Minutes
of the September 21, 2022
MANITOULIN-SUDBURY DSB BOARD MEETING
Present: Arthur Hayden, David Santi, Paul Schoppmann, Richard Stephens, Kevin Burke, Michael Levesque, Jim Rook, David Ham, Bruce Killah, Richard Malette, Vern Gorham and Ted Lovelace
Regrets: Jill Beer and Ken Duplessis
Staff: Donna Stewart, Lori Clark, Connie Morphet, Paul Myre, Melody Ouellette
1.0 CALL TO ORDER
Bruce Killah, called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
2.0 DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
3.0 Closed Session
Resolution 22-70
Moved by: David Santi
Seconded by: Vern Gorham
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board move into closed session at 10:00 a.m.
Carried
Resolution 22-71
Moved by: David Ham
Seconded by: Art Hayden
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board adjourn this closed session at 10:30 a.m. and move to the regular Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB Board meeting.
Carried
Draft Minutes
of the September 21, 2022
MANITOULIN-SUDBURY DSB BOARD MEETING
Present: Arthur Hayden, David Santi, Paul Schoppmann, Richard Stephens, Kevin Burke, Michael Levesque, Jim Rook, David Ham, Bruce Killah, Richard Malette, Vern Gorham and Ted Lovelace
Regrets: Jill Beer and Ken Duplessis
Staff: Donna Stewart, Lori Clark, Connie Morphet, Joshua Parkinson, Paul Myre, Melody Ouellette and Kristin McFarlane
Media: Michael Erskine, The Manitoulin Expositor
1.0 Chair, Bruce Killah, called the meeting to order at 10:33 a.m.
2.0 Land Acknowledgement
We begin this meeting by acknowledging that we are all on land that has been inhabited by Anishnawbek Nations for 10’s of thousands of years.
We’d like to acknowledge that we are here in the Robinson-Huron Treaty territory and the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek and we would like to give thanks for sharing this land in order for us to continue in our work.
Today, this meeting place is still the home to many Anishnabek nations from across Turtle Island and we are grateful to have the opportunity to unite, live, work and play on this land.
3.0 Business Arising from Closed Session
During its Closed Session, the Board discussed Legal and Human Resources issues.
4.0 Adoption of Agenda
Resolution No. 22-72
Moved by: Richard Malette
Seconded by: Mike Levesque
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Agenda be adopted.
Carried
5.0 Declarations of Conflict of Interest
There were no declarations of conflict of interest.
6.0 Adoption of Minutes
Resolution No. 22-73
Moved by: Jim Rook
Seconded by: Kevin Burke
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Minutes of the June 15, 2022, Board meeting be approved as presented.
Carried
7.0 Committee Meetings
7.1 Human Resources
The Human Resources Committee met September 19, 2022. David Santi, Acting Chair of the Committee provided the Board with an update on items discussed at the meeting.
7.1.1 New Policy
Paul Myre, Chief of Paramedic Services, walked the board through the revised
Human Resources Policy C.5.08 COVID-19 Vaccinations.
We have revised our policy to fall in line with the government’s approach and the
Chief Medical Officer.
The policy will continue to be revised as the pandemic changes course.
Resolution No. 22-74
Moved by: Edgar Lovelace
Seconded by: David Santi
WHEREAS the Human Resources Committee has reviewed the revised Human
Resources Policy C.5.08 COVID-19 Vaccinations.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB accepts the Human Resources Committees recommendation and approves the revised Human Resources Policy C. 5.08 COVID-19 Vaccinations effective August 1,
2022.
Carried
7.2 Program Planning Committee
The Program Planning Committee met September 20, 2022. Kevin Burke, Chair of the Committee provided the Board with an update on items discussed at the meeting.
7.2.1 Quality Assurance
Lori Clark, Director of Integrated Human Services, walked the Board through the Child Care Quality Assurance – Issue Report.
