alPHa Position
alPHa agrees with the statement by Canada's former Minister of State for Public Health, that "poor living conditions such as poverty, food insecurity, family violence, inadequate housing, unsafe environmental conditions, social discrimination, poor working
conditions and lack of education...are often the root causes of poor health." alPHa believes that health inequalities due to these factors are measurable and that clear cause-and-effect evidence exists to inform interventions to reduce preventable
illness and premature death.
| RESOLUTION A24-05 - Early Childhood Food Insecurity: An Emerging Public Health Problem Requiring UrgentAction |
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Association of Local Public Health Agencies call on the
Provincial government to optimize early growth and development among families most impacted by food
insecurity and health inequities, by: (i) Increasing the Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Nutritional Allowance and the Special Diet Allowance
to ensure families reliant on Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program can afford
the products they need to adequately nourish their infants; (ii) Expanding the Ontario Drug Benefit to include specialized infant formulas for families whose
children (0-24 months) have a medical diagnosis* requiring strict avoidance of standard soy and
milk proteins.
AND FURTHER THAT alPHa continues to advocate for income-related policies to reduce household food
insecurity, especially for households with children where prevalence of food insecurity is highest.
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Developments on A24-05:
July 18, 2024
alPHa has sent a letter to the Minister of Health that introduces this resolution.
| RESOLUTION A23-4 - Ending Underhousing and Homelessness in Ontario |
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THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT alPHa support AMO’s Call to Action on Housing and Homelessness;
AND FURTHER THAT alPHa call on the Provincial Government to:
acknowledge that housing is a health issue and a human right.
- acknowledge that homelessness in Ontario is a social, economic, and health crisis.
- commit to the goal of ending underhousing and homelessness in Ontario.
- work with alPHa, AMO and a broad range of community, health, Indigenous and economic partners to develop, resource, and implement an action plan to achieve this goal.
AND FURTHER THAT the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Ministers of Health; Municipal Affairs and Housing; and Children, Community and Social Services be so advised.
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Developments on A23-4:
September 6, 2023
alPHa has received a response from the Premier to alPHa's letter that introduces Resolution A23-04.
August 15, 2023
alPHa has written a letter to the Premier that introduces this resolution.
| RESOLUTION A23-5 - Monitoring Food Affordability in Ontario and Inadequacy of Social Assistance Rates |
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that alPHa call on the Province of Ontario to utilize food affordability monitoring results from PHUs in determining the adequacy of social assistance rates to reflect the current costs
of living and to index Ontario Works rates to inflation going forward; AND FURTHER that alPHa call on the Province of Ontario to acknowledge the impact of rising food costs, particularly for individuals
living on social assistance incomes, and legislate targets for reduction of food insecurity as part of Ontario’s plan for poverty reduction.
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Developments on A23-5:
August 15, 2023
alPHa has written a letter to the Minister of Health that introduces this resolution.
| RESOLUTION A22-1 - Race-Based Inequities in Health |
THAT alPHa call on the Ministry of Health to work with stakeholders and communities to explore methods, supports, and resources to more systematically collect sociodemographic data including race, within the provincial health services and to make this data routinely available to local Public Health Units for assessment and planning, to ensure that we are deploying resources to the populations with the greatest need, supporting culturally safe public health services and preserving the capacity of the health care system. |
Developments on A22-1:
December 2022
Public Health Ontario has approved a 2022-23 Locally Driven Collaborative Project (LDCP) titled, Lessons learned from the collection of sociodemographic data (SDD) during the COVID-19 pandemic, led by Peel Public Health in partnership with Ottawa Public Health and Upstream Lab (MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael’s Hospital).
The intent of the project is to review across Ontario health units what worked during the pandemic, barriers to SDD collection, and assessing how those lessons might be applied across other Public Health services.
October 14, 2022
alPHa has sent a letter to the Minister of Health urging the incorporation of sociodemographic
data (SDD) in all database systems, including the Case Contact Management expansion (which is replacing iPHIS) for reporting of diseases of public health significance (DoPHS).
July 18, 2022
alPHa has sent a separate letter to the Minister of Health that introduces this resolution
specifically.
July 18, 2022
Letter sent to the Minister of Health from the alPHa President
that introduces this and the four other resolutions that were passed by our members at the 2022 Annual General Meeting.
Developments on A22-5:
Please see details on alPHa's Substance Use Resolutions Page
| RESOLUTION A18-2 - Public Health Support for a Minimum Wage that is a Living Wage |
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THAT the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) endorse the principles encompassed in a living wage; AND FURTHER that alPHa request that the provincial Government consider adopting a
living wage perspective when setting future minimum wage rates to ensure that it covers the actual costs of living in most Ontario communities, as a way to reduce poverty and income insecurity and promote the health of Ontarians.
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Developments on A18-2:
August 7, 2018
alPHa has sent a letter to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care notifying
her of the passage of this and four other 2018 alPHa resolutions.
August 7, 2018
alPHa has sent a letter to the Minister of Labour notifying her of the passage of this resolution.
| RESOLUTION A18-3 - Public Health’s Role in Food Affordability Surveillance |
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THAT the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) call upon the Chief Medical Officer of Health of Ontario and the Ministers of Health and Long‐Term Care and Community and Social Services, to confirm a comprehensive role for Public Health and provide resources to support Public Health’s role in the collection of food affordability data and in formalizing the process to develop an Ontario Market Basket Measure.
