Community and Health Services Committee Minutes

Tuesday, April 08, 2025 at 3:00 P.m. - 4:00 P.m.

Council Chambers

Members Present:

• D. Craig, 
• J. Erb, 
• S. Foxton, 
• M. Harris, 
• C. Huinink, 
• C. James, 
• J. Liggett, 
• D. McCabe, 
• J. Nowak, 
• M. Rodrigues, 
• N. Salonen, 
• S. Shantz, 
• B. Vrbanovic, 
• K. Williams, 
• and P. Wolf 

Members Absent:

• K. Redman 

Should you require an alternative format or a copy of the official minutes please contact the Regional Clerk at Tel.: [phone], TTY: 519-575-4605, or

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1.

Call to Order

Chair J. Erb called the meeting to order at 2:57 p.m.

2.

Land Acknowledgement

Chair J. Erb provided a land acknowledgement.

M. Rodrigues joined the meeting at 2:58 PM. ()

J. Liggett joined the meeting at 2:59 PM. ()

3.

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest under the “Municipal Conflict of Interest Act”

None declared.

4.

Presentations

4.1

2024 Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Sustainable Communities Award to Tristan Wilkin, Judy Maan Miedema, and Brad Pick for the 420 Kingscourt Dr. in Waterloo Improvements

The Committee recognized the Regional Staff award winners for receiving the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Sustainable Communities Award for 420 Kingscourt Drive in Waterloo. The Waterloo Region Housing (WRH) build, 420 Kingscourt is the first net-zero community housing build. It features energy-efficient design elements as well as tenant amenity spaces to foster a sense of community. As part of the WRH Revitalization Plan, the regional team that led the project aimed to reduce overall carbon emissions. The Region of Waterloo is committed to transforming the way we build and operate our spaces. This includes making new affordable housing energy efficient and prioritizing net zero carbon builds.

7.

Regular Agenda

7.1

Strategic Priority - Equitable Services and Opportunities

7.1.1

PHP-HPE-25-001, 2024 Food Safety Program Report

Aldo Franco, Director of Health Protection and Healthy Environments, introduced the report and Marla Rocca, Manager of Health Protection and Healthy Environments. He highlighted that with the continued community growth there have been increased inspection and service demands that require Staff inspect locations on a priority basis. M. Rocca  provided a presentation on the Food Safety Program. A copy of the presentation is attached to the agenda. She provided background information on what locations are inspected regularly, such as food and child care centers, and what are the primary investigations, such as outbreak management and communicable diseases. The objective of the food safety program is to prevent and reduce the burden of food-borne illness through inspections, investigations, complaint responses, and education and training. She further highlighted that due to population growth and increased demands for food inspections the lower priority inspections may be delayed in order to address higher risk cases.

In response to the Committee, M. Rocca explained that food trucks are included in inspections and that the type of food and its type of packaging affect the potential risk level. The preparedness of the food affects the risk level as there is increased potential for contamination. She further explained that a certified food handler must be on site and that education and training is vital. Public Health provides information on how to become certified and where to access training. The level of risk is also increased if the food is being prepared for vulnerable persons such as at a childcare center or a long term care facility.  

The Committee noted the importance of food inspections including for home businesses. The Committee further noted that Staff explore avenues to identify efficiencies. Responding to the Committee, Staff explained that the need for inspections could be reduced through pre-packaged items at special events and increased and improved education.

In response to the Committee, M. Rocca confirmed that there are thirty public health inspectors which is not enough to allow for each health complaint to be investigated, so Staff must prioritize high risk complaints. She further confirmed that lower risk sites do receive a minimum inspection of once a year.

The Committee expressed concern that there may not be an adequate number of Staff to address health complaints and that Council may have to include inspector capacity in the next budget considerations.

Received for information.

6.

Consent Agenda

Item 6.1.1. was removed from the consent agenda.

6.1

Strategic Priority - Homes for All

6.1.1

CSD-HOU-25-004, Property Tax Exemption for Affordable Housing Program Update

In response to the Committee, Ryan Pettipiere, Director Housing Services, confirmed that the tax exemption is legislated and does not cost the tax payer money, but rather defers potential tax revenue. He further confirmed that the Municipal Capital Facilities Housing program has provincial requirements that do not consider retirement homes or long term care facilities as affordable housing and therefore they are ineligible for the tax exemption. 

Responding to the Committee, R. Pettipiere explained that Staff are exploring the possibility of condominium buildings to be eligible for the property tax exemption. Prior to condominium owners becoming eligible Staff want to ensure that they are good partners and are interested in affordable housing to protect against the possibility of renovictions. 

He further explained that there have been similar municipal programs to the affordable housing program such as the City of Toronto, City of Ottawa, City of Hamilton, and the County of Wellington. These municipalities have encountered a similar issue where the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) has determined that households within a tax-exempt property are not eligible for the Ontario Trillium Benefit (OTB). Staff are recommended advocating to the province for tenants to receive the trillium benefit while accessing this exemption. He noted that if the CRA does not permit the OTB to be used in conjunction with the property tax exemption that Staff would assist low income households in seeking other grant and support opportunities to limit the affect on tenants.

