City Council Meeting Summary

• The meeting focused on public health, harm reduction, and housing-related policy, with ongoing discussions on Supervised Consumption Site closures, mortality and morbidity surveillance, and funding for health initiatives. Several motions were debated, with some passed (notably on AIDS prevention funding and school-based vision testing) and others held or deferred for further discussion. Public input occurred through deputations and registered speakers.

• Key file numbers referenced include HL29.1 through HL29.4 (Our Health, Our City updates, mortality trends, Toronto Urban Health Fund, and school-based vision testing), along with various provincial bills (e.g., Bill 223, Bill 60, Bill 6, Bill 10) and local transition plans such as the downtown Heart Hub and ACT-related closures.

Five Most Important Topics Discussed

1) Supervised Consumption Site (SCS) Closures and Harm Reduction - Discussion highlighted the impact of provincial funding cuts and site closures, including Parkdale Queen West, and the resulting service gaps and safety concerns in communities. Deputants emphasized that SCS save lives and are essential to harm reduction, with calls for transition plans and alternative service delivery. - Representative quotes: - “SCSs save lives. They prevent fatal overdoses, reduce the spread of infectious disease, connect people to housing and treatment, and reduce public drug use and discarded equipment.” - “Closing SCS sites before alternatives exist is not a transition plan. It’s a public health disaster.” - Public input notes: Residents and service providers urged action and preservation of harm reduction capacity; several deputations pressed for reopening or sustaining SCS operations and expanding outreach.

2) Mortality Data Surveillance and Health Equity (HL29.2) - Toronto Public Health presented mortality trends and highlighted disparities by age, sex, geography, and income, with emphasis on data-driven public health action. The discussion stressed the role of mortality surveillance for guiding interventions and addressing health inequities. - Representative quotes: - “Mortality surveillance can help identify new, emerging, and more immediate threats to the health of the public.” - “People living in the lowest income areas had 20% higher mortality rate than those living in the highest.” - Public input opportunities discussed: Input opportunities exist via public forums and dashboards, though some sections noted limited public consultation during certain presentations.

3) Health Our City (Mental Health, Substance Use, and SCS Work) and Working Groups (HL29.1 / HL29.3) - The board detailed the Our Health, Our City strategy with three working groups focusing on SCS closures, alcohol-related harms, and mental health/primary care. The collaboration with primary care and community partners was emphasized, with ongoing work and reports anticipated. - Public remarks noted the ongoing opioid crisis, the need for provincial and federal alignment, and the role of data in shaping policy. - Notable motions/outcomes: - HL29.1: Motion to continue AIDS prevention services post-2026 – Passed unanimously (ensuring continuity of services through other providers and planning for transition). - HL29.3: Toronto Urban Health Fund grant programs – Discussions held; no final motion outcome noted in this subsection.

4) School-Based Vision Testing and Public Health Education (HL29.4) - A motion to promote and deliver vision testing in selected Toronto high schools passed, aiming to improve student health access to vision care and support educational outcomes. - Public input: Deputants and speakers discussed broader health education and outreach, with some advocating for clearer communication and engagement strategies.

5) Public Health Funding and Advocacy for Harm Reduction (TUHF, ACT, and related funding) - Several deputations addressed gaps in funding for harm reduction, including the Toronto Urban Health Fund (TUHF) and the closure of ACT services. Calls were made for automatic grant renewals, extended funding cycles, and the use of emergency and federal funds to sustain services. - Representative quotes: - “The lack of timely communication about not opening the Toronto Urban Health Fund this fall leaves us and vulnerable communities we serve at dire risk.” - “Extending TRIP and satellite projects is essential to maintain health equity.” - Motions/outcomes: - Several motions to continue or extend funding were discussed, with some passed (e.g., TRIP Project funding extension) and others pending further discussion or undecided in these sections (e.g., satellite program extensions).

Files Numbers and By-laws Discussed

• HL29.1: Our Health, Our City Annual Progress Report (public health strategy related item).
• HL29.2: Updated Mortality Trends for Residents in Toronto.
• HL29.3: Toronto Urban Health Fund Grant Programs Review Findings and Next Steps.
• HL29.4: Promoting and Delivering School-Based Vision Testing in Selected Toronto High Schools.
• By-laws and provincial bills referenced in discussions include:
  • Bill 223, Bill 60, Bill 6, Bill 10 (harm reduction and policy-related legislation).
  • References to ACT (AIDS Committee of Toronto) and the potential transition of services.

Opportunities for Public Input

• Deputants were invited to speak and register to provide input; the list of speakers was posted on the Board of Health page on the city website.
• Ongoing public input opportunities include:
  • Public deputations at meetings (registered speakers listed beforehand).
  • Potential future consultations and community engagement related to TUHF grants, SCS transitions, and harm reduction programs.
  • Public health program reviews and feedback channels tied to board and committee proceedings.

Motions Passed, Rejected, or Deferred (selected)

• Passed
  • Motion to Continue AIDS Prevention Services Post-2026 (HL29.1): Passed unanimously.
  • Promoting and Delivering School-Based Vision Testing in Selected Toronto High Schools (HL29.4): Passed.
  • Motion to Continue Monthly Data Review on Needle and Syringe Pickup Trends: Passed.
  • Motion to Address Impacts of SCS Closures: Passed.
  • Motion to Analyze Overdose Trends and Data: Passed.
  • Motion to Extend TRIP Project Funding for 2026: Passed unanimously.
• Deferred or Held for Further Discussion
  • HL29.1, HL29.2, HL29.3: Some items were held for further discussion or presentations (e.g., AT times, interim approaches for TUHF).
  • Alcohol Use Disorder Treatments – Expanded discussion deferred.
  • Housing and Shelter Gaps – Deferred pending further Alcohol Working Group input.
  • Interim TUHF actions – Supported in principle, but formal motion not always noted in these excerpts.
• Not Decided / Not Yet Recorded
  • Some motions to automatically extend satellite funding and other program extensions (e.g., Parkdale Queen West satellite program) were discussed but not always concluded in these sections; follow-up actions were noted.

Councillors Present

• Mayor Olivia Chow
• Councillor Chang
• Councillor Bravo
• Councillor Fletcher
• Councillor Shin

Notes: - Several Board of Health members (e.g., Moyes, Chron, Trundaban) and other staff appear across sections; the city council presence includes the named councillors listed above. - Attendance may vary by item as this compilation spans multiple related meetings and sections; the above names reflect those explicitly identified as councillors in the provided material.

Follow-Up Actions and Next Steps (summary)

• Continue discussion and reporting on public health news, mortality, and the Health Our City strategy; implement interim measures to improve funding accessibility (e.g., TUHF) and sustain harm reduction services.
• Progress the Vision Testing program, and finalize implementation plans for the Heart Hub and related downtown health service integration.
• Pursue funding opportunities (federal/emergency funds) to support SCS, harm reduction, and housing services; finalize and vote on extensions for projects like TRIP and Satellite programs.
• Engage the public through deputations and public consultations; monitor and report on overdose prevention, data transparency, and population health indicators.

Councillor Attendance (final consolidated list from sections)

• Mayor Olivia Chow
• Councillor Chang
• Councillor Bravo
• Councillor Fletcher
• Councillor Shin

End of Summary