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Developments on A18-3:
August 7, 2018
alPHa has sent a letter to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care notifying her of the passage of this and four other 2018 alPHa resolutions.
August 7, 2018
alPHa has sent a letter to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services notifying her of the passage of this and one other 2018 alPHa resolution.
RESOLUTION A18-4 - Extending the Ontario Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Nutritional Allowance to 24
Months |
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THAT the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) support the advocacy letter written by the Southwestern Ontario Lactation Consultants Group and call upon the Ministry of Community and Social Services to extend
the Ontario Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Nutritional Allowance from 12 months to at least 24 months while breastfeeding.
AND FURTHER THAT alPHa recommend that the Ministry of Community and Social Services:
1. Increase the Pregnancy/Breastfeeding allowance (Ontario Works Directive 6.5 and Ontario
Disability Support Program Directive 6.5) to $145/month ($162/month if mother or infant is
lactose intolerant) for the first 12 months of life to align with the Special Diet Allowance
(Ontario Works Directive 6.6 and Ontario Disability Support Program Directive 6.4), which is
provided to formula feeding mothers, for the first 12 months of life; and
2. Provide a $40/month Special Diet Allowance for formula feeding mothers from 12 to 24 months
of age; and
3. Remove the requirement for mothers to disclose and have a health professional sign off on their
chosen feeding method in order to be eligible to receive the income allowance.
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Developments on A18-4:
August 7, 2018
alPHa has sent a letter to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care notifying her of the passage of this and four other 2018 alPHa resolutions.
August 7, 2018
alPHa has sent a letter to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services notifying her of the passage of this and one other 2018 alPHa resolution.
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RESOLUTION A17-2, Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) Calls to Action
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THAT the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) publicly acknowledge the harm that colonization and the residential school system caused and continue to cause to Indigenous people living in Ontario;
AND FURTHER that the board and staff of alPHa commit to work towards Indigenous cultural competency that is reflected in alPHa’s planning, implementation, and evaluation of all program(s), activities, and policies, and engage
with Indigenous partners in a way that is meaningful for them;
AND FURTHER that alPHa assist member boards of health in:
· committing to reading and understanding the Calls to Action and the role that boards of health can play as part of reconciliation;
· ensuring that all staff and board members are competent to act as better allies and provide culturally safe care to the Indigenous people within the areas of their
geographic responsibility;
· assessing the unique health needs and health inequities experienced by Indigenous peoples;
· modifying and reorienting public health interventions to be culturally safe for Indigenous peoples;
· engaging with Indigenous communities in a way that is meaningful for them; and,
· supporting policy development and health equity analysis to decrease health inequities experienced by Indigenous peoples;
AND FURTHER that alPHa request that Public Health Ontario and the Association of Public Health Epidemiologists of Ontario engage with Indigenous population health expertise, including staff at the National Collaborating Centre
for Aboriginal Health (NCCAH), to advise and assist the field on how Ontario’s public health sector can best participate in TRC Call to Action #19 which calls on the federal government, in consultation with Aboriginal[i] peoples, to establish measurable goals to redress health inequities and to report annually on the progress being made here in Ontario.
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Developments on A17-2:
Ongoing
The alPHa Board had an initial discussion of this on September 29 2017 and suggested that the best way forward would be for alPHa to strike its own ad hoc committee to explore potential TRC calls to action. It was also recommended that alPHa adopt the
practice of acknowledging traditional lands at meetings and conferences as an easily achievable first step. This was done at the beginning of all face-to-face alPHa meetings since.
alPHa has circulated a list of territorial acknowledgements to its members, which was
developed by the Ontario Federation of Labour in consultation with its Aboriginal Persons Caucus. This one was chosen because it was easy to navigate and specific to Ontario. This resource is also available in the alPHaWeb Library under
the “Other Information” tab.
alPHa has also circulated information on Cancer Care Ontario’s New and revised Aboriginal Relationship and Cultural Competency Courses, which is a series of self-directed
online courses provided by CCO to anyone who wants to take them, free of charge.
In addition, the 2018 Ontario Public Health Standards are now in place, and they include direction on engaging with First Nations and Indigenous communities and organizations under the Health Equity Standard. As of the writing of this report, the Relationship
with Indigenous Communities Guideline, 2018 is currently under development and its content will certainly have a bearing on the activities outlined in the resolution.
alPHa has followed up on the Board’s direction to form an ad hoc committee to ensure that the operative clauses of this resolution are satisfied. A call has gone out to individual Board members to consider volunteering and / or to identify individuals
in their respective regions who might be willing to participate. Final composition of the work group and terms of reference to be determined.
August 8 2017
alPHa has sent aletter to the Ministerof Health and Long-Term Care introducing the resolution on Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action.
November 17 2017
The theme of alPHa's 2016 Fall Symposium was "Cultural Competencies to Support Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation". Members can view theconference proceedings here.
Developments on A17-4:
December 17, 2019
alPHa has sent a letter to the new federal Minister of Health congratulating her on her appointment and outlining how alPHa's work aligns with elements of her mandate. This resolution is attached.
