PHSSC

1. That Regional Council SUPPORT the extension of the Alternate Funding Plan (AFP) currently provided to the network of primary care physicians across Hamilton (Shelter Health Network) to REACH Niagara which would allow local physicians and specialists through REACH to provide ongoing, compassionate and accessible care to the marginalized across the Region as well as supporting the necessary infrastructure to continue expansion into all of Niagara; 2. That the Regional Chair BE DIRECTED to send a letter to the Ministry of Health, supporting the request by REACH Niagara for an extension of the Alternate Funding Plan; and 3. That the motion BE CIRCULATED to the local area MPPs.

That the following delegations BE PERMITTED to appear before the Public Health and Social Services Committee: Angie Domengato, as an individual delegate, respecting the effects of the lockdown on residents in senior care homes as well as the general public; Cheryl Frame, as an individual delegate, respecting the impacts on health due to the mask mandate; Danielle Romanuk, as an individual delegate, respecting Councillor Rigby’s motion; and Steffannie Hancharyk, as an individual delegate, respecting public shaming and public health due to the mask mandate.

That Report PHD 8-2020, dated October 13, 2020, respecting Occupational Therapists Request for Niagara Emergency Medical Services (NEMS), BE RECEIVED and the following recommendation BE APPROVED: 1. That Regional Council APPROVE the addition of two new full time permanent Occupational Therapist positions, using already-approved funding in the Niagara Emergency Medical Services operating budget.

That Correspondence Item PHD-C 9-2020, being a memorandum from A.- M. Norio, Regional Clerk, dated October 13, 2020, respecting Referral of Motion – Decriminalization of Personal Possession of Illicit Drugs, BE RECEIVED for information.

WHEREAS governments around the world are considering different approaches to drugs, including the decriminalization of drug use and possession and legal regulation; WHEREAS a growing number of health officials and boards of health throughout Ontario, Canada, and around the world are calling for changes to our approach to drugs, especially in the midst of the opioid crisis and COVID-19 pandemic, in which the contaminated, unregulated supply of illegal drugs is the main contributor to the crisis; WHEREAS, in July 2020, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police released a report recognizing substance use disorder as a public health issue and agree that evidence, supported by numerous Canadian health leaders, suggests that decriminalization for simple possession is an effective way to reduce the public health and public safety harms associated with substance use; WHEREAS the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police endorse alternatives to criminal sanctions for simple possession of illicit drugs, and agree that increased community capacity and resources are necessary to support the availability and integration of health, social programs, and enforcement required for effective diversion; WHEREAS the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police agree that police services remain committed to combatting organized crime and disrupting the supply of harmful substances coming into our communities by targeting drug trafficking and illegal production and importation, and further agree that

WHEREAS it is prudent and necessary for Niagara Regional Council to remain regularly apprised of the status of the need to continue with the mandatory Face Covering By-law; and WHEREAS it is our desire as a Region to effectively learn how to live with the COVID-19 Virus safely; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: 1. That the Region of Niagara Public Health Department PROVIDE an information report at each Public Health and Social Services Committee meeting providing data that would demonstrate if Niagara Region should or should not continue the enactment of the Mandatory Face Covering By-law (By-law 2020-46); and Public Health and Social Services Committee Open Session Minutes PHSSC 9-2020 October 13, 2020 Page 9 2. That the report INCLUDE evidence from Provincial, Federal and International Health Agencies.

That the following items BE RECEIVED for information: PHD-C 10-2020 COVID-19 Response and Business Continuity in Public Health & Emergency Services COM-C 29-2020 COVID-19 Response and Business Continuity in Community Services COM 19-2020 Update on Community Based Capital Program and Early Years Capital Program Projects PHD-C 11-2020 Decriminalization of Personal Possession of Illicit Drugs CWCD 268-2020 Opioid Update Memo

That Confidential Correspondence Item COM-C 30-2020, being a memorandum from A.-M. Norio, Regional Clerk, dated October 13, 2020, respecting A Matter of a Proposed or Pending Acquisition or Disposition of Land by the Municipality - Niagara Regional Housing Acquisition of Property in the City of Niagara Falls (Confidential Report NRH 12-2020), BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.