HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-83-95MHEA- COMM.GJAHE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
REPORT
General Purpose and Administration Committee
Meeting: p File #
Monday, July 10, 1995
Date: Res.
Report #: PD -83 -95 File #: PLN 32.5.3 By -law #,
Subject: CLARINGTON HEALTHY COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
FILE: 32.5.3
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and
Administration Committee recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report PD -83 -95 be received;
2. THAT Council endorse the formation of a Healthy Community
Committee based on the mandate contained in Report PD 83 -95;
and,
3. THAT any interested parties listed in this report be advised
of Council's decision.
1. BACKGROUND
1.1 In November of 1994, Council received a letter from Vernon
Garlick who discussed the formation of a Healthy Community
Committee (see Attachment #1). On January 16, 1995, the
following resolution was passed:
THAT the correspondence dated November 22, 1994
from Vernon Garlick, suggesting that a Healthy
Community committee be formed, made up of residents
from various backgrounds in business, education,
environment government, health, labour etc., to
provide advice and support on Healthy Community
issues to Council, be received.
THAT the initiative put forth by Mr. Garlick to
form a Healthy Community committee be supported by
the Council of the Municipality of Clarington; and,
THAT Mr. Garlick be advised to contact the Director
of Planning and Development to initiate this
endeavour.
599 36
Report No. PD -83 -95 Page 2
1.2 Planning Staff met twice with Vernon Garlick and Susan Larsh
to discuss the formation of a Healthy Community. Mr. Garlick
and Ms. Larsh provided background information which is
contained in Attachment #2. While the health care system is
an integral part of community health, people have come to
recognize that the overall health status of a community is
also related to factors such as access to affordable housing,
nutritious and adequate food, and safe and healthy physical
and social environments.
2. ORGANIZATION OF COMMITTEE
2.1 After discussions it was agreed that the Healthy Community
Committee would be citizen driven, but, would have a link to
Council. It would not supersede or replace any functions or
mandates of any existing citizen or governmental
organizations; rather, it would aim towards a goal of
cooperation and collaboration. The Healthy Community
Committee would directs its own projects, but, would
periodically provide information reports to Council.
3. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
3.1 Committee membership would be composed of approximately 10 -12
volunteers from diverse segments of the community including
health and social service providers, environmental groups, and
business and educational representatives. Council may also
want to consider representation on this Committee.
3.2 Membership terms on the Committee would be staggered through
one, two and three years to maintain continuity. The Healthy
Community Committee chairperson would be appointed by
committee members and rotated on an annual basis.
4. MUNICIPAL INVOLVEMENT
4.1 In addition to the volunteers, the Committee would also have
representation from the Planning Department who would provide
599 37
Report No. PD -83 -95 Page 3
Staff persons to act in an advisory role. The Planning
Department would not provide funding, although, the Committee
has asked the Department if they could occasionally use the
meeting room facilities. Staff believes this to be a
reasonable request. The Healthy Community Committee has also
indicated that they would meet at various locations throughout
the community.
4. MANDATE
4.1 At this point, a partial adhoc steering committee has been
formed consisting of interested citizens Vernon Garlick, Susan
Larsh and Annabel Sissons as well as Staff from the Planning
Department. This committee has developed a preliminary
mandate for the Clarington Healthy Community Committee as
follows:
• to determine community issues, needs, preferences and
priorities in order to enhance the quality of life for
the residents of the Municipality of Clarington;
• to provide advice and support to Council concerning
Healthy Communities issues and /or projects; and,
• to inform and involve the citizens of Clarington through
sub - committees, news releases, newsletters and public
meetings around Healthy Communities ideas and
initiatives.
4.2 Once Council has received this report and officially endorsed
the Healthy Community Committee and its proposed mandate, the
Committee will begin to contact potential Committee members.
After a Committee is formed, some of the potential activities
that it might be engaged include:
• Building links and networks between groups and
institutions at the local level who are presently
involved in activities and projects which address Healthy
Communities issues.
• Developing an inventory of initiatives currently underway
which might benefit from a Healthy Community approach.
X 9 9' 38
Report No. PD -83 -95 Page 4
• Identifying future issues which might be addressed as
part of a Healthy Community initiative.
• Performing a public education role regarding
environmental, social, economic issues.
