Revised Agenda YORK REGIONAL COUNCIL

June 25, 2020 Immediately following YTN Telecom Network Inc. Shareholder Meeting Electronic Meeting

Quorum: 11

Page No.

A. Call to Order

B. Disclosures of Interest

C. Minutes of Council

C.1 Council Meeting held on May 28, 2020 1

C.2 Special Council Meeting held on June 11, 2020 9

C.3 Special Council Education Session held on June 18, 2020

D. Presentations

D.1 Corporate Update #2 – York Region Response to COVID-19 Bruce Macgregor, Chief Administrative Officer

E. Deputations in Writing (Subject to Council granting deputant status.) None

F. Communications

F.1 Housing Supply Update Memorandum from Paul Freeman, Chief Planner dated June 23, 2020 Recommendation: Receive Revised Agenda - Regional Council - June 25, 2020

F.2 Proposed Amendment 1 to A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and Proposed Land Needs Assessment Methodology for the Greater Golden Horseshoe Memorandum from Paul Freeman, Chief Planner dated June 23, 2020 Recommendation: Receive

F.3 Participating in Local Community Improvement Plans as a Means to Deliver COVID-19 Small Business Support Memorandum from Paul Freeman, Chief Planner dated June 23, 2020 Recommendation: Receive

F.4 The Regional Municipality of York receives 15 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Awards Memorandum from Dino Basso, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Katherine Chislett, Commissioner of Community and Health Services dated June 25, 2020 Recommendation: Receive

F.5 Thermal Temperature Screening at Regional Facilities Memorandum from Bruce Macgregor, Chief Administrative Officer dated June 25, 2020 See Item G.1 (Committee of the Whole Item J.1)

G. Consideration and Adoption of Reports

G.1 Committee of the Whole Meeting - June 11, 2020 11

G.2 Audit Committee - June 10, 2020 33

G.3 Conmar Developments Inc. and Fenlands Vaughan Inc. – 35 Development Charge Deferral Request - City of Vaughan Report dated June 15, 2020 from the Commissioner of Finance recommending that: 1. Council consider the request from the City of Vaughan to negotiate a deferral of Regional development charges for the development located at 11110 Jane Street owned by Conmar Developments Inc. & Fenlands Vaughan Inc. (“the Revised Agenda - Regional Council - June 25, 2020

Applicant”) on similar terms to those agreed to by the City of Vaughan. 2. Should Council agree to grant the deferral request, the Chief Administrative Office and Commissioner of Finance, be authorized to execute a Development Charge Deferral Agreement with the Applicant in a form satisfactory to the Deputy Regional Solicitor.

G.4 York Region Transit Protection of Transit Riders and Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic Report dated June 22, 2020 from the Commissioner of Transportation Services recommending that: 1. Council endorse the purchase of 100,000 non-medical, individually wrapped, disposable face masks at a cost of $59,000, excluding HST, to be distributed to customers not having their own mask when entering the York Region Transit system; July 2, 2020. 2. Council approve Transit Bylaw amendments to include a mandatory requirement for individuals to wear a non- medical face mask or covering while on transit vehicles or property, effective July 2, 2020.

G.5 Human Resourcing Requirements for the Public Health COVID-19 Response Report dated June 22, 2020 from the Commissioner of Community and Health Services and the Medical Officer of Health recommending that: 1. Council authorize the Commissioner, Community and Health Services and the Medical Officer of Health to increase the staffing complement in Public Health by eight permanent full time staff. 2. Council authorize the Commissioner of Community and Health Services and Medical Officer of Health to increase staffing complement with temporary full time staff, as required, to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Revised Agenda - Regional Council - June 25, 2020

H. Introduction and Consideration of Bylaws

H.1 2020-36 - Construction of the West Vaughan Sewage Servicing 45 Project To acquire certain lands for or in connection with the construction of the West Vaughan Sewage Servicing Project, City of Vaughan

H.2 2020-37 - Close a Portion of Bathurst Street 49 A bylaw to stop up and close a portion of Bathurst Street (YR 38), Township of King

H.3 2020-38 - Establish a Public Highway – Dufferin Street 51 A bylaw to establish a public highway

H.4 2020-39 - Amendment to Transit Bylaw 53 A bylaw to amend Bylaw No. 2017-7 being a bylaw to regulate the use of public transit vehicles and facilities in The Regional Municipality of York

I. Motions

J. Notices of Motion to Reconsider

K. Other Business

K.1 Regional Council Resolution - Federation of Canadian Municipalities - Big Cities Mayors' Caucus Expansion

L. Private Session

L.1 Disposition of Matters Under the Purchasing Bylaw 2019 Annual Report - Litigation and Solicitor-Client Privilege

L.2 Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension Update - Potential Litigation and Solicitor-Client Privilege

L.3 Verbal Update - York Region Transit Service Contract with Transdev Services (Canada) Inc. - Labour Relations Revised Agenda - Regional Council - June 25, 2020

M. Confirmatory Bylaw 55 Introduction of Bylaw 2020-40 to confirm the proceedings of Council at this meeting

N. Adjournment

Revised Agenda - Regional Council - June 25, 2020

Minutes YORK REGIONAL COUNCIL Education Session

June 18, 2020 Electronic Meeting

Members: W. Emmerson, M. Bevilacqua, J. DiPaola, M. Ferri, R. Grossi, V. Hackson, D. Hamilton, J. Heath, L. Jackson, J. Li, T. Mrakas, S. Pellegrini, C. Perrelli, M. Quirk, G. Rosati, F. Scarpitti, J. Taylor, T. Vegh

Staff: D. Basso, K. Chislett, P. Freeman, P. Jankowski, D. Kuzmyk, B. Macgregor, L. Mirabella, C. Raynor, M.F. Turner ______

A. Call to Order

Regional Chair Emmerson called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.

