TPR Hamilton | Hamilton's Civic Affairs News Site (https://thepublicrecord.ca/topics/hamilton-board-of-health/)
Councillors heard COVID cases are increasing, but manageable, as public health encourages people to be “up to date” with their vaccinations.
Staffing shortages are challenging the ability to deliver services.
Council was updated on the public health division’s projections for COVID this spring, asked public health to reverse their plan to remove beach water condition signs from Hamilton’s seven public beaches, and listened to a salient delegation from a young woman whose father died during the early months of the COVID pandemic. Hamilton Grad Student Asks Council to Endorse Decriminalization of Simple Possession
Council heard a moving delegation from Carleton University Master’s student Kayla Hagerty. “I’m here to represent over 24,000 Canadians that have lost their lives to opioid-related overdose deaths since January 2016.” Hagerty began, pausing, before saying, “One of which was my father, Ian Harrington, who passed away in May 2020. I’m sorry.”
The vote to rescind the masking bylaw passed 10-2. Clrs Nann and Wilson both said Hamilton’s social determinants of health mean they cannot support ending the mandate.
Kayla Hagerty shared her personal story of personal loss, and her Masters research on overdose deaths to Council during a delegation on Monday.
Adding professional expertise to Boards of Health was recommended in 2004 by the SARS Commission, at least three current City Councillors remain opposed to making changes.
Hamilton’s Public Health Unit (PHU) says initial socio-economic data collected during COVID-19 “suggests that racialized populations, health care workers and people living with low-income are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 in Hamilton”.
Full video replay of the meeting
Councillors decide against an Oakville style bylaw, ask the province to implement tougher standards for fine particulate matter.
Council’s meets as Board of Health to plan the Public Health work plan priorities for 2017, and prioritize their outstanding business.
Senior’s dental programs, community health promotion in disadvantaged communities, and restructuring of health care with the elimination of the CCACs were the main topics of discussion at today’s meeting.
Full Replay Video.