• Undertaking a process of community participation to:
1. develop a vision of a healthy Clarington;
2. determine projects to be implemented;
3. determine what is compatible with the reality of
financial and human services;
4. explore alternatives to meet expressed needs; and,
5. identify strategies for positive and fair response
to identified needs.
• Preparing a detailed report for presentation to Council
on the group's findings.
5. CONCLUSION
5.1 It is expected that funding for this process would be received
from the Ontario Healthy Communities Secretariat which offers
$500 in one -time community meeting support to "enable
communities to initiate, extend, or renew a local healthy
community coalition." In order to pursue this option, it is
necessary for the Healthy Community Committee to have a
Council resolution supporting the formation of a Committee.
Respectfully submitted,
.3
IN
Franklin Wu, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.
Director of Planning
and Development
TH *RH *FW *km
27 June 1995
Reviewed by,
W.H. Stockwell
Chief Administrative
Officer
Attachment #1: Letter from Vernon Garlick
Attachment #2: Background Report
599 39
Report No. PD -83 -95 Page 5
Interested parties to be notified of Council and Committee's
decision:
Ms. Susan Larsh
Facilitator
Durham Region
Ontario Healthy Communities Secretariat
20 Rosalynne Avenue
Bowmanville, Ontario
L1C 3X8
Mr. V. V.(Vern) Garlick
460 Mayfair Ave.
Townhouse 120
Oshawa, Ontario
L1G 2Y2
MEMO
ATTACHMENT #1
COUNCIL DIRECTION
D -11
NOV 2 4 1994
VERNON Lt
MUNICIPALI -FY OF CLAR1,14GTON
MAYOR'S OFFICE
460 Mayfair Ave., TH 120, Oshawa, Ontario, L1G 2Y2
Voice or Fax Telephone: (905) 725 -1728
November 22, 1994 AGENDA
-Mayor Diane Hamre f
Councillor Larry Hannah
Anne Dreslinski
John O'Toole
Municipality of Clarington
40 Temperance Street
Bowmannvil.le, Ontario
L1C 3A6
Re: Healthy Communities
j Tv awl
xt'M
d
Congratulations on your election victory, and best regards as you
face another three years of new challenges and opportunities.
I am writing to bring to your attention the Healthy Communities
concept, and to seek your advice as to how to introduce the
Healthy Communities approach into Durham, at both the area and
regional levels of municipal government.
Dr. Trevor Hancock, a leading public health physician and
consultant to the World Health Organization, has, since the early
1980's, been advocating that municipalities consider the health
of their citizens in their planning and urban development
process. By 1993, more than one thousand communities from all
over the world were participating in the Healthy Communities
movement.
An Ontario Healthy Communities Secretariat has. been set up in
Toronto by the Ministry of Health to promote and assist the
development of Healthy Communities across the province. They can
be reached at•1- 800 - 766 -3418. Their contact in Durham is Sue
Larsh at 905 - 623 -8814.
As a retired business executive now living in Oshawa, with
interests in health, social and environmental issues, I believe
that the Healthy Communities approach is an excellent vehicle to
bring together diverse interests to work towards making your
municipality a healthy place for people to live, work, and play.
599 41 2
Page 2
Mayor Diane Hamre
Councillors Hannah, Dreslinski, and O'Toole
Municipality of Clarington
Re: Healthy Communities-
I also believe that such an approach could be used to great
advantage in providing good government to your constituents.
After all, what is more important than health?
I suggest that a Healthy Community committee be set up, made up
of residents from various backgrounds in business, education,
environment, government, health, labour,, etc., to provide advice
and support on Healthy Community issues to your Council. The
overall goal would be to make health a consideration in all
municipal policy decisions.
This need not be an expensive exercise. Develbping.a Healthy
Community often does not require the provision of more services.,
but rather a change in the way.a community makes decisions which
affect health and well being.
My interest in Healthy Communities is as a volunteer community
activist. Since moving from Toronto to Durham in 1988, I*have
been active in volunteer work as a member of Durham Region Waste
Management Public Liaison Committee, Bowmanville Museum Board,
Memorial Hospital - Bowmanville Board, and Durham Region District
Health Council. At the present time, I am a member of Durham
Region Community Care Association Board, Oshawa Community Care
Advisory Committee, Oshawa General Hospital Finance Committee,
and Durham Environmental Network.