B. Disclosures of Interest

None

C. Presentations

C.1 Diversity Dialogue

Moved by Mayor Scarpitti Seconded by Mayor Taylor

That Council receive the presentations by Shernett Martin, Charlene Grant, Natalie Rizzo, Josie Rose, Claudette Rutherford and Cheryl Yarde on behalf of a number of community organizations and refer them to staff.

Carried

D. Confirmatory Bylaw

1 Minutes - Regional Council Education Session - June 18, 2020

Moved by Mayor Bevilacqua Seconded by Regional Councillor Hamilton

That Council enact Bylaw No. 2020-35 to confirm the proceedings of this meeting of Council held on June 18, 2020.

Carried

E. Adjournment

The Council meeting adjourned at 11:17 a.m.

Regional Clerk

Minutes confirmed and adopted at the meeting of Council held on June 25, 2020.

Regional Chair

2 Office of the Chief Planner Corporate Services Department MEMORANDUM

To: Regional Chair Emmerson and Members of Regional Council

From: Paul Freeman Chief Planner

Date: June 23, 2020

Re: Housing Supply Update

On June 11, 2020 Committee of the Whole requested additional information on the Status of the Region’s Housing Supply

Following the Planning and Economic Development Update presentation and discussion regarding population growth rates and Development Charge collection, staff was requested to report to Council with an update on the status of the Region’s current housing supply.

In this regard, attachments to this memorandum include the following information:

• Location of Draft Approved units, and Registered unbuilt units by local municipality (with age of draft approval or registration noted)

• Breakdown of housing supply units by type (single detached, semi-detached, townhouse and apartment units)

• Additional units available to each municipality based on existing water and wastewater infrastructure capacity The Region currently has a housing supply of approximately 26,900 draft approved units and almost 5,000 registered unbuilt units across all nine local municipalities

Based on best available data to May 2020, the Region has a housing supply of an estimated 31,833 units, comprised of 4,939 registered unbuilt units, and an additional 26,894 draft approved units; this represents a supply of over 4 years of growth. The data, as outlined in Attachment 1, identifies the supply of all unit types both draft approved and registered unbuilt. All nine local municipalities contribute to this supply as noted in the table included as Attachment 1. The capital expenditures and debt financing costs to service these units have been assumed by the Region but up to $1.58 billion in Development Charges remain outstanding given the planning status.

Maps provided in Attachment 2 identify the location of registered and draft approved units for each local municipality and summarize the unit contribution by housing type. Housing supply is fluid with new units coming on line as units are built and sold

The Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) has noted when previously reporting housing supply numbers that some units are not available, as they are currently sold. Staff acknowledge this to be the case but note that data regarding availability to the market (i.e. sold or not) is not readily available to staff. Further, housing supply is fluid with new units coming on line as other are consumed by the market. The result, even with servicing delays, has been a relatively consistent supply as is evident by the summary of housing supply reports provided in Figure 1. Figure 1 Housing Supply of Registered and Draft Approved Units

50,000

40,000

30,000

Units 20,000

10,000

0 2016 2018 2019 2020

Ground-Related Apartments

Note: 2020 data includes registered unbuilt and draft approved, whereas previous years were based on registered unoccupied and draft approved.

Part of the reduction in reported 2020 supply is a result of a modified calculation process to remove built units, however some of those units may not be occupied and/or sold and therefore still contributing to supply; in these instances, Development Changes have been collected as the Building Permit has been issued. To assist the Region in maintaining current housing supply data, we will continue to work with local municipalities to submit their building permit data and advise of local development approvals in a consistent and timely manner.

2 There are more than 50,000 units subject to planning applications ready to create additional supply as approvals are obtained

Through YorkTrax, staff confirm there are more than 50,000 units currently subject to planning applications. As these applications move through the development approvals process, they replenish the supply taken up by the market. These units subject to planning applications equate to more than a six year supply of additional growth. Together, the registered unbuilt and draft approved units and units currently under planning applications provide for more than 10 years of growth. The recent approval of new community area secondary plans positions the Region well for the next phase of greenfield developments and housing supply

The following secondary plans have recently been approved for new communities within the Town of East Gwillimbury and the Cities of Vaughan and Markham.

• Green Lane Secondary Plan (Town of East Gwillimbury)

• Block 27 and Block 41 Secondary Plans (City of Vaughan)

• Berczy Glen and Robinson Glen Secondary Plans (City of Markham)

While staff continue to await Provincial approval of the Upper York Sewage Solutions to advance significant growth in East Gwillimbury and northern York Region, approval of secondary plans in the new community areas of Vaughan and Markham are key milestones in accommodating the next round of greenfield development.

Regional water and wastewater infrastructure is in place to service growth in the City of Markham new community secondary plan areas. Within the City of Vaughan, new community growth of approximately 10,000 persons can be accommodated before additional water and wastewater infrastructure is required. In that regard, Council is considering a Prepaid Development Charge Credit Agreement with the Block 27 Developer Group to advance timing of servicing for this Block from 2028 in the Ten Year Capital plan to Q4 2025. While development of both of these areas will require transportation improvements, the required projects are included in the 10-year Roads and Transit Capital Construction Program and are progressing. These new community areas should provide additional greenfield housing supply over the short and medium term.