August 3 2017
alPHa has circulated a letter addressed to the MOH / CEO of each public health unit that encourages each of its members to implement comprehensive workplace strategies to address psychological health and safety.
RESOLUTION A15-1, Applying a Health Equity Lens
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THAT the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) advocate to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for the consistent use of a health equity lens in the Ministry's public health programming, and to continue to promote and support
the use of a health equity lens in other parts of the health system;
AND FURTHER THAT alPHa advocate to the Ontario provincial government for a Health in All Policies (HIAP) framework which would include the use of a health equity
lens in ministries affecting equitable access to the social determinants of health such as Finance, Children and Youth Services, Community and Social Services, Health and Long-Term Care, Education, Municipal Affairs and Housing, Environment
and Climate Change, Economic Development, and Employment and Infrastructure; AND FURTHER THAT alPHa advocate for other health organizations to incorporate and apply a health equity lens through the use of health equity focused tools in
all their activities.
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Developments on A15-1:
January 15 2016
alPHa has sent a letter in support of the Ontario Society of Nutrition Professionals in Public
Health (OSNPPH) Position Statement on Responses to Food Insecurity, which
calls for consideration of a basic income guarantee. Includes alPHa Resolutions A15-4 (Basic Income Guarantee) and A05-18 (Adequate Nutrition for works and Ontario Disability Support Program Participants and Low Wage Earners)
July 30 2015
alPHa has sent a letter to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care introducing
this resolution. The alPHa – OPHA position paper on the subject is included.
Resolution
A15-2, National Universal Pharmacare Program
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THATthe Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) urges the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario to move forward with the development and implementation of a national, universal pharmacare program;
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Developments on A15-2:
December 17, 2019
alPHa has sent a letter to the new federal Minister of Health congratulating her on her appointment and outlining how alPHa's work aligns with elements of her mandate. This resolution is attached.
June 12, 2019
The final report of the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare is recommending that Canada implement universal, single-payer, public pharmacare; the establishment of a Canadian drug agency responsible for developing an initial formulary of common or so-called essential medicines by January 1, 2022; and expansion to a fully comprehensive
formulary by January 1, 2027. The full report is here and the Government response is here.
March 5, 2019
The Interim Report of the Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare has been issued to the federal Ministers
of Health and Finance.
July 6 2018
alPHa has submitted a letter along with Resolution A15-2 to the consultation process described
below.
June 20, 2018
The Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare (the Council) is leading a national consultation on how to implement affordable national pharmacare for Canadians and their families, employers and governments. Paricipants are asked to review its Discussion Paper and then make written submissions and/or participate in the online discussion forum. There is no deadline posted at the moment.
March 28 2018
As part of the 2018 Ontario Budget, the Government has announced extended health benefits for the 1 in 4 working-age Ontarians (and 60% of seniors) who do not have access through employers or
government programs, including a new Ontario Drug and Dental Program that will be launched in the summer of 2019. alPHa has sent a letter in response to the Budget that includes reference to this resolution.
April 18, 2018
In a report released Wednesday, the all-party parliamentary committee on health made
18 recommendations, including expanding the Canada Health Act to cover prescription drugs dispensed outside of hospitals; creating a unified list of drugs that would qualify for public coverage; and asking the provinces, territories and the federal
government to share the cost of a national pharmacare program.
January 5 2018
A joint letter from alPHa and OPHA has been sent to the Minister of Community and Social Services that provides feedback on the recently-released report, Income Security: A Roadmap for Change.
December 7 2017
The Minister of Community and Social Services has received a report entitled Income Security: A Roadmap for Change. Recommendations include adoption of a minimum
income standard, expansion of prescription drug coverage to adults 25 to 65, Expanding Healthy Smiles Ontario to adults age 18 to 65 and reforming social assistance.
May 4 2017
alPHa has written two letters to the Minister of Finance. The first is a general response
to the 2017 Ontario Budget (which includes a brief reference to this resolution) and the second is
a more fulsome response to the pharmacare announcement specifically.
April 27 2017
The Minister of Finance has announced a universal pharmacare program for all Ontarians 24 years of age and younger
as part of the 2017 Budget. This will begin in January 2018.
September 22 2015
Response received from the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
August 24 2015
The Canadian Medical Association has passed a resolution that complements the alPHa one.
August 14 2015
Letter from the Prime Minister's Office acknowledging receipt of the alPHa letter and resolution.
July 30 2015
Written response received from the Premier of Ontario.
July 30 2015
alPHa has signed on as a supporter of the Campaign for National Drug Coverage
July 28 2015
alPHa has written to the Prime Minister of Canada and the Premier of Ontario (with copies to an extensive list of others) informing them of the passage of this resolution.
June 8 2015
As alPHa was passing the above Resolution, Ontario's Minister of Health and Long-Term Care was hosting a Round Table Discussion on Pharmacare.
Resolution
A15-4, Public Health Support for a Basic Income Guarantee
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) endorse the concept of a basic income guarantee; AND FURTHER that alPHa request that the federal Ministers of Employment and Social Development, Labour,
and Health, as well as the Ontario Ministers Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, Seniors, Labour, Children and Youth Services, and Health and Long-Term Care, prioritize joint federal-provincial consideration and investigation
into a basic income guarantee, as a policy option for reducing poverty and income insecurity and for providing opportunities for those in low income.
