PHSSC

That Report PHD 4-2026, dated April 14, 2026, respecting Public Health 2026 Annual Service Plan and Budget Submission, BE RECEIVED and the following recommendation BE APPROVED: 1. That the Board of Health (BOH) APPROVE the Public Health 2026 Annual Service Plan and Budget Submission (ASP) to the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) for a total gross budget of $42,133,884, inclusive of two (2) one-time funding requests totalling $131,000.

That Report COM 8-2026, dated April 14, 2026, respecting Supportive Housing Strategy Implementation Plan, BE RECEIVED and the following recommendation BE APPROVED: 1. That the recommended financial modeling scenario outlined in Appendix 1 to Report COM 8-2026 BE ENDORSED subject to the Niagara Region’s annual budget approval process.

That Report COM 7-2026, dated April 14, 2026, respecting St. Catharines Emergency Shelter Funding, BE RECEIVED and the following recommendations BE APPROVED: 1. That the transfer of $2,000,000 in funding from the Capital Variance Project - Levy to Niagara Regional Housing (NRH) for the St. Catharines Emergency Shelter project BE APPROVED; and 2. That this report BE FORWARDED to Niagara Regional Housing Board of Directors for information at its next scheduled meeting.

WHEREAS St. Catharines continues to face ongoing challenges related to homelessness, particularly during the winter months when exposure to extreme cold presents serious risks to health and safety; WHEREAS during the winter of 2025–2026, an emergency overnight shelter space was established at St. George’s Church in response to Cold Weather Alerts, providing critical refuge for individuals experiencing homelessness; WHEREAS the utilization of the emergency shelter at St. George’s Church throughout the winter demonstrated a clear and sustained demand for overnight shelter capacity beyond what is currently available in the community; WHEREAS reliance on temporary, short-notice emergency responses during Cold Weather Alerts is not a substitute for a planned, stable, and adequately resourced seasonal shelter program; WHEREAS it is understood that shelter beds are not the best solution, but merely a ‘band aid’ stopgap while Niagara Region embarks on the construction of appropriate Supportive and Highly Supportive housing options; WHEREAS the provision of emergency shelter and homelessness services is the responsibility of Niagara Region as the designated service manager; Public Health and Social Services Committee Open Session Minutes PHSSC 4-2026 April 14, 2026 Page 5 WHEREAS there is value in proactively identifying seasonal shelter options to ensure continuity of care, improved coordination, and better outcomes for vulnerable residents. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: 1. That Coun

That Memorandum PHD-C 7-2026, dated April 14, 2026, respecting Efficiencies in Emergency Medical Services , BE RECEIVED for information.

That Memorandum PHD-C 8-2026, dated April 14, 2026, respecting Health Systems Planning Report, BE RECEIVED for information.

That the motion BE AMENDED as follows: That Report COM 9-2026, dated April 14, 2026, respecting Welcoming Streets Initiative – Funding Information Request, BE RECEIVED; and That staff BE DIRECTED to reallocate one-time gapping dollars (up to $120,000) to support the program until December 31, 2026, and encumber appropriate funds to support the program until the 2027 Budget is approved. The Committee Chair called the vote on the motion as amended.

That the following BE RECEIVED for information: PHD-C 9-2026 Public Health and Emergency Services Highlight Video COM-C 14-2026 Councillor Information Request Regarding Bill 74 (Missing Persons Amendment Act)