Paul Freeman, MCIP, RPP Chief Planner

3 Bruce Macgregor Chief Administrative Officer

Attachments (2) YORK-#11069469

4 ATTACHMENT 1

Semi-Detached Townhouse Apartment Single Units Total Units Units Units

Aurora 469 0 59 32 560

East Gwillimbury 385 70 476 10 941

Georgina 1,592 12 94 33 1731

King 307 0 218 0 525

Markham 1,713 142 2,917 4,544 9,316

Newmarket 13 18 192 0 223

Draft Approved Richmond Hill 2,189 145 2,297 1,758 6,389

Vaughan 541 62 1,379 3,140 5,122

Whitchurch-Stouffville 1,129 76 523 359 2,087

Total 8,338 525 8,155 9,876 26,894

Aurora 82 0 0 0 82

East Gwillimbury 1140 80 265 0 1485

Georgina 466 0 49 0 515

King 37 0 0 0 37

Markham 230 132 786 214 1,362

Newmarket 38 0 62 0 100 Registered Richmond Hill 44 2 222 200 468

Vaughan 150 3 137 117 406

Whitchurch-Stouffville 214 0 269 0 483

TOTAL 2,401 217 1,790 531 4,939

TOTAL 10,739 742 9,945 10,407 31,833 Town of Aurora | Available Residential Supply SubjectArea

18th Sideroad St John's Sideroad Remaining Servicing Capacity 7,647 People7,647 Ï' Ô' Units*2,549 *Estim atebased onpeople 3 ×' perunit

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Office of the Chief Planner Corporate Services Department MEMORANDUM

To: Regional Chair Emmerson and Members of Regional Council

From: Paul Freeman, MCIP, RPP Chief Planner

Date: June 23, 2020

Re: Proposed Amendment 1 to A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and Proposed Land Needs Assessment Methodology for the Greater Golden Horseshoe

This memorandum provides Council with an update regarding:

1. the recently released Amendment 1 to A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (Growth Plan) and

2. Proposed Land Needs Assessment Methodology for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (Land Needs Assessment methodology). Province released Proposed Amendment 1 to A Place to Grow and revised Land Needs Assessment Methodology on June 16, 2020

The Growth Plan sets out a long-term framework for managing growth by providing population and employment forecasts for upper- and single-tier municipalities and policy direction on where and how to grow. While the current Growth Plan came into effect in May 2019, the current population and employment forecasts have not been updated since 2013. The Land Needs Assessment methodology provides municipalities direction on determining the quantity of land needed to accommodate growth to the horizon of the Growth Plan.

On June 16, 2020, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing released Proposed Amendment 1 to A Place to Growth: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and Proposed Land Needs Assessment Methodology for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The Province is requesting comments on both proposals by July 31, 2020. Proposed Amendment 1 updates York Region growth forecasts and extends the planning horizon to 2051

Proposed Amendment 1 to the Growth Plan provides updated population and employment forecasts for upper- and single-tier municipalities in the Greater Golden Horseshoe and extends the planning horizon from 2041 to 2051. The Ministry is considering three growth outlooks for the purposes for consultation: a Reference Growth Forecast, a High Growth Scenario, and a Low Growth Scenario. The release indicates the Reference Forecast represents the most likely future growth outlook and the final amendment will only include one forecast. The proposed population and employment figures for York Region under each scenario are summarized in Table 1 below:

Table 1: Proposed Forecast Options for York Region

Population Employment Year 2031 2041 2051 2031 2041 2051 Reference Forecast 1,590,000 1,790,000 2,020,000 790,000 900,000 990,000 Low Scenario 1,590,000 1,790,000 1,930,000 790,000 900,000 950,000 High Scenario 1,590,000 1,790,000 2,110,000 790,000 900,000 1,040,000

The Amendment proposes to maintain the current 2031 and 2041 Growth Plan forecasts; however, municipalities have the ability to adjust these interim forecasts when planning for 2051. The intent of this approach was to ensure continuity of work for municipalities that have completed the process of bringing their official plans into conformity with existing forecasts. Further, proposed Amendment 1 contains a provision which suggests that municipalities can plan for population and employment forecasts higher than Schedule 3 as determined through their Municipal Comprehensive Reviews. Amendment 1 proposes changes to employment policies in Major Transit Station Areas within Provincially Significant Employment Zones

In addition to updated forecasts, Amendment 1 to the Growth Plan proposes a policy change to allow municipalities to convert lands within a provincially significant employment zone and a Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) outside of the Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) process. The Province will also be conducting a review of Provincially Significant Employment Zones to examine how they can support post COVID-19 economic recovery. This is expected to be completed by early fall 2020.

Amendment 1 also proposes to make it easier to establish new mineral aggregate operations outside of the Greenbelt by removing prohibition on new mineral aggregate operations within habitats of endangered and threatened species. Technical amendments to ensure alignment and consistency with Provincial Policy Statement, 2020 are also proposed.

2 Conformity with policies and forecasts in Proposed Amendment 1, if approved, would be required through the Region’s current MCR. The date by which municipalities must conform to policies in the Growth Plan remains July 1, 2022. Province is proposing a simplified approach to land needs assessment

The Province is also consulting on a proposed new Land Needs Assessment Methodology. The new methodology proposes a simplified approach to community and employment land needs assessment to reduce complexity. Unlike the existing 138-page, comprehensive step-by-step document released in 2018, the proposed new methodology outlines key components at a high level that municipalities are required to address as part of their land budget process in only a few pages. Several factors need to be considered by the Province when finalizing population and employment forecasts for York Region

Regional staff will be conducting a thorough review of both proposals in advance of the July 31, 2020 deadline. The following are preliminary comments based on an initial review of Amendment 1:

• Proposed 2051 forecasts for York Region add a range of 23,300 to 29,100 people annually to 2051 from the low to the high scenarios. Past growth rates of approximately 17,200 people per year over the past 10 years and 24,800 people per year on average since 1986 should be considered by the Province when finalizing the forecasts.