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Developments on A15-4:
August 2, 2018
alPHa has transmitted a letter to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services urging her to reconsider the decision to end the OBIP.
July 31, 2018
The newly-elected Government of Ontario has announced that it will be terminating the Ontario Basic Income Pilot.
January 5 2018
A joint letter from alPHa and OPHA has been sent to the Minister of Community and Social Services that provides feedback on the recently-released report, Income Security: A Roadmap for Change.
December 7 2017
The Minister of Community and Social Services has received a report entitled Income Security: A Roadmap for Change. Recommendations include adoption of a minimum
income standard, expansion of prescription drug coverage to adults 25 to 65, Expanding Healthy Smiles Ontario to adults age 18 to 65 and reforming social assistance.
October 3 2017
Ontario has announced the launch of the pilot
program, which will provide a basic income to 400 people beginning this month.
June 28 2017
The alPHa - OPHA Health Equity Working Group has made a submission to the federal Poverty Reduction
Strategy consultation. It includes reference to the consideration of a Basic Income Guarantee.
May 4 2017
alPHa has written a letter to the Minister of Finance in response to the 2017
Ontario Budget, which includes a reference to this resolution.
April 24 2017
The Government of Ontario has announced the details of its pilot program.
March 16 2017
The Ontario Government has released a report of the Basic Income
Guarantee consultation findings, and has confirmed that program design for a pilot project is underway, with a view to a spring 2017 launch.
January 17 2017
alPHa, OPHA and PHO have made a joint submission to the
Basic Income Pilot. Hugh Segal’s report as well as the consultation guide can be found on alPHa’s website here.
July 21 2016
alPHa has transmitted a letter to the Minister of Community and Social Services in support of the announced
pilot project.
June 24 2016
The Province of Ontario has announced the appointment of Hon. Hugh Segal
to lead the consultation and advisory process leading to the design and implementation of the basic income pilot project.
March 11 2016
alPHa has sent a letter to the Minister of Finance in response to the Ontario Budget
that includes congratulations for committing to a Basic Income pilot project.
February 25 2016
The 2016 Ontario Budget contains a commitment to working with communities, researchers and other stakeholders in 2016 to design and implement a Basic Income pilot project.
November 20 2015
alPHa has received a response from the Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy to its July 30
letter.
October 2015
alPHa Affiliate OSNPPH has released its Position Statement on Responses to Food Insecurity,
which recommends income security as a solution to food insecurity. It emphasizes exploration of a Basic Income Guarantee as a simpler and transparent approach to social assistance
September 28 2015
alPHa has been informed that the Poverty Reduction Network of Sarnia-Lambton has formally endorsed the alPHa
resolution.
August 24 2015
The Canadian Medical Association has passed a resolution that mirrors the alPHa one.
August 10 2015
Written response received from the Premier of Ontario
August 17 2015
A letter that advocates consideration of a Basic Income Guarantee as part of Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy has
been signed by nearly 200 Ontario Physicians and forwarded to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Several of alPHa's member MOHs have signed.
August 4th 2015
The Globe and Mail has published an opinion piece that supports the concept
of a Basic Income Guarantee. It indirectly refers to alPHa's Resolution, and links to another page that makes direct reference.
July 30 2015
alPHa has written to the Premier of Ontario and Prime Minister of Canada notifying them of alPHa's resolution.
June 25 2015
alPHa has provided a copy of this resolution to the Senior Policy Advisor for the Minister of Community and Social Services at his request.
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Resolution: # A11-5, Reducing Barriers to the Provision of Public Health Services to Ontario First Nations
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THAT the Ontario Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) strongly recommend and urgently request that the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and Health Canada establish a mechanism for First Nations who currently have, or
are interested in pursuing, a Section 50 agreement, to cover the costs associated with the municipal portion of public health funding without compromising their existing public health programming. In addition, Boards of Health that
incur additional costs to provide requested public health services to First Nations communities within their geographic area should be reimbursed from a fund that is established for this purpose; AND FURTHER that the Association of
Public Health Agencies (alPHa) call for the Ontario government to develop policies and to coordinate and implement a long-term strategy to help improve socio-economic benefits to First Nations.
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Developments on #A11-5:
April 2, 2012
COMOH has sent a letter ofsupport for the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) proposal in response to the Health Services Integration Fund RFP, which refers to this resolution and expresses acommitment to working with the Chiefs of Ontario as outlined in their proposal
in pursuit of greater public health system integration for First Nations communities. Please click
here to read.
November 17, 2011
Response to this and four other 2011 Resolutions received from the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Please click here to read.
August 17, 2011
alPHa has written to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care urging action on this and five other 2011 alPHa Resolutions. Please click here to read.
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Resolution: # A10-10, Dental Health for Low-Income Ontarians
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THAT the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) call on the Government of Ontario to renew its original promise to provide its dental program for low income families, with a renewed focus on Ontario's low-income adults.
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Developments on #A10-10:
January 5 2018
A joint letter from alPHa and OPHA has been sent to the Minister of Community and Social Services that provides feedback on the recently-released report, Income Security: A Roadmap for Change.
December 7 2017
The Minister of Community and Social Services has received a report entitled Income Security: A Roadmap for Change. Recommendations include adoption of a minimum
income standard, expansion of prescription drug coverage to adults 25 to 65, Expanding Healthy Smiles Ontario to adults age 18 to 65 and reforming social assistance.