The DSB provides funding and program support to 17 Child Care Programs and 4 EarlyON Centres with extensive outreach throughout the jurisdiction.
Over the last several years we have been assessing program quality across our District.
Quality Assurance is currently being contracted to Our Children Our Future. Staff have determined targeted support is needed. Particularly after the challenges experienced in the sector because of COVID-19.
Staff are recommending the Finance Committee review the financial impact of providing support directly during the 2023 budget process.
Resolution No. 22-75
Moved by: Kevin Burke
Seconded by: David Ham
WHEREAS the Program Planning Committee has reviewed the Quality Assurance
- Issue Report and is recommending approval of the Board.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB accepts the Program Planning Committees recommendation and approves the Quality Assurance - Issue Report and the recommendation to bring to the Finance Committee to review the financial impact during the 2023 budget process.
Carried
7.2.2 Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC)
Lori Clark, Director of Integrated Human Services, walked the Board through the
Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care – Issue Report, the new F.11.1
CWELCC Policy and the revised F.5.2 Rates and Care Codes Policy.
As shared with you in April, the Government of Ontario signed the CWELCC Agreement. The agreement will lower fees for parents and provide more accessible and high-quality child care for families.
Following the ministry communication on April 12th regarding the implementation of the CWELCC System and release of guidelines, the ministry updated the Guidelines (“CWELCC Guidelines”) on August 17, 2022. The updated guidelines provide clarity and further assist service system managers and service providers with implementing the CWELCC System across the province.
Ontario’s plan will deliver $10 per day child care, on average, by 2025.
All licensed programs serving children under the age of six in Ontario are eligible to apply to participate in the CWELCC System through their Service System Manager.
We are very pleased to confirm that the majority of service providers in our district have opted-in to the system and service contracts have been ratified for those who are now enrolled.
Service providers enrolled have agreed to drop their rates effective October 1st, 2022, to ensure consistency of rates across the district and for ease of reconciliation.
Staff will continue to prioritize affordability, access, quality and inclusion. We will continue to provide ongoing updates to the Board as we move forward with implementation.
As a result of implementation of the new Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care System and Service System Funding Guidelines the DSB has developed a new policy F.11.1 is intended to provide overarching direction to support the implementation of the CWELCC System. The information in the policy supports the commitment of the DSB to ensure that the CWELCC System is planned and implemented in accordance with the CWELCC System Service Agreement and Guidelines through a process that is fair, accountable, and transparent.
Policy F.5.2 (Rates & Care Codes) has been revised to include the implementation of the CWELCC System for fee reduction. The policy includes eligibility criteria under the CWELCC System (under 6 years old) and subsequent rate charts for both CWELCC Rates and the existing Universal Rates.
This policy is intended to clearly outline the cost to families enrolled or who wish to enroll their children in child care in the DSB District. It includes the rates up to 2025 when we will achieve the average of $10 per day child care fees for eligible children.
While this is great news for parents who require child care, waitlists have begun and providers are struggling with recruitment and retention.
Resolution No. 22-76
Moved by: David Ham
Seconded by: Richard Malette
WHEREAS the Program Planning Committee has reviewed the Canada-Wide
Early Learning and Child Care System – Issue Report and;
WHEREAS the Program Planning Committee has reviewed the new F.11.1
CWELCC Policy and the revised F.5.2 Rates and Care Codes Policy.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB accepts the
Program Planning Committees recommendation and approves the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care System – Issue Report.
FUTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB accepts the Program Planning Committees recommendation and approves the new F.11.1 CWELCC Policy and the revised F.5.2 Rates and Care Codes Policy effective April 1, 2022.
Carried
8.0 New Business
8.1 2022 Second Quarter CAO Activity Report
Donna Stewart, CAO, walked the board through the 2022 CAO Second Quarter Report.This report will be shared with member municipalities who are encouraged to add it to Council agenda packages.