• Delays in the approvals for the Upper York Water Reclamation Centre and the construction of the Yonge North Subway Extension could impact the Region’s ability to achieve the proposed forecasts. Council has requested that the Province advance these projects and the final forecasts should consider the potential timing of delivery of this essential infrastructure.

• Employment forecasts to 2051 appear achievable, requiring an average annual growth of between 5,000 and 14,000 jobs per year. As of 2019, the Region was generally on track to achieve its employment forecast averaging employment growth of approximately 15,000 jobs annually since 2008. Potential short and medium term impacts of COVID-19 should, however, be considered by the Province when finalizing the forecasts.

• The proposed amendment appears to allow flexibility for municipalities to use forecasts higher than Schedule 3 forecasts, once approved. The final amendment should ensure the continued importance of having one set of forecasts across the Greater Golden Horseshoe for consistency in broader planning initiatives (e.g. inter-regional transit planning, Environmental Assessments, etc.); coordinated forecasts have been in place since the late 1980s.

3 Staff comments on the proposed Land Needs Assessment Methodology will focus on requesting sufficient direction to ensure Growth Plan objectives are met

Rather than a comprehensive document which provides explicit direction, the revised methodology is high level with significant room for interpretation. Implementation of the proposed methodology is likely to result in many different approaches to land needs assessment across the Greater Golden Horseshoe rather than the standard process referred to in the Growth Plan.

While the proposed methodology places increased emphasis on addressing the needs of the market and historical trends, clear direction on how the market is to be balanced with other Growth Plan objectives towards higher density, transit supportive and walkable communities focused on producing a variety of affordable housing forms is not provided. A meeting of Regional Council is proposed to be scheduled for July 30, 2020 to consider comments on the Provincial Growth Plan consultation

Detailed comments are being compiled by staff now with emphasis on land needs assessment as a key component of the MCR currently underway. Any implications for the overall schedule to update the Regional Official Plan will also be identified. As well, industry and stakeholder comments will be sought to help inform Council directions. In consultation with the Chairman, a tentative Council meeting on Thursday, July 30 is proposed to meet the province’s deadline of July 31, 2020 for comments.

Paul Freeman, MCIP, RPP Chief Planner

Bruce Macgregor Chief Administrative Officer

eDOCS#11085589

4

Office of the Chief Planner Corporate Services Department MEMORANDUM

To: Regional Chair Emmerson and Members of Regional Council

From: Paul Freeman, MCIP, RPP Chief Planner

Date: June 23, 2020

Re: Participating in Local Community Improvement Plans as a Means to Deliver COVID-19 Small Business Support

This memo provides clarification on existing Community Improvement Plans (CIP) in place in the local municipalities and the ability for York Region to participate in those Plans as it relates to providing COVID-19 small business support.

On June 11, 2020 Committee of the Whole received a Planning and Economic Development report titled COVID-19 Small Business Support, which identified three options for leveraging Regional funds to provide support to small businesses. The report recommended Regional funds be used to expand the Starter Company Plus program, which is delivered by the Region’s four Small Business Enterprise Centres on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

Leveraging the Starter Company Plus program ensures that the Region does not offend the “antibonusing’ prohibitions under section 106 of the Municipal Act. Further, it means the support is available to small businesses located in all nine local municipalities.

Council requested staff bring forward further information regarding the option of participation in local municipal CIP as a means of providing support to small businesses. Community Improvement Plans enable municipalities to support development or rehabilitation of land and buildings

A CIP is a planning tool that allows municipalities to target specific areas for rehabilitation and/or growth by directing funds and implementing policy initiatives. Through Section 28 of the Planning Act, municipalities have the authority to implement CIP through tax assistance, various grants and other loan programs for projects that enable development or rehabilitation of lands and buildings within a specified CIP area. Amendments to the Planning Act in 2006 provided prescribed upper-tier municipalities, including York Region, the ability to initiate CIP. 2

Community Improvement Plans apply to targeted areas and programs

CIP generally focus on the maintenance, rehabilitation, development and redevelopment of targeted areas. Adoption of a CIP requires official plan policies and a by-law designating a CIP project area. Official Plan policies must specify municipal programs and incentives and their eligible works, improvements, buildings and facilities. Municipalities are required to consult with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing as part of this process.

CIP at the lower-tier level, vary by municipality depending on the objectives that are achieved, but typically include programs to address one or more of the following:

• Industrial area remediation and redevelopment • Streetscape and façade improvements • Refurbishing of core business areas • Heritage conservation of homes • New commercial buildings or redevelopment • Affordable housing initiatives

CIP can also include land assembly policies to make projects feasible or to create financial incentives that encourage increased housing choices, mixed densities and compact spatial forms in redevelopment and/or rehabilitation areas. Municipalities can also make grants or loans available within the CIP project areas to help offset costs related to:

• environmental site assessment • environmental remediation • development, redevelopment, construction and reconstruction of lands and buildings for rehabilitation purposes • provision of energy efficient uses • works improvements of facilities

In many cases a CIP may require an applicant to submit plans, permits, drawings and other documents to confirm that a grant is being used for redevelopment purposes.

There are several CIP at the local municipal level, however, they are not all at the same stage or have mechanisms in place to facilitate providing grants to businesses for operational purposes. Attachment 1 lists the nine local municipalities and highlights whether they have an existing CIP with financial incentives in place. An upper-tier municipal Community Improvement Plan would not enable the Region to provide COVID-19 relief for businesses

Under the Planning Act, 1990 (Ontario Regulation 550/06) prescribed upper-tier municipalities can create CIP as long as they are related to:

• Infrastructure that is within the upper-tier municipalities jurisdiction 3

• Land and buildings within and adjacent to existing or planned transportation corridors that have the potential to provide a focus for higher density, mixed-use development and redevelopment • Affordable housing

Through the Planning and Economic Development Branch, there are ongoing efforts to develop a Regional CIP for affordable rental housing incentives. While the effort is underway, Regional Council has not adopted a CIP to date.