October 28, 2010
Response received to the correspondence notifying the Ministry of
Health and Long-Term Care of this and four other 2010 alPHa resolutions.
Please
click here to read.
August 19, 2010
alPHa has sent a letter to the Minister of Health and Long-Term
Care introducing this and four other 2010 Resolutions.
Please click here to read.
A similar Resolution (
A08-12)
was closed by the alPHa Board of Directors on June 12, 2011, as this Resolution
is more aligned with current circumstances on the same topic. Actions on that
resolution are therefore also included here:
January 21,
2010
Response to alPHa's December 2009 letter received from the
Premier.
Please
click here to read.
December 17,
2009
Letter written to the Premier urging follow through on a
coherent provincial strategy for dental services for low-income Ontarians, with
a renewed focus on adults.
Please
click here to read.
July 7, 2009
Letter sent to the Premier urging immediate and full
implementation of the dental program for low-income Ontarians that was promised
in the 2008 provincial budget.
Please
click here to read.
March 23,
2009
Response received from the Premier's Office to the March 4th
letter.
Please
click here to read
.
March 4,
2009
Letter written to the Premier, copied to all members of the
Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction, introducing this and three other
poverty-related resolutions passed at the 2008 annual meeting.
Please
click here to read.
December 4,
2008
The Provincial
Government has announced its Poverty Reduction Strategy, as developed by the
Cabinet Committee led by Deb Matthews. It commits to set a five-year target of
reducing poverty by 25% as urged by the "25 in 5" coalition.
To achieve this, it pledges
·
Legislation requiring the government
to report annually on "key indicators of opportunity" -income
levels, school success, health care and housing
·
$1.3B annually (includes a $230M
increase)for the full implementation of the OCB
·
Reiterations of commitments to dental
health, housing and school nutrition programs
·
Investments in a range of social
programs for vulnerable youth
It is worth noting that the bulk of the report
is largely a summary of related provincial initiatives that are not new, and
that its success appears to depend on commitment from the federal level.
The full report is available on the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy's
dedicated Web site:
http://www.growingstronger.ca/english/default.asp
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Resolution:
#
A09-5,
World Health Organization Commission on Social Determinants
of Health (WHO-CSDH): Call to Action for Ontario Public Health
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THAT
alPHa congratulate the CSDH for its
work and endorse the content and recommendations of the WHO – CSDH final
report;
AND FURTHER that alPHa call on the MHP and the OAHPP to immediately begin work to determine their respective leadership roles in implementing the WHO – CSDH recommendations and in
supporting boards of health to do the same; AND FURTHER that alPHa work in partnership with boards of health to identify opportunities for individual and collective board action to reduce health
inequities through the implementation of the Ontario Public Health Standards; AND FINALLY
that alPHa widely communicate its support for the WHO – CSDH and this resolution to the Ontario and Canadian public health community, including the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada,and
the Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health, and the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs for Ontario and the Minister for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.
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Developments on #A09-5:
August 25, 2009
Brief note of thanks received from Prof. Sir Michael Marmot via
e-mail for the August 20 letter.
August 20, 2009
Letter written and sent as per the operative clauses of Resolution
A09-5.
Please
click here to read.
Developments on #A08-9:
March 23,
2009
Response received from the Premier's Office to the March 4th
letter.
Please
click here to read.
March 4,
2009
Letter written to the Premier, copied to all members of the
Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction, introducing this and three other
poverty-related resolutions passed at the 2008 annual meeting. Please click here to read.
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Resolution: # A08-10, Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy
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THAT the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) call for a government commitment to implement a coordinated, long-term poverty strategy with targets, timelines, a dedicated budget and ongoing evaluation in order to achieve sustained results,
including meeting a target of reducing 2005 poverty rates by 25% by 2012 and 50% by 2017; AND FURTHER THAT alPHa endorse the content and recommendations of the Campaign 2000 discussion paper, A Poverty Reduction Strategy for Ontario.
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Developments on #A08-10:
March 23,
2009
Response received from the Premier's Office to the March 4th
letter.
Please
click here to read.
March 4,
2009
Letter written to the Premier, copied to all members of the
Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction, introducing this and three other
poverty-related resolutions passed at the 2008 annual meeting.
Please
click here to read.
February 25,
2008
The Ontario Government has introduced
Bill 152, the Poverty Reduction Act. Its key requirements are
·
successive
governments to report annually on key indicators of opportunity - these will
typically include income levels, school success, health care and housing.
·
future governments to consult widely
before developing future strategies, including consultation with those living
in poverty.
·
Ontario to develop a new strategy at
least every five years.
·
future governments to set a specific
poverty reduction target every five years.
January 29,
2009
alPHa and the OPHA have sent a joint letter to the Finance
Minister and the Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction
congratulating them on the release of Breaking the Cycle, Ontario's Poverty
Reduction Strategy and suggesting several policy interventions that should be
included.
Please
click here to read. (March 13, 2009 -
Reply received from Minister Matthews)
December 4,
2008
The Provincial
Government has announced its Poverty Reduction Strategy, as developed by the
Cabinet Committee led by Deb Matthews. It commits to set a five-year target of
reducing poverty by 25% as urged by the "25 in 5" coalition.