A Healthy Community means different things-to different people.
There seems to be, however, an intuitive recognition that health
is influenced more by our physical and social environments at
home, at work, and at play, than by the intervention of the
health care system.
At a Healthy.Community Forum, which I attended in Toronto in:
1992, participants from Durham, Peel, York, and Metro were
divided into small groups and asked to draw a picture of our "idea
of a Healthy Community. The similarity among the groups was
striking; with the following elements included in most of the
pictures:
trees
parks
recreation center
recycling
clean water
mixed housing
harmony with natural
clean air
schools
streets for
safe streets
sports
shops
environment
bicycle paths
town square
feet co -op gardens
clean work places
entertainment
natural green space
599 42 ... 3
ATTACHMENT #
RETORT of the
Ad hoc Steering Committee
Clarington "Healthy Communities" Committee
Submitted to: Municipality of Clarington Planning Department
Submitted by: Susan Larsh
Vern Garlick
Annabel 5issono
Introduction
On January 16, 1995, the Council of the Municipality of Clarington passed the
following resolution:
"THAT the correspondence dated November 22, 1994 from Vernon Garlick,
Suggesting that a Healthy Community committee be formed, made up of
residents from various background in busincoo, education, environment
government, health, labour etc., to provide advice and Support on Healthy
Community looues to Council, be received;
THAT the initiative put forth by Mr. Garlick to form a Healthy Community
committee be Supported by the Council of the Municipality of Clarington; and
THAT Mr. Garlick be advised to contact the Director of Planning and
Development to initiate this endeavour."
Ao a result, an ad hoc steering committee was formed consisting of interested
citizens Vernon Garlick, Susan Laroh and Annabel 5isoons together with planning staff
of the Municipality of Clarington Planning Department. This committee has developed a
preliminary mandate for the Clarington Healthy Communities Committee ao follows:
• to determine community issues, needs, preferences and priorities in order to
enhance the duality of life for the residents of the Municipality of Clarington
• to provide advice and support to Council concerning Healthy Communities issues
and/or projects
• to inform and involve the citizens of Clarington through subcommittees, news
releases, newsletters and public meetings around Healthy Communities ideas and
initiatives
Establishment of a Clarington Healthy Communities Committee
Imagine living in a community where everyone seniors, youth, business, labour,
local government, community groups, churches -- works together to create a better
and healthier place to live, work, and play. It is possible, but it does take time and
commitment to the process. A Healthy Communities process.
The ad hoc steering committee io presently developing a search plan for
committee membership aimed at including as many sectors and diversity ao possible.
At this time, the Clarington Healthy Communities Committee io seen as a citizen-
driven, volunteer committee which io autonomous from council. It would ideally be
599 43
compooed of 1012 people who come from ao many Communitieo in Clarington and from
ao many 5ectoro and experienced a5 p000ible. Terms would be otaggered through one,
two, and three years to maintain continuity. The committee chair would be appointed
by ito membero and rotated on an annual baoio. Meetingo would be held at variouo
locationo throughout the municipality. Repreoentation from Clarington 5taff would
aooume advisory pooitiono only. The Committee will not ouperoede or replace any
functiono or mandateo of any existing citizen or governmental organizations; rather it
will aim towardo oharing information and collaboration. The Committee would direct its
own projecto.
After the Clarington Healthy Communitieo Committee reaches conoenoud on !to
phil000phy and mandate, !to activitieo might include:
• building linko and networko between groupo and inotitutiono at the local level who
are preoently involved in activitieo and projecto which addreoo Healthy
Communitieo iooueo
• developing an inventory of initiativeo currently underway which might benefit from
a Healthy Community approach
• identifying future iooueo which might be addreooed ao part of a Healthy
Community initiative
• performing a public education role regarding environmental, oocial, economic etc.
iooueo
• undertaking a proceoo of community participation to:
1. develop a vioion of a Healthy Clarington
2. determine projects to be implemented
3. determine what io compatible with the reality of financial and human
services
4. explore alternativeo to meet expreooed needo
5. identify otrategieo for pooitive and fair reoponoe to identified needs
• preparing a detailed report for preoentation to Council on the group's firndingo
It io expected that funding for this process would be received from the Ontario Healthy
Communitieo Secretariat which offero $500 in one-time Community Meeting Support
to "enable communities to initiate, extend, or renew a local healthy community
coalition ". (oee Appendix 1)
Background
Fubliohed in 1974, the "Lalonde Report: A New Feropective on the Health of
Canadiano" wao perhapo the first significant government document to ouggeot that
health care oerviceo are not the moot important factor in determining our health.