The limited scope of prescribed matters that may be dealt with in an upper-tier CIP would prevent the Region from initiating a CIP to provide COVID-19 business relief, specifically around operational, marketing and sales recovery.

For more information on this memo, please contact Jonathan Wheatle, Director, Economic Strategy at 1-877-464-9675 ext. 71503.

Paul Freeman, MCIP, RPP Chief Planner

Bruce Macgregor Chief Administrative Officer

Attachment (1) #11041625 Attachment 1

Local Municipal Community Improvement Plans

Municipality CIP with Designated Areas Approved uses Financial Incentives in Place Town of Yes • Promenade Area • Façade & Signage Improvement Aurora Grant • Building Restoration, Renovation and Improvement Program • Development Charge Grant Program for commercial development/projects within the CIP area • Tax-base redevelopment Grant Program for non-residential and multi- unit residential developments within the CIP area • Heritage Property Tax Relief Program • Environmental Site Assessment Grant Program • Environmental Remediation Tax Assistance Program

Town of Yes • Downtown Mount • Façade Improvement Grant Program East Albert • Accessibility Improvement Grant Gwillimbury Program • Landscape Improvement Grant Program • Planning and Development Fees Rebate Program for municipal development and application fees for qualifying redevelopment projects • Residential Unit Development Grant Program a per-unit cash incentive for the development of new residential apartment units within the Downtown CIP area

Town of Yes • Uptown Keswick • Façade Building Grant Georgina • Sutton • Heritage Building Grant • Jackson’s Point • Landscape Improvement Grant • Accessibility Improvement Grant Municipality CIP with Designated Areas Approved uses Financial Incentives in Place Township of Yes • King City • Façade and Signage Improvement King • Nobleton Grant • Schomberg • Landscaping Grant • Building Accessibility Grant • Motor Vehicle and Bicycle Parking Grant • Property Conversion, Reuse and Repurposing Grant • Planning and Building Permit Fee Rebate for projects that require planning applications or building permits to be permitted • Tax Increment Equivalent Grant for development, redevelopment, major additions and infrastructure improvements which result in a significant property tax increase

City of No • Markham Centre • Not approved by Council Markham • Main Street Unionville • Main Street Markham • Milliken Main Street • Thornhill Yonge Street Corridor (North and South of John Street)

Town of Yes • Downtown Main • Feasibility of redevelopment projects Newmarket Street • Restore façades • Renovate interiors • Update signs • Redevelop properties • Receive exemption from parking • Offset some town fees

#11093350 2

Municipality CIP with Designated Areas Approved uses Financial Incentives in Place City of Yes • Yonge and Bernard • Tax Increment Equivalent Grant for Richmond Avenue Key Office Hill Development Area • Building Renovation Grant Program • Downtown Local • Façade Improvement, Landscape Centre and Signage Grant • Oak Ridges Local Centre • Newkirk Employment Area • Beaver Creek Employment Area

City of Yes • Vaughan • Development Charge Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Grant/Reduction will be ‘frozen’ at the • Weston Road & rates in effect before the enactment Highway 7 of the 2013 City-wide DC by-law. Only applicable to the office portion of mixed-use development • Development Charge Deferral for development sites located within the VMC area, only applicable to the City portion of the development charges • Tax Increment Equivalent Grant to property owners to offset incremental increase in assessment resulting from the construction of new office development • Cash-in-Lieu of Parkland Exemption/Reduction

Town of Yes • Downtown • Building, Façade and Signage loan Whitchurch- Stouffville* • Redevelopment/rehabilitation Grant Stouffville Program • Sale or Lease of municipal buildings or land holdings

* On June 2, 2020, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Council directed staff to pursue preparation of a draft Town wide Community Improvement Plan that is intended to provide the Town with a flexible set of incentives in order to stimulate private investment that will result in increased assessment, jobs and managed population growth.

#11093350 3

Corporate Services Department Community and Health Services Department

Memorandum

To: Regional Chair Emmerson and Members of Regional Council

From: Dino Basso and Katherine Chislett, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Commissioner of Community and Health Services

Date: Thursday, June 25, 2020

Re: The Regional Municipality of York receives 15 International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Awards

York Region is the recipient of 15 communication awards

The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) is a global membership association representing many of the global Fortune 500 companies and the public sector. The IABC has over 80 chapters worldwide with its largest chapter being Toronto with more than 1,100 members.

For more than 40 years, the IABC honours strategic communication excellence on a worldwide scale through its Gold Quill Awards. These awards recognize communication staff working across all departments at the Region, and help progress the priorities of Council while assisting our residents to better understand the programs and services we provide.

York Region has received the highest departmental honour in 2019 for winning the Not-for- Profit Communication Department of the Year award. This is the third consecutive year York Region has received this significant achievement.