To achieve this, it pledges
·
Legislation requiring the government
to report annually on "key indicators of opportunity"- income
levels, school success, health care and housing
·
$1.3B annually (includes a $230M
increase)for the full implementation of the OCB
·
Reiterations of commitments to dental
health, housing and school nutrition programs
·
Investments in a range of social
programs for vulnerable youth
It is worth noting that the bulk of the report
is largely a summary of related provincial initiatives that are not new, and
that its success appears to depend on commitment from the federal level.
The full report is available on the Ontario Poverty Reduction Strategy's
dedicated web site:
http://www.growingstronger.ca/english/default.asp
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Resolution:
#
A08-11, Poverty Reduction Strategy Linked to Healthy Babies
Healthy Children Program Base Funding
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THAT the Association of Local Public Health Agencies urge the Government of Ontario to ensure that the Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction identifies the HBHC Program as a critical intervention in a poverty reduction strategy; AND FURTHER
THAT the Government of Ontario recognize that the HBHC Program provides services that Ontario's families require, particularly low income families, that assist families to overcome the impact of poverty, provide children with a healthy
start in life, and enhance opportunities for life-long success contributing to a strong Ontario economy; AND FURTHER THAT the Government of Ontario provide a significant increase to base funding to cover the full costs of delivery
for all eligible clients for HBHC Programs along with annual increases to maintain service delivery to complement the poverty reduction strategy; AND FURTHER THAT the Association of Local Public Health Agencies utilize the results
of the HBHC alPHa survey conducted with its member boards of health to inform the development of an advocacy strategy focused on funding for the Healthy Babies Healthy Children (HBHC) Program;AND FURTHER THAT the Association of Local
Public Health Agencies work in partnership with other agencies or organizations regarding further advocacy strategies in support of the HBHC program.
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Developments on #A08-11:
July 28,
2010
alPHa met with Minister Laurel Broten to discuss the HBHC.
A summary is available here.
July 21,
2010
Letter written to Minister of Children and Youth Services
outlining difficulties that local public health agencies have had with the
delivery of the HBHC since 2001.
Please
click here to read.
March 23,
2009
Response received from the Premier's Office to the March 4th
letter.
Please
click here to read.
March 4, 2009
Letter written to the Premier, copied to all members of the
Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction, introducing this and three other
poverty-related resolutions passed at the 2008 annual meeting.
Please
click here to read.
January 29,
2009
alPHa and the OPHA have sent a joint letter to the Finance
Minister and the Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction
congratulating them on the release of Breaking the Cycle, Ontario's Poverty
Reduction Strategy and suggesting several policy interventions that should be
included, with specific mention of enhancements to the HBHC program.
Please
click here to read.
Developments on #A05-18:
January 15 2016
alPHa has sent a letter in support of the Ontario Society of Nutrition Professionals
in Public Health (OSNPPH) Position Statement on Responses to Food Insecurity,
which calls for consideration of a basic income guarantee. Includes alPHa Resolutions A15-4 (Basic Income Guarantee) and A05-18 (Adequate Nutrition for works and Ontario Disability Support Program Participants and Low Wage Earners)
March 13, 2009
Letter written to the Premier urging him to add a Healthy Food
Supplement to Ontario's social assistance rates as part of the 2009 Put Food in
the Budget Campaign.
Please click here to read.
February - March 2009
alPHa, in partnership with the 25 in 5 Network for Poverty
Reduction, is engaged in a campaign to "Put Food in the Budget", the
goal of which is to have a $100.00 Healthy Food Supplement added to social
assistance rates, as a down-payment toward closing the widening gap between
social assistance payments and the true cost of the essentials for living,
including healthy foods.
alPHa has provided the following materials in an information package to its
members, encouraging them to use it to inform local efforts (for a summary of these, please click here):
·
PUT
FOOD IN THE BUDGET Media Release (alPHa - Feb 26 2009)
·
Put Food in the Budget Campaign Flyer / Q&A
(Developed by Toronto Public Health)
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PUT FOOD IN THE BUDGET Media Release (Toronto-
Feb 19 2009)
·
ALPHA Nutritious Food Basket Survey - Update
February 2009
·
ALPHA
BRIEFING NOTE (Updated 2009): Equitable Access to Healthy Food for
all Ontarians (includes Nutritious Food Basket Survey FINAL Report Update /
October 23, 2007)
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alPHa
Resolution A05-18 - Adequate Nutrition for Ontario Works and Ontario
Disability Support Program Participants and Low Wage Earners
·
ALPHA RESOLUTION A01-19 - Ontario Works
Allowances and Adequate Nutrition
September 25, 2007
alPHa has sent a letter to the leaders of Ontario's major
political parties to request statements on how they will use the Cost of a
Nutritious Food Basket data, collected by all health units each year, to
determine adequate social assistance and minimum wage rates.
The letter includes alPHa's 2007 survey of health units on their
individual survey results, which clearly illustrates that the cost of healthy
eating has been steadily rising throughout Ontario since at least 2003, with an
average increase of about 3.3% since 2006. Some health units have reported
increases significantly higher than this.
Please click here to read the letter.
April 25, 2007
alPHa has received a reply to the April 12 letter to the Premier.