Resolution No. 22-77
Moved by: Richard Malette
Seconded by: Jim Rook
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the 2022 CAO Second Quarter Activity Report be approved as presented.
Carried
8.2 2022 Second Quarter Unaudited Financial Report
Connie Morphet, Director of Finance & Administration, walked the Board through the 2022 Second Quarter Unaudited Financial Report, which is forecasting a year- end surplus of $228,373.
Resolution No. 22-78
Moved by: Edgar Lovelace
Seconded by: Vern Gorham
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the 2022 Second Quarter Unaudited Financial Report be approved as presented.
Carried
8.3 Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Lori Clark, Director of Integrated Human Services, walked the Board through the updates from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
In May of this year, we shared our Investment Plan for Social Services Relief phase 5, in your package you will see that our plan was approved on August 3rd. Our allocation is $500,000 and will be used to support the new build in Little
Current.
We also shared our investment plan in May for 2022-23 COCHI and OPHI, in your package you will find confirmation of the approval of this plan as well.
As a reminder the investment plan proposed to to use the COCHI funding of $347,763 less administration for two projects prioritized in the Building Condition Assessment which was shared with the Board in October 2020.
Balcony repairs and Main Electrical Service Distribution replacement at 66 Robinson Street in Little Current for a total of $148,398 and the projects at 76 Wellington Street in Manitowaning for a total of $181, 977.
The investment plan proposed to use the OPHI capital funding of $207,700 less administration to support the new build in Little Current to create long-term affordable housing for seniors.
8.4 Ministry of Education
Lori Clark, Director of Integrated Human Services, gave the Board a brief update on the health and safety measures in child care.
Child Care Service Providers received a memo from the Ministry of Education on August 16, 2022, regarding upcoming health and safety measures in child care as we approach the start of a new school year.
On the advice of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health current health and safety requirements remain unchanged.
Highlights of the memo include the:
o Recommendation that staff, providers, children and visitors continue to self- screen before attending children care;
o Follow public health guidance, individuals should stay home if they are feeling ill;
o That appropriate hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette should continue to be promoted; and
Service Providers are to continue to monitor absence rates and follow guidance provided by local health authority.
An additional memo was sent to Child Care Service Providers on August 31, 2022 regarding screening tools for immunocompromised and non-immunocompromised children.
Updates to the screening tool implement the revisions to guidance from the Ministry of Health based on evolving evidence for COVID-19, as well as considerations for other respiratory and gastrointestinal illness that are likely to circulate over the coming months.
8.5 Ministry of Health
Paul Myre, Chief of Paramedic Services walked the Board through the 2022 Land
Ambulance Services Grant and the One-Time Community Paramedicine Funding.
Earlier this month, the DSB received our 2022 Land Ambulance Services Grant (LASG) Funding Letter. In it, The Minister of Health has informed that the Manitoulin-Sudbury DSB will receive a total maximum base funding $10,267,776. This amount includes $454,687 in additional base funding from the 2021 amount due to the increase of the 2021 budget over the 2020 budget. The Ministry calculates the funding using the prior year and adding an incremental increase which is 0% for 2022.
The Paramedic Service has once again received one-time funding of $250,000 to continue supporting patients requiring high intensity supports in the community.
The High Intensity Supports at Home program helps patients with high care needs transition from a hospital back to their home or community setting with the right supports, also known as alternate level of care patients.
This program provides integrated, team-based care where multiple types of services are wrapped around the patient. Our Community Paramedic Team has been an important supplement to community-based services as a capacity enhancer working alongside home and community care, primary care and other services, to offset reduced bed capacity in hospitals and long-term care homes.
With this funding, our Community Paramedics will ensure high needs patients continue to receive timely, high quality, and safe care at home and in other community-based settings when beds are in short supply.
8.6 Wiikwemkoong Financial Statements
Connie Morphet, Director of Finance and Administration, walked the Board through the Wiikwemkoong Financial Statements.