With over 600 entries, York Region has also received nine Gold Quill awards for a variety of campaigns such as:

Awards of Excellence • Diversity and Inclusion in York Region • The 13 Factors campaign at York Region • Fore the Love of Golf • Healthy Workplace Month Videos • #jealousofmyjeans: Supporting York Region’s 2019 United Way Campaign

Awards of Merit • York Region Social Services – Stronger. Together. • World Toilet Day #loveyr • #yrmatters • Connected Communicators Conference

The IABC also has a Toronto-specific award program to recognize its efforts across the GTA through its Ovation Awards. York Region has been awarded the Corporate Communication Department of the Year for the fifth consecutive year. York Region also received IABC Toronto Ovation Awards for the following six communication campaigns:

Awards of Excellence • Healthy Workplace Month Videos • #Jealousofmyjeans: York Region’s Payroll Pledge campaign for United Way • #yrmatters

Awards of Merit • Diversity and Inclusion in York Region • Happiness Happens Month - #loveyr • Supporting York Regions’ Agri-Food Sector

These awards continue to recognize the ongoing innovation and dedication of communicators. Through strong communication efforts, we can educate residents on the value of our quality programs and services that help our communities thrive.

Dino Basso Commissioner, Corporate Services

Katherine Chislett Commissioner of Community and Health Services

Bruce Macgregor Chief Administrative Officer

eDocs #10799025

2

Office of the CAO

MEMORANDUM

To: Regional Council

From: Bruce Macgregor, Chief Administrative Officer

Date: June 25, 2020

Re: Thermal Temperature Screening at Regional Facilities

This Memorandum provides Regional Council with information further to a Notice of Motion by Regional Councillor Jones dated May 14, 2020. The motion was considered and passed at Committee of the Whole on June 11, 2020.

The memorandum presents the findings of York Region Public Health, Occupational Health, Health and Safety and Legal Services staff. Background

Councillor Jones’ motion was titled, “Thermal Temperature Detection and Data Retention for the Region”, and resolved:

• That staff be directed to investigate and report back on thermal temperature detection systems as a first line of action due to the COVID-19 environment and potential future health pandemics

• That, such detection systems should be non-contact, fully integrated, capable of detecting high temperatures in both York Region employees and visitors to York Region properties, and have the capacity to send immediate alerts to authorized York Region officials who are responsible for managing health and safety protocols

• That, additionally have the capacity to capture the temperature data and retain the data for future analysis to guide health workers to better address potential future pandemics threats in a timely manner

• That, furthermore, thermal temperature systems should not require individuals to use their own personal cell phones for detection and tracking purposes thereby respecting privacy considerations

• That, a system of this type should also have the capability to add other features which can offer additional and important measurements for other health and safety factors that have not yet been contemplated

• That, a proper all-encompassing system should be used to encourage York Region businesses to also adopt similar thermal temperature detection systems in order to deliver data alerts to York Region in order to ensure that health workers can take swift and responsible actions in addressing pandemic spikes in our community In May, 2020, the York Region Health Emergency Operations Centre, Planning Section investigated whether there is sufficient evidence to support temperature testing as a response to COVID-19

Based on their review, Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) staff found:

• There are three main types of non-contact thermometers:

o Non-contact infrared thermometers, typically held 3-15 cm from forehead (mixed findings regarding efficacy)

o Tympanic thermometers, which measure thermal radiation from tympanic membrane and ear canal (most accurate)

o Thermal scanners which can operate from farther away (relatively accurate, but less efficacy than tympanic thermometers)

Evidence for these types of non-contact thermometers focused on hospital, clinical and airport settings, which make it difficult to extrapolate evidence into other settings.

Based on a review of relevant medical literature, the HEOC concluded that there is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of non-contact thermometers in public buildings as a means of screening for COVID-19. Among other things, multiple factors impact body temperature, including: age, gender, sweat, ambient temperature range, physical activity, emotional state and the use of antipyretic (fever reducing) drugs.

For all these reasons, there are limitations on using fever as an accurate measure of COVID-19. Accordingly, it was suggested that more effective measures such as physical distancing, proper hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and the wearing of face coverings where physical distancing is not possible should be encouraged as a way to minimize the spread of COVID-19. The Health Emergency Operations Centre concluded that other public health measures should be implemented rather than temperature checks

• Symptomatic and pre-symptomatic COVID-19 cases may also contribute to virus spread while still passing temperature checks

2

• Pre-symptomatic cases can begin transmission of the COVID-19 virus up to 48 hours prior to developing symptoms

• There are a variety of COVID-19 symptoms including, fever, new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, new olfactory or taste disorders, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain or nasal congestion

• Some patients with COVID-19 may not experience any fever Advice on thermal testing was also sought from the Region’s Occupational Health physician

York Region Health and Safety staff also reached out to a well-credentialed Occupational Health Physician, for another perspective on thermal testing. The doctor’s comments may be summarized as follows:

• Use of temperature screening is a “very blunt instrument” in the screening process for COVID-19 • Temperature screening is a very labour intensive and intrusive screening method which is “fraught with limitations” • There are more effective uses of resources • Ideally, in any sort of large group or in any situation where physical distancing cannot be maintained, the use of masks is encouraged • Temperature screening will not address the issue of the asymptomatic carrier • Education, physical distancing, the use of masks and shields as barriers to the emission of water droplets and barriers to the touching of mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth are the cornerstones to management of COVID-19 transmission reduction • If unable to provide the above, temperature screening may identify a few individuals who would pose a risk It should be noted that our long-term care homes and Paramedic Services are currently using temperature-taking as a part of their screening protocols, via touchless forehead thermometer, among other active screening measures. These measures are directed by the Province for long-term care. Paramedics Services has added temperature screening checks for paramedics who treat many vulnerable persons in the community.

Privacy Law Considerations

Thermal temperature scanning in the workplace does not violate privacy laws if conducted appropriately. For instance:

3

• There would need to be a strong policy in place regarding the collection, use, disclosure, storage, and retention of the information • If it were to be implemented, temperature scanning should be used only be used for health and safety purposes in the workplace, specifically, for determining who can enter the workplace • When each person is individually scanned, the consent of the person should be obtained and if they refuse, the person can be denied entry • Any questions asked of the person entering the building regarding health status should be conducted as privately as possible in the area they are entering • Anonymizing collected data should be considered Should there be a direction to pursue a temperature testing screening program, the Information and Privacy Commission (IPC) is available for consultation regarding IPC privacy standards and best practices.