Please click here to read.
April 12, 2007
alPHa has sent a letter to the Premier of Ontario in support of the Toronto
Board of Health Report, Impact of Poverty on Children's Current and Future
Health, which includes advocacy for the increases described in Resolution
A05-18.
Please click here to read the letter.
Please click here to read theToronto Board of Health
Report, Impact of Poverty on Children's Current and Future Health
April 12, 2007
alPHa has forwarded this Resolution to the Minister of Finance as part of a
response to the measures announced in the March 2007 Ontario Budget.
Please click here to read the letter.
March 19, 2007
The March 19, 2007 federal budget included a $2000 annual tax credit for each
child under 18, which will apply to all families, and result in the further
exemption of approximately 180 000 low-income families from the tax roll.
December 11, 2006
alPHa President Liana Nolan made a presentation to the Minister of Finance
during the 2007 Budget consultation, which included urging specific
consideration of the operative clause of this resolution.
Please click here to read the speaking notes.
May 15, 2006
The final report of the Task Force on Modernizing Income Security for
Working-Age Adults (MISWAA) is released. While it does not make the call for
immediate and substantial increases to social assistance rates and minimum
wage, it makes strong statements about their inadequacy. 14 recommendations are
aimed at the federal and provincial governments to strengthen income security.
Please click here to read the report.
April 5, 2006
Endorsement of alPHa Resolutions A05-18 and A05-19 received from the Ontario College of Family Physicians. Please note that this correspondence was sent to the Federal Minister of Health and the Provincial Ministers of Health, Children and Youth
Services, Health Promotion and Community and Social Services.
Please click here to read.
February 15, 2006
Response received from the Minister of Community and Social Services outlining
the recent changes to Ontario Works and ODSP, explaining the
new restrictions on the Special Diet Allowance and referring to the Review
of Employment Assistance Programs in Ontario Works and Ontario Disability
Support Program.
Please click here to read the response.
February 2, 2006
Response received from the Minister of Labour indicating that increases to the
minimum wage beyond those already planned would require renewed consideration
by the government.
Please click here to read the response.
January
9, 2006
Letter written to Minister of Community and Social Services Sandra Pupatello
and Minister of Labour Steve Peters introducing this resolution.
Please click here to read.
December 1, 2005
alPHa circulated a news release to all of its members for distribution to local
media outlets informing of the passage of this Resolution.
Please click here to read.
November 21, 2005
Please see the
Toronto Board of Health Report calling for immediate increases to social assistance rates. It contains a wealth of statistics that illustrate that the purchasing power of OW recipientshas steadily and significantly declined since 1995.
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Resolution:
#A02-10, Aboriginal Public Health in Ontario
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The operative clause, passed in 2002,of this resolution
recommends and urgently requests that a comprehensive review and consultation
process, to include First Nations representatives, senior federal and
provincial health ministry representatives, municipal government
representatives, alPHa and Boards of Health representatives, be initiated by
the provincial and federal government for the purpose of
1. Clearly determining an Aboriginal Public Health system in and for Ontario First Nation citizens;boriginal Public Health Resource centre;
2. Developing, resourcing and
staffing an Aboriginal Public Health Resource centre;
3. Establishing methods of funding,
reporting and evaluating such systems so as to guarantee the equitable and
quality delivery of all aspects of the Health Protection and Promotion Act
and its Regulations to all First Nation citizens of Ontario while
maintaining fiduciary responsibility of the Federal government in
accordance with the Canadian Constitution (British North American Act) and
Treaty rights of First Nation Citizens.
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Developments on #A02-10:
March 21-22, 2011
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care hosted a
discussion on First Nations Public Health, which included perspectives of local
health units, the Province and First Nations communities, to inform next steps
in a potential strategy.
The day's presentations may be viewed here.
March 17, 2008
alPHa has received a reply from the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs indicating
that the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is working with the federal
government on a First Nations public health framework
and providing a contact for his ADM for a meeting.
Please click here to read.
December
12, 2007
alPHa has written a letter to the new Minister of Aboriginal Affairs to make
him aware of this resolution and some of the progress that has occurred thus
far, and invite further discussion about the role of the new Ministry.
Please click here to read.
October
2007
alPHa is participating in a meeting organized by the
Ontario chiefs of first nations communities on October 25th and 26th to
review public health strategies for their communities.
alPHa is also organizing a day-long session on public health and
First Nations for its annual winter meeting, to be held February 8th 2008.
November 2005
The "Blueprint on Aboriginal Health: A 10-Year Transformative Plan"
was prepared for the Meeting of First Ministers and Leaders of National
Aboriginal Organizations. The governments of Canada, each of the provinces and
territories along with the Canada Assembly of First Nations, Ontario Congress
of Aboriginal Peoples, Québec Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Nova Scotia Métis
National Council and New Brunswick Native Women's Association of Canada
contributed to this plan. Click
here to read the plan.
September 30, 2005
alPHa has received communication from the Chief Medical Officer of Health providing a summary of key findings from a survey of public health stakeholders regarding the development of concrete initiatives on Aboriginal health. Gathered from responses
to a memo she issued in June of 2005, it is anticipated that they will provide focus for needs and priorities as the provincial component of the national Aboriginal Health Blueprint is developed.
Please click here to read the cover letter.