S. Shantz provided a note of feedback to Staff that the property tax exemption was considered to be imposing on the property operations by an organization.

Responding to the Committee, R. Pettipiere confirmed that the City of Cambridge, the City of Kitchener, and the City of Waterloo have all agreed to the property tax exemption.

M. Harris left the meeting at 3:46 PM. ()

• Moved by N. Salonen
  Seconded by D. McCabe

  That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo approve the proposed housekeeping amendments to the Property Tax Exemption for Affordable Housing Program as detailed in Appendix A and as outlined in report CSD-HOU-25-004, dated April 8, 2025.

  That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo request to the Province of Ontario and the Canadian Revenue Agency to change the eligibility requirements for the Ontario Trillium Benefit to allow for tenants in property-tax exempt housing deemed affordable by a municipality or other government body to remain eligible for the Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit, as outlined in report CSD-HOU-25-004, dated April 8, 2025.

  In Favor (14)

  B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, J. Nowak, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, K. Williams, and M. Rodrigues

  Carried (14 to 0)

5.

Delegations

5.1

Michael Parkinson, Waterloo Region Drug Action Team

Michael Parkinson, Waterloo Region Drug Action Team, expressed concern with the closure of the consumption and treatment services sites due to the negative impact on the community. He further expressed support for the proposed motion under item 9.1 in order to advocate to the province to reopen consumption and treatment services sites.

D. McCabe joined the meeting at 3:03 PM. ()

C. Huinink left the meeting at 3:48 PM. ()

C. Huinink joined the meeting at 3:48 PM. ()

5.2

Lindsay Sprague and Violet Umanetz, Sanguen Health Centre

Lindsay Sprague, Director of Community Programs, and Violet Umanetz, Director of Consumption & Treatment Services, from the Sanguen Health Centre, expressed support for the motion provided by Councillor P. Wolf under item 9.1. They explained that continued Regional support and advocacy for consumption and treatment services (CTS) is essential to continue to serve the community. The current CTS site has had over 60,000 visits since 2019 including life-saving interventions, mental health referrals, and addiction treatments. These treatments have alleviated pressures on emergency services and have prevented drug-related fatalities.

L. Sprague expressed concern that there is a false narrative related to treatment and harm reduction and that both approaches should be used together. V. Umanetz further expressed concern about how the CTS closure will have a negative impact on the community and that the closure was exclusively based on legislative and financial impediments. She requested Committee support as there is an urgent need to reopen the CTS sites.  

5.3

Alaina Klassen, Woodstock

Alaina Klassen provided a lived-experience account as a registered nurse of how important the CTS site was for community members to access social and medical supports. She noted that this will likely negatively impact emergency services as there will be increased need for care. She expressed concern that the closure is due to stigma. She expressed support for the motion provided by Councillor P. Wolf under item 9.1.

5.4

Ralph Schmidt, Kitchener

Ralph Schmidt provided a lived-experience account of using the consumption and treatment services site that has assisted many community members in providing both medical and social supports. He stated that the site has saved his life as well as the lives of his friends. In his view, the presence of the CTS site has had a positive impact on the community overall. 

5.5

Kevin White, Kitchener

Kevin White expressed support for reopening the CTS sites and noted the value of the site. He further expressed support for the motion provided by Councillor P. Wolf listed under item 9.1. He requested that Council make public statements to raise awareness of the importance of CTS sites. He further noted that drug use cannot be properly addressed through stigma and criminalization.

5.6

Keith Rivers, Citizens for Cambridge

Keith Rivers, Citizens for Cambridge, expressed support for the proposed motion listed under 9.1. He supports the motion due to the positive impacts on the community overall. The positive impact includes minimizing the utilization of emergency services as Staff at CTS sites are prepared to provide medical efficient care. 

5.7

K. Murphy, Waterloo

K. Murphy, also known as Kat Gibbs, expressed support for the local CTS site and the positive impact that these services provide the community. She also highlighted the hypocrisy of access to some drugs, such as alcohol, but not safe access to other types of drugs. She expressed concern for abstinence only programs and the overall harm it will do to a vulnerable community. 

J. Nowak left the meeting at 4:22 PM. ()

8.

Information/Correspondence

Additional correspondence was received on April 8, 2025 in support of Councillor P. Wolf's motion under item 9.1. and are attached to the minutes.

8.1

Council/Committee Tracking List

No requests were received.

8.2

Correspondence - David Hopkins

Received for information.

9.

Motions Where Notice Has Been Provided

9.1

Councillor P. Wolf Motion, Re: Consumption and Treatment Services

Councillor P. Wolf presented her motion related to consumption and treatment services and the closure of the sites locally. She expressed concern that the provincial government has operated in a manner that is not in the best interest of the community and allegedly in opposition to the injunction. She requested that the Committee consider the potential negative impact on the community and their support to advocate to the province ion order to continue to operate CTS sites. She also expressed concern that there has and will be increased mortality rates and costs to the community including to emergency services.