Since then, oeveral highly rxopected reporto and committeeo (oee Appendix II) have
oupported and otrengthened this conviction. Emphaoio hao been placed on health
promotion, the involvement of many oectoro, community development and healthy public
policy. Healthy Communitieo offero a proceoo to implement their valuable
recommendationo. Increaoingly, we have come to recognize that factoro ouch ao
acceos to affordable houoing, opportunitieo for employment, the availability of
adequate and nutritiouo food, and oafe and healthy phyoical and oocial environmento
X99 44
are a5 important in determining the overall health otatuo of a community ao ito health
care oyotem.
Ecology hao taught uo that everything io connected to everything eloe.
Traditionally, iooueo have been addreooed in a vertical faohion, and departmento and
oectoro have been oet up accordingly (oiloo). Thio hao not been effective. The
realization that a decioion made in one area will impact in many othero leado to a ohift
in focuo in decioion- making to a more broad-baoed, holiotic, "ecooyotem" approach.
Internationally, there are now over 1000 Healthy City /Community initiativeo.
But, we can take pride in the fact that thio international movement wao "Born in
Canada ". Healthy Communitieo hao ito rooto in a conference held in Toronto in 1984
called Beyond Health Care.
In Canada, there are very active Healthy Communitieo networko in Pritioh
Columbia and Quebec due to continuing provincial oupport. Ontario'o Miniotry of Health
hao recently funded the eotabliohment of an Ontario Healthy Communitieo 5ecretariat
to oupport the development of the movement, and the initial prognooio io very
encouraging. Exioting Healthy Communitieo initiativeo in Communitieo ouch ao
Peterborough, Toronto, Ottawa /Carleton and 5udbury have been otrengthened, and
Communitieo including l3rampton, North Pay, 5ault 5te. Marie, Blind River,
Kapuokaoing, Rayoide-Palfour and Northumberland County are now uoing a Healthy
Communitieo approach for a variety of projects and activities.
Important Strategic Elements
Healthy Communitieo io a health promotion approach founded on three main ideao:
1. Community Participation:
There io no oingle recipe for a healthy community. A healthy community meano
different thingo to different people. Each community io encouraged to develop ito own
approach and goal(o) for thio proceoo. Community membero and repreoentativeo of
variouo oectoro work together to prioritize local iooueo and challengeo; and in oo doing,
develop "ownerohip" of the proceoo.
2. Cr000- oectoral Involvement:
Drawing from our ecological learningo of everything being connected to everything Moe,
Healthy Communitieo acknowledgeo the reality that co- operation acr000 the oectoro io
neceooary for health promoting change to occur. The iooueo with which we are faced in
the '90'o are horizontal -- they are interrelated and cut acr000 juriodictiono and
diociplineo. It io not logical to work in ioolation on an iooue when in fact there are
many other contributing factoro.
3. Local Government Commitment:
The diotinguiohing feature of Healthy Communitieo from other health promotion
projecto in the community io that it involveo, or oeeko to involve, local government.
Thio io rooted in the underotanding of the hiotorical importance of local governmento
(who have a omaller bureaucracy and clooer linko to their community) in eotabliohing
3599 45
conditions for health, and a firm belief that they can and muot play a leading role in
health promotion and in improving community conditions for health and wellbeing.
Healthy Public Policy
An important facet of Healthy Communitieo io the belief that in order to
develop a community which to both healthy and health - promoting, it io necessary to
create policies at the local level which promote and enhance health. Health io
promoted by engaging in what Nancy Milio Gallo "Healthy Public Policy" -- which io
striving to make health a consideration in all policy decisions. In this way, factors
ouch ao housing, employment, transportation, recreation and leioure opportunities, and
waste management become "health" looueo.