Please click here to read the Summary of
Responses from Public Health Stakeholders.
January 24, 2005
alPHa has sent a letter to Minister of State (Public Health) Carolyn Bennett to
follow up on two resolutions, one of which is specific to the province's role
in providing funding for speech language and audiology programs in general,
with a view to extending them into aboriginal communities. This was used as an
example to inquire about the new federal agency's role in First Nations public
health matters.
Please click here to read the letter.
January 30, 2004
Jo-Anne Miller, Provincial Program Manager, Ontario Aboriginal Health Advocacy
Initiative (OAHAI), gave a presentation titled, Aboriginal Access to Health
Care Systems, at the alPHa 2004 All Members' Meeting. This presentation
discussed the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy, which includes programs
and services ranging from community wellness workers to information
clearinghouses. A discussion was also held about the work done in1994 to
develop the Aboriginal Health Policy to help the Ministry of Health address the
inequities, poor health and poverty of Ontario's Aboriginal people. Based on
principles of holistic health and partnership, the Policy provides for
strategies on health status (healing and wellness programs, health empowerment,
equitable funding), access to services (language, transportation, health worker
recruitment), and planning and representation. Underlying many of these
strategies is the need to respect traditional native approaches and values to
health. To view the presentation click
here.
October 29, 2003
alPHa staff has invited staff of the Ontario Aboriginal Health Advocacy
Initiative to present at the January 29-30, 2004 All members Meeting. The
purpose of this presentation will be to introduce some of the most pressing
public health issues facing Aboriginal, First Nations and Metis people and open
a dialogue with local public health agencies on how they could be addressed.
Read the original
letter of request by clicking here
.
February 7, 2003
Response received from Geoff Kettel at the Public Health Branch (PHB) indicating
that "there are ongoing discussions between the Ministry of Health and
Long-Term Care and Health Canada regarding a coordinated approach to the
delivery of health services for the Aboriginal community".
September 19, 2002
Letter received from Robert Nault, federal Minister of Indian Affairs and
Northern Development, applauding alPHa's efforts in this regard, further
indicating that the mandate to provide such services is held by Minister of
Health Anne McLellan.
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CLOSED ResolutionA13-2, The Healthy
Smiles Ontario Program and the Overall Inequity within the Oral Health Care System
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THAT the Association of Local Public Health Agencies request the Government of Ontario to:
1. Increase the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) income cut-off threshold, which is currently adjusted family net income of $20,000 or less;
2. Remove the ‘no dental insurance’ eligibility criterion from the HSO program;
3. Streamline children’s dental treatment programs to make them more efficient, effective and equitable as recommended in Oral Health – More Than Just Cavities. A Report by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, April 2012;
4. Extend provincial programs to include adults who need and cannot afford emergency dental care.
5. Continue to facilitate the partnerships between local health units and community health centres to assist with the delivery of provincially funded oral health programs;
6. Continue ongoing, stable and indexed 100% provincial funding of the HSO program beyond the sunset date originally announced (Fall 2013);
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Reason for Closure
September 2017
Closed by the alPHa Board following rationale: The Resolution, while it may speak to some unresolved issues, was made in a context whose relevance has declined over time. Examples include responses to specific reports and policy recommendations, bills of the legislature that were not passed, or particular events.
Reason for Closure
September 27 2013
The alPHa Board agrees that the more recent alPHa Resolution, A13-2 The Healthy Smiles Ontario Program
and the Overall Inequity within the Oral Health Care System builds upon or preserves the intent:
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CLOSED Resolution:
#
A08-12,
Provincial Dental Program
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THAT the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) urges
the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Provincial Poverty Reduction
Committee and the Premier of Ontario to immediately implement the dental
program for low income families as promised in the 2008 provincial budget.
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Reason for Closure:
June 12, 2011
Resolution closed by the alPHa Board of Directors, as active
Resolution A10-10 is more aligned with current circumstances on the same topic.
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CLOSED Resolution:
#A05-4, Determinants of Health as a Mandatory Public Health
Program
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THAT the Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa)
request that the Mandatory Health Programs and Services Guidelines be revised
to include the Determinants of Health as a recognized health program and
service area and planning framework for all Ontario boards of health.
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Reason for Closure:
October 30, 2007
The alPHa Advocacy Committee has recommended closure of this Resolution as the
process of replacing the Mandatory Health Programs and Services Guidelines with
the Ontario Public Health Standards nears completion. SDOH is not a stand-alone
program, but references to "vulnerable populations” appear throughout and the
goal of the Foundational Standard is "to achieve effective public health policy
and practices that respond to the evolving social, economic, behavioural,
cultural, as well as physical conditions and factors, which are determinants of
health and well-being.”
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CLOSED
Resolution:
#A01-19, Ontario Works Allowances and
Adequate Nutrition
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The operational clause of this resolution passed in 2001 states thatthe Government of Ontario is urged to review and ensure that the Basic Allowance portion of Ontario Works Financial Assistance allows for adequate nutrition.
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Reason for Closure:
January 11, 2006
The alPHa Advocacy Committee agreed that
Resolution
#A05-18, Adequate Nutrition for Works and Ontario Disability
Support Program Participants and Low Wage Earners adequately accounts for the intent of this one and that any further advocacy would be based on its operative clauses.
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