The Committee acknowledged the importance of the messages expressed by the delegations.

In response to the Committee, Fiona McCrea, Regional Solicitor and Director of Legal Services, explained that the courts cannot reverse legislation, however, the courts can determine if the legislation is constitutional in terms of whether it contravenes the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. If the Courts were to determine that the legislation was in contravention of the Charter then it would be deemed to be inoperable. Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Commissioner Public Health & Paramedic Services and Medical Officer of Health, further explained that the provincial government has said that the funding for HART Hub would be withdrawn if organizations attempt to continue CTS operations. The provincial government is currently proposing funding that would be four times the amount provided previously for CTS sites. Additionally, the provincial funding for HART Hubs are provided directly to the Waterloo HART Hub including community organizations. She also noted that the Region of Waterloo does not have a role in funding health services as that is a provincial responsibility; therefore both CTS and HART Hub sites should be provincially funded. The total cost of these health services is $1.2 million and if the Region were to take on the cost of these health services it would be very difficult to reverse the funding back to a provincial responsibility.

The Committee discussed and deliberated the motion including the necessity of supporting vulnerable individuals as well as the potential repercussions on the provincial funding for the HART Hub. The Committee noted that the province needs to increase their support in community and health services and that the Committee expressed support for having both a CTS site and HART Hub.

Responding to the Committee, F. McCrea and Dr. H. Wang confirmed that the provincial funding is discretionary and that they have stated that municipalities and boards are not permitted to support or advocate for CTS sites unless approved by the Minister of Health. Dr. H. Wang also confirmed that Regional Council has circulated a letter advocating to the province requesting that CTS sites remain open in September 2024 after which time the province legislatively restricted advocating for CTS sites. F. McCrea noted that minister approval is common legislative language and it seems clear that the minister would not approve authorizing the Region to advocate on behalf of CTS sites.

P. Wolf expressed frustration with the provincially legislated process that would limit advocacy and undemocratic practices.

Following Committee debate it was determined that Council requires further information including the relevant legislation and a legal opinion, specifically on Council's rights, related to the motion and so the Committee considered a motion to refer the motion to Regional Council on April 23, 2025.

• Moved by P. Wolf
  Seconded by C. James

  WHEREAS the Ontario Superior Court has issued an injunction on Section 2 of the Community Care and Recovery Act, allowing Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) sites to remain operational for 30 days beyond a Charter judgment;

  AND WHEREAS the Province of Ontario has indicated it will not support the court injunction granting a suspension of CTS closures in Kitchener, Guelph, and other locations;

  AND WHEREAS Waterloo Region’s only CTS site, located in Kitchener, is critical to saving lives and reducing harm among vulnerable constituents, as acknowledged by the court’s recognition of the high risk of death and injury to CTS clients should the site close;

  AND WHEREAS there has been no visible community or institutional support for eliminating CTS services from local councils, advisory committees, schools, churches, health professionals, business owners, or CTS clients;

  AND WHEREAS Section 3 of the Community Care and Recovery Act prohibits municipal support for consumption services without approval from the Ontario Minister of Health;

  THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

  1. Regional Council formally requests that the Province of Ontario provide immediate funding and support to ensure continued operation of the Kitchener CTS site during the injunction period, in compliance with the court’s decision.
  2. Regional Council further requests that the Province grant approval under Section 3 of the Community Care and Recovery Act to allow the Regional Municipality of Waterloo to support and maintain CTS operations beyond the injunction period if necessary.
  3. Regional Council directs staff to communicate this motion urgently to:
  1. The Ontario Minister of Health,
  2. Local Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs),
  3. The Waterloo Region Drug Action Team,
  4. Relevant stakeholders advocating for harm reduction services.
  4. Regional Council commits to working collaboratively with provincial authorities and community partners to ensure no disruption in life-saving services provided by CTS during this critical time.
• Moved by B. Vrbanovic
  Seconded by N. Salonen

  That the Regional Municipality of Waterloo defer the motion discussed under item 9.1 to April 23, 2025

  In Favor (10)	B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, and K. Williams
  Opposed (3)	D. McCabe, C. Huinink, and M. Rodrigues

  Carried (10 to 3)

10.

Other Business

None.

11.

Next Meeting - May 6, 2025

The next Community and Health Services meeting will be May 6, 2025.

12.

Adjourn

• Moved by S. Foxton
  Seconded by D. McCabe

  That the meeting adjourn at 5:06 p.m.

  In Favor (13)

  B. Vrbanovic, J. Erb, S. Shantz, S. Foxton, D. McCabe, J. Liggett, D. Craig, P. Wolf, C. James, N. Salonen, C. Huinink, K. Williams, and M. Rodrigues

  Carried (13 to 0)