The Wiikwemkoong Ambulance Service is administered by the Manitoulin-Sudbury
District Services Board on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
The financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2022, for this Ambulance
Service were audited during the summer months and reported to MOHLTC.
The total expenses of $2,254,430 were within budget and are 100% funded by the
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Resolution No. 22-79
Moved by: Jim Rook
Seconded by: Mike Levesque
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Wiikwemkoong Financial Statements approved as presented.
Carried
8.7 Child Care Worker & Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day
Lori Clark, Director of Integrated Human Services, discussed the importance of the
Child Care Worker & Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day.
Tuesday, October 18th, 2022, is the 22nd annual Child Care Worker and Early
Childhood Educator Appreciation Day.
This day recognizes the commitment, hard work and dedication of Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) and staff who work with young children. This year’s Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day theme is Worth MORE!.
Appreciation Day will be especially important as we work toward a Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care system that includes decent work and pay for ECEs and Child Care Workers.
While new federal commitments are beginning to bring more affordable child care to families, our work must continue to ensure that we solve the child care workforce crisis and truly value the work of ECEs and child care workers.
We know that to expand the child care system to serve more families and to improve the quality of child care for young children, decent work and pay for child care workers are essential. ECEs’ working conditions are children’s learning conditions.
Each year the day is proclaimed by municipalities and school boards across
Ontario and marked in hundreds of child care centres.
The contributions that ECEs and child care workers make every day in our communities is amazing and we want them to be recognized for it!
We are asking that the Board recognize October 18th, 2022, as the 22nd annual “Child Care Worker & Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day” in recognition of the education, dedication and commitment of child care workers to children, their families and quality of life of the community.
Resolution No. 22-80
Moved by: Richard Stephens
Seconded by: Art Hayden
WHEREAS years of research confirms the experiences children have in the early years have an extraordinary impact on children’s intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development and later life outcomes; and
WHEREAS quality Child Care and EarlyON experiences promote the well-being of children and respond to the needs of parents, Child Care workers and the broader community by supporting quality of life so that citizens can fully participate in and contribute to the economic and social life of their community; and
WHEREAS many studies show trained and knowledgeable Early Childhood Educators and early years staff are the most important element in quality Child Care and EarlyON programs;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT October 18, 2022 be designated the 22nd annual “Child Care Worker & Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day” in recognition of the education, dedication, and commitment of Child Care workers to children, their families and quality of life of the community.
Carried
8.8 TWOMO Election
Donna Stewart, CAO, updated the Board on the Declaration of Acclamation to Office and the transition period following the election.
Board packages included a Declaration of Acclamation to Office to which the CAO declared the certified candidates to be acclaimed to the DSB as members representing territory without municipal organization. Those members are:
• Bruce Killah
• David Santi
• Denise Portelance-Godin
During the period following the election and prior to the beginning of the new Term of Office (January 1), the existing Board continues to govern. However, some restrictions to the Board’s actions will apply. The following activities should not be undertaken by the Board during this period:
• appointment or removal from office of any member of the board;
• hiring or dismissal of any employee of the board;
• disposition of any real or personal property of the DSSAB which had a value exceeding $50,000 when it was acquired by the DSSAB (unless the disposition was included in the most recent budget adopted by the DSSAB before nomination day);
• making any expenditures or incurring any other liability which exceeds $50,000 (unless the liability was included in the most recent budget adopted by the DSSAB before nomination day), excluding normal day to day business expenditures e.g. Ontario Works.
8.9 Videoconferencing Pods
Lori Clark, Director of Integrated Human Services updated the Board on the Videoconferencing Pods.
In April 2021, staff shared with the board our Social Services Relief Fund #3 plan, part of this plan included working with local libraries to create a location for a soundproof pod to allow the vulnerable population to have access to video conferencing for medical appointment or appointments with social services agencies (i.e. for access to food, housing, employment supports etc.).
