PHSSC

That Report PHD 8-2023, dated October 10, 2023, respecting Food Affordability in Niagara: Results of the 2023 Nutritious Food Basket Survey Information, BE RECEIVED and the following recommendations BE APPROVED: 1. That Regional Council, as the Board of Health, ACKNOWLEDGE food insecurity as an income problem requiring income solutions; and 2. That Regional Council, as the Board of Health, BE DIRECTED to send a letter to the federal and provincial governments, advocating for the implementation of evidence-based policy solutions to reduce food insecurity including: increasing social assistance rates, increasing minimum wage to a living wage, and implementing a study of a basic income guarantee project in Niagara to reduce poverty in a sustainable way.

That Report PHD 7-2023, dated October 10, 2023, respecting Workplace Violence Strategy - Mitigating the Impact of Increased Violence to Niagara Emergency Medical Services First Responders, BE RECEIVED and the following recommendation BE APPROVED: 1. That the Regional Chair, on behalf of Regional Council, BE DIRECTED to send follow-up correspondence to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada to communicate Council’s request that the Criminal Code of Canada be amended to provide protection for first responders and to make violence against first responders an indictable criminal offence.

That Report COM 35-2023, dated October 10, 2023, respecting Social Assistance and Employment Opportunities (SAEO) Contract Extension Approval, BE RECEIVED and the following recommendations BE APPROVED: 1. That the current contract with 2045162 Ontario Limited o/a Clark Marketing Communications (Clark), for a sector specific technology solution, used to support the delivery of Social Assistance and additional benefits for low-income individuals and families in Niagara, BE EXTENDED under the same terms and conditions to December 31, 2026, for total estimated cost of $605,137.80, including 13% HST; and 2. That the Regional Chair and Regional Clerk BE AUTHORIZED to execute the contract extension which would increase the awarded value of the contract to be over the $1,000,000.00 ($1,484,169.11) single source threshold and any required documents related hereto in a form satisfactory to the Director of Legal and Court Services.

WHEREAS, Niagara Region recognizes the social and economic challenges faced by its residents that have a detrimental impact on the determinants of health, including income inequality, poverty, inadequate housing, and precarious employment; WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of Niagara Region to strive for the well- being and prosperity of all its residents, which includes ensuring access to basic needs and opportunities to improve health; WHEREAS, through addressing poverty and improving access to healthcare, a Universal Basic Income can potentially reduce healthcare costs, enabling people to afford preventive care and timely treatments while preventing more costly healthcare interventions, leading to better overall population health; WHEREAS, a Universal Basic Income program was tested in Hamilton during the Ontario Basic Income Pilot project between 2017 and 2019 and more than 1,000 local residents reported positive outcomes, including the alleviation of food and housing insecurity, improved physical and mental health, financial stability, social equity and greater connection to the labour market; WHEREAS, Niagara Regional Council passed a motion on July 14, 2020, calling upon the federal and provincial governments to prioritize measures to reduce poverty and income inequality in our society; WHEREAS, Niagara Regional Council passed a motion on July 14, 2020, recommending that the federal and provincial governments re-engage in pilot projects to study policy innovations that

That Report COM 36-2023, dated October 10, 2023, respecting Temporary Emergency Shelter Operations - St. Catharines, BE RECEIVED for information.

1. That Correspondence Item CWCD 2023-172, dated September 7, 2023, respecting Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit Correspondence to The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier of Ontario and Minister of Health Re: Bill 103, Smoke-Free Ontario Amendment Act (Vaping is not for Kids), 2023, BE RECEIVED for information; 2. That Regional Council as the Board of Health for Niagara Region ENDORSE stronger vaping restrictions such as those included in Bill 103 Smoke Free Ontario Amendment Act (Vaping is not for Kids), 2023; and 3. The Regional Chair BE DIRECTED to communicate this endorsement by writing to the Minister of Health, the Associate Minister of Mental Health & Addictions, the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Niagara Members of Provincial Parliament, and Ontario Boards of Health.