In information oeooiono held throughout the province, when asked to reflect on
"What does a healthy community mean to you ?" Ontariano have responded with
qualitieo ouch ao:
committed and caring
buildirido with integrated function
people are rooted & oecure in who they are
promotes & developo a sense of belonging
environmentally ouotainable
active, productive, involved
mixed housing
accepts diversity
sharing and friendly
clean, vibrant, buoy
safe
happy
empowered
loco of green space, treed
flexible
people are working, preferably clooe to home
active volunteero
Community. Y, Environment
HEALTH
Equitable 5u5tainable
Economy
At a graoorooto level, people seem to know intuitively that these "determinanto of
health" have a great impact on our health and the viability of our communitieo.
Ao a council, you are to be commended on your support of thio initiative, and
together we will work to build a healthy, prooperouo Clarington.
4 599 46
-1 Mori-
Appendix I
Community Meeting Support
The OHCC provides up to $500 in one time support to enable communities to hold events or
meetings to initiate, extend or renew a local healthy community coalition. The money can be used.
to cover the costs associated with one or more meetings, including travel costs, meeting room
costs, refreshments, resource materials. The meeting will include a presentation/workshop /
information session on Healthy Communities by a Community Animator.
Any community group or organization can apply by writing us a one page letter with the following
information:
1. The name of your group and the name, address and phone number of the contact person, your
community and local municipality.
2. Groups or organisations which will be attending the event(s) meeting(s).
3. Date(s) of the event(s) or meeting(s).
4. A goal and desired outcomes, a time -line and budget are requested.
5. The proposal should meet or be working to meet the following Healthy Communities criteria:
• Is the proposal involving multi- sectoral activities and /or multiple sector participants?
• Does it involve the area District Health Council and municipal partners /politicians?
• Does the meeting /activity have a community focus?
• Does the meeting involve public consultation/participation?
• Have you indicated ways to obtain and /or share resources with others?
6. The incorporated organisation which will receive the funds on your behalf, and will be
responsible for them. **
7. If your group has been operating as a Healthy Community Committee or Network Member,
please indicate how this event extends or renews your efforts.
The Coalition will require a financial report. Original invoices of expenses must be supplied; ask
the vendor for duplicates if you need originals for your files. A one page report will be required to
tell us how the event /meeting went, what happened and your plans for the next steps.
"IMPORTANT NOTE: Unincorporated community organizations submitting proposals will be
asked to seek an incorporated organisation to receive the funds. If they are unable to do so, the R
Coalition will assist the group to find another option, for example,the local office of a provincial
association or service organisations.
Bureau provincial des Communautes en sante 599 4 7 Ontario Healthy Communities Secretariat
415, rue Yonge, bureau 1202 1202 -415 Yonge Street
Toronto, Ontario, M5B 3E7 e -mail: info@ope.on.ca Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2E7
telephone /telephone: (416) 408 -4841 toll free /sans frais: 1- 800 -766 -3418 fax/telecopier: (416) 408 -4843
W /I' /
Evans, John R. (Chair) (1987) "Toward a Shared direction for Health in Ontario"
Report of the Ontario Health Review Farrel, June.
Health and Welfare Canada (19M) Achieving Health for All: A Framework for Health
Promotion. Ottawa.
Lalonde, Ivl. (1974) A New Perspective on the Health of Canadians. Ottawa:
Government of Canada.
Min!otry of Health (1995) Wellness and Long -Term Care (A Draft Framework) Folicy
branch, Long -Term Care D!v!s!on, Toronto.
Ontario Fublic Health Association (1994) Determinants of Health. Toronto,
Ontario Taok Force on the Frimary Frevention of Cancer (1995) Recommendations for
the Frimary Frevention of Cancer, Toronto,
Fodborski, Steve (Chair) (1957) "Health Fromotion Matters in Ontario" A Report of
the Minister's Advioory Group on Health Fromotion.
Fremier's Council on Health, Wellbeing, and 50c!al Just!ce (1994) Youro, Mine and
Ours: Ontario's Children and Youth, Toronto.
Fremier'o Council on Health Strategy (!991) "Towards a Strategic Framework for
Optimizing Health: 1987 - 1991 ".
Fremier's Council on Health Strategy (1991) Nurturing Health: A Framework on the
Determinants of Health
5paooff, Robert (Chair) (1957) Health for all Ontario. Report of the Farrel on Health
Goals for Ontario.
The World Health Organization (19M) The Ottawa Charter for Health Fromotion
Copenhagen, WHO Europe.
599 48