Labour Relations Considerations

There are no specific impediments in the collective agreements with CUPE 905 and the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) to imposing a requirement for temperature screening of York Region employees prior to entry into the workplace. Provided that privacy issues were appropriately addressed, such a requirement would fall under the general expectation that employees follow workplace health and safety rules.

However, there are a number of practical issues that would need to be considered in consultation with both unions and with Public Health and Occupational Health medical professionals. Protocols that would have to be developed would include:

• What if an employee refuses to be tested?

• What happens if an employee presents with an elevated temperature? For example, are they sent home?

• If an employee is sent home because of an elevated temperature, how is the absence from the workplace treated?

• If an employee is denied entry into the workplace, how long does the denial of entry remain in place—for example, would the denial continue for a set period and/or would the employee be subject to mandatory COVID-19 testing prior to re-admittance? Other Considerations

There are a number of other issues that would have to be considered in relation to York Region’s more than 60 workplace locations. These include:

4

• Identifying, sourcing and procuring thermal temperature scanners

• Identifying scanning locations in each Regional facility

• Who should administer the testing—staff, or third party vendors?

• Developing protocols for testing, including public health, workplace health and safety and privacy considerations, prior to implementation

• If staff are to administer the testing, training will have to be procured and provided, both with respect to testing protocols as well as operation and maintenance of temperature scanning equipment

As recovery plans evolve, staff will continue to monitor and assess appropriate measures to ensure safety in the workplace.

Respectfully submitted,

Bruce Macgregor eDOCS #11090055

5 The Regional Municipality of York

Regional Council June 25, 2020

Report of the Commissioner of Transportation Services York Region Transit Protection of Transit Riders and Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic

1. Recommendations

1. Council endorse the purchase of 100,000 non-medical, individually wrapped, disposable face masks at a cost of $59,000, excluding HST, to be distributed to customers not having their own mask when entering the York Region Transit system; July 2, 2020.

2. Council approve Transit Bylaw amendments to include a mandatory requirement for individuals to wear a non-medical face mask or covering while on transit vehicles or property, effective July 2, 2020.

2. Summary

On June 11, 2020, Council directed staff to effect mandatory, non-medical face masks or coverings on all York Region Transit (YRT) buses and vehicles. This mandatory requirement begins on July 2, 2020, and aligns with actions planned by other Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) transit agencies. To promote this new requirement, staff is seeking Council endorsement to purchase 100,000 non-medical, individually wrapped, disposable face masks to distribute to travellers, at a cost of $59,000, excluding taxes.

Staff is also seeking approval of Transit Bylaw amendments to include a requirement for individuals to wear a non-medical face mask or covering while on transit vehicles or property.

Key Points:

 YRT has implemented numerous health and safety measures to keep travellers, staff and contractor employees safe during the COVID-19 pandemic  Starting July 2, 2020, YRT will require travellers to resume front-door boarding of buses and to wear non-medical face masks or coverings while on the system, as York Region is unable to guarantee physical distancing of two metres as ridership increases

1  Traveller education on the need for face masks or coverings will continue to be provided through various communications  An amendment to the Transit Bylaw will formally enact the requirement for mandatory non-medical face masks or coverings

3. Background Health and safety of YRT travellers, staff and contractor employees continues to be a principal focus for York Region

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Regional staff has worked closely with the operation and maintenance contractors to provide public transit services deemed essential by the provincial government.

Regional staff has followed recommended guidelines provided by the provincial government (Attachments 1 and 2) and worked with organizations such as the Canadian Urban Transit Association and the Ontario Public Transit Association to ensure YRT’s actions in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic reflect public health’s direction and transit industry best practices.

Since the beginning of March, numerous health and safety measures have been put in place to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 while helping keep travellers, staff and contractor employees as safe as possible, including:

 Enhancing cleaning and disinfection of buses/vehicles and facilities  Equipping on-street staff and bus drivers with personal protective equipment including hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes  Instructing travellers to board and exit buses through the rear-doors  Reducing the number of seats available on all vehicles to provide physical distancing  Creating a two-metre physical space around the bus driver  Screening all travellers using Mobility On-Request and require them to wear a non- medical face mask or coverings All recommended public health safety measures continue to be communicated to transit travellers through posters and notices directly at bus stops and terminals and through on-bus and terminal announcements. Information is also available on both york.ca and yrt.ca through dedicated COVID-19 sections and on transit-specific social media channels.

At the June 11, 2020, Committee of the Whole recommended that York Region introduce measures to make face coverings mandatory on YRT, effective July 2, 2020, and staff report back to the June 25, 2020 Regional Council meeting with an implementation plan.

York Region Transit Protection of Transit Riders and Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic 2 4. Analysis As the Province of Ontario reopens the economy, transit ridership in the Region is increasing

Transit, deemed an essential service by the Province, has continued to operate throughout the pandemic. Twelve weeks ago, consistent with other transit agencies across the country, YRT saw ridership decline by approximately 80%. The majority of travellers needed the service for necessary trips such as commuting to essential work, getting groceries and pharmaceuticals or going for medical care.

Physical distancing was possible while ridership was at its lowest levels from the end of March to May; however, this is no longer the case.

