without an ongoing provincial funding commitment, the operational and human resources required to meet the basic demands for service will be significantly impacted, and the core services including comprehensive assessments, block inspections and extreme cleaning and unit preparation will cease.  This is consistent with the Board of Health's January 20, 2012, direction to the Medical Officer of Health to provide Toronto Public Health's bed bug control strategy services in accordance with approved dedicated provincial and municipal funding in 2012.This report provides an update on TPH Bed Bug control activities to March 31, 2012 and service levels for the balance of 2012 in light of the end of one-time provincial funding. 

In addition, this report, in consultation with Municipal Licensing and Standards, Legal Services and TCHC, responds to directions from the January 20, 2012 BOH meeting; and the February 6 and 7, 2012 City Council meeting.