The intention was that the pods and video equipment would be operated by the library themselves. The total for this initiative was $100,000.
The first Pod has opened in Espanola at the Espanola Public Library, there is a link to a media release in your agenda as well as photos of the pods in both Espanola and Little Current. The first three photos are of Espanola, the remaining photos are of the Little Current pod.
We were unable to secure a library location for Sudbury East and North, the pod in Sudbury East is located with Alpha En Partage, we have a longstanding partnership with Alpha and anticipate this pod will help better serve clients and community members when it is complete early this fall.
In Sudbury North we elected to install a Pod in the DSB office, it is in the final stages of completion and will also help better serve clients and community members.
8.10 Canadian Mental Health Association
Lori Clark, Director of Integrated Human Services, walked the Board through the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Year End Report.
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the Housing Case Management partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association in the LaCloche and Manitoulin districts for April 2021 – March 2022.
Resolution No. 22-81
Moved by: Mike Levesque
Seconded by: Paul Schoppmann
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Manitoulin- Sudbury DSB approve the Canadian Mental Health Association Year End Report as presented.
Carried
8.11 Association of Municipalities Ontario
Lori Clark, Director of Integrated Human Services, gave the Board a brief update on correspondence received from the Association of Municipalities Ontario (AMO).
Staff were copied on a letter from AMO to The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Minister of Health on August 30th, 2022.
The purpose of the letter was to request a government-to-government conversation on how to work together to increase the integration of policy development and service planning between the Ministry of Health, human service ministries, municipal government, and District Social Service Administration Boards.
Issues include the housing crisis, homelessness, mental health and addictions, poverty and overcoming barriers to gaining and maintaining employment as well as the successful integration of inmates discharged from correction facilities.
A ‘whole’ of government approach is needed to address these issues, with increased integration of provincial, municipal, health and human services much can be accomplished.
Staff will share additional information regarding the outcome of this request as it becomes available.
Staff also were copied on a letter to the Honourable Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing with a link a document outlining recommendations about rental housing.
AMO stressed that a specific ‘made-in-Ontario’ strategy to both increase and
preserve purpose-built rental needs to be part of the province’s housing plan.
Home ownership is important, however for many, rental housing is the only viable option. Supply is scarce in most communities, and available units are often unaffordable for moderate and low- income people.
New rental housing, especially affordable units, needs to be built, and existing stock must be preserved.
9.0 Other Business
Association of Municipalities Ontario Conference
Bruce Killah, Chair, gave the Board un update on the MSDSB Delegations at the AMO Conference.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
The DSB met with Associate Minister Michael Parsa.
We requested additional capital funding for the creation of Affordable Housing with MMAH support to mitigate pressure on Hospitals and Long-Term Care. We also informed them of our new build and that it took pooling different resources to actually make it a reality for us. Funding continues to be an issue for the DSB.
Ministry Of Health
The DSB met with Parliamentary Assistant Robin Martin to discuss the following:
1. Non-Urgent Patient Transfer
o Fully fund non-urgent medical transport services in an equitable manner across Northern Ontario
o Eliminate health sector dependence on Paramedic service for the transportation of non-urgent patients
o Ensure health sector compliance with legislation surrounding use of land ambulance resources for movement of interfacility patients
2. Access to Equity to Paramedic Services
o Bridge access equity gaps in Northeastern Ontario particularly for
Manitoulin Island and French River areas.
o Invest in capital revitalization projects for Northern Paramedic Services
Stations.
10.0 Next Meeting – October 19, 2022
11.0 Adjournment
Resolution No. 22-82
Moved by: Richard M
Seconded by: Vern Gorham
BE IT RESOLVED THAT we do now adjourn at 11:35 am. until the next regular meeting to be held on October 19, 2022.
Carried
Original Approved by Board Chair - Bruce Killah
Original Approved by CAO - Donna Stewart