YRT’s ridership has increased by 12% during the month of June. Conventional and Viva transit services are now being used by approximately 11,000 travellers each day. YRT will resume front-door boarding on July 2, 2020, with additional health and safety measures, including the mandatory wearing of a non-medical face mask or covering

Most transit agencies in the GTHA will resume front-door boarding on July 2, 2020. Health and safety controls already in place will continue with a few additions, such as bus driver barrier shields, hand sanitizer dispensers, contactless fare payment options and mandatory non-medical face mask or covering requirements:

 Barrier shields are now being installed at the bus driver cabs; these will provide additional physical separation for bus drivers and thus facilitate the resumption of front-door boarding and safe use of the space at the front of the buses.  Establishing one-way flow of travellers boarding and deboarding buses.  Hand sanitizer dispensers are being installed at all YRT terminals.  Travellers are being encouraged to use PRESTO or the YRT Pay app. Travellers can purchase or load a PRESTO card online or at any Shoppers Drug Mart across the GTHA. The YRT Pay app is available for free in the App Store or Google Play. Exact cash fares will still be accepted and paper transfers will be issued through contactless methods.  Wearing of non-medical face masks or coverings on all YRT services will be mandatory and travellers will be expected to supply and wear their own that comply with public health recommendations. YRT will have a limited number of non-medical masks available for travellers who do not have their own when entering the system and these will be distributed by transportation services staff at various locations throughout the YRT system.

York Region Transit Protection of Transit Riders and Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic 3 It is recommended the Transit Bylaw be amended to reflect the requirement for non-medical face masks or coverings

The Region’s Transit Bylaw was enacted in 2017 and includes provisions governing the conduct of individuals while travelling on the transit system or on transit property, including bus shelters and terminals. These provisions are aimed at ensuring the safety and comfort of all transit users and include regulation of items that may be brought on transit vehicles and general guidance as to acceptable social behaviour.

It is recommended the Transit Bylaw be amended to include a provision requiring all individuals to wear a non-medical face mask or covering while on a transit vehicle and that this requirement is extended to all transit properties. Exemptions would be made for:

 Children under two years of age  Those compromised by wearing a non-medical face mask or covering because of a medical condition  Those unable to place or remove a non-medical face mask or covering without assistance  Anyone who requires accommodation under the Human Rights Code

The Bylaw will also provide that these restrictions may be lifted at such time the Region’s Medical Officer of Health determines they are no longer required.

Including these provisions in the Transit Bylaw would mean that penalty provisions could be invoked for any contravention. However, it is recommended that compliance be encouraged through education and public awareness. This is consistent with the approach in other jurisdictions. The enforcement tools may serve as an additional deterrent and would be available if deemed necessary. YRT continues to employ a variety of strategies to communicate the need for non-medical face masks or coverings and other public health recommendations

YRT has been using a variety of communication tools to educate travellers on the protective measures, including creating information for targeted media and news stories, having staff on street to supply travellers with non-medical masks and to answer any questions, through on- bus information and posters directly at bus stops and terminals, and through on-bus and terminal announcements.

Information about the mandatory requirement will be available on york.ca and yrt.ca through dedicated COVID-19 sections and on transit-specific social media channels. In addition, all information is available in multiple languages using Google Translate on yrt.ca and through the YRT Contact Centre Language Line.

YRT staff will also consult with Community and Health Services to identify groups or residents who travel on YRT services and do not have access to a supply of masks.

York Region Transit Protection of Transit Riders and Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic 4 5. Financial

The one-time cost to purchase 100,000 masks for the distribution to travellers who are in need of one is estimated at $59,000, excluding HST.

Ongoing costs associated with YRT’s health and safety measures are being tracked and reported to Council on a monthly basis through Corporate Finance.

6. Local Impact

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, travellers in York Region have had access to YRT services to connect them to their essential work, grocery stores, pharmacies and medical care. Health and safety initiatives have been implemented to reduce the risk of travellers contracting the virus. This will be further emphasized with the mandatory requirement of wearing non-medical face masks or coverings on transit.

7. Conclusion

Since the beginning of March 2020, numerous health and safety measures have been put into place to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, keeping travellers, staff and contractor employees as safe as possible.

Starting July 2, 2020, YRT, together with the GTHA transit agencies, will resume front-door boarding for travellers and normal fare collection. Health and safety measures identified in this report will continue until such time the Region’s Medical Officer of Health determines they are no longer required.

As increased ridership and front door boarding decreases the ability to guarantee physical distancing on conventional and Viva transit buses, it will now be mandatory for travellers on YRT to wear non-medical face masks or coverings. Face masks and coverings are identified by public health as being an effective means of reducing the spread of COVID-19 where physical distancing is not possible.

It is recommended the Transit Bylaw be amended to include a provision requiring all individuals to wear a non-medical face mask or covering while on a transit vehicle and that this requirement be extended to all transit properties. Traveller compliance will be encouraged through education and public awareness.

Staff will continue to monitor updates to public health recommendations and provincial guidelines to ensure the YRT system is adequately prepared to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 as the Province of Ontario reopens.

York Region Transit Protection of Transit Riders and Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic 5 For more information on this report, please contact Ann-Marie Carroll at 1-877-464-9675 ext. 75677. Accessible formats or communication supports are available upon request.

Recommended by: Paul Jankowski Commissioner of Transportation Services

Approved for Submission: Bruce Macgregor Chief Administrative Officer

June 22, 2020 Attachments (2) 11040307

York Region Transit Protection of Transit Riders and Staff During the COVID-19 Pandemic 6 ATTACHMENT 1 Ministry of Ministère des Transportation Transports

Office of the Minister Bureau de la ministre

777 Bay Street, 5th Floor 777, rue Bay, 5e étage Toronto ON M7A 1Z8 Toronto ON M7A 1Z8 416 327-9200 416 327-9200 www.ontario.ca/transportation www.ontario.ca/transports

MEMORANDUM TO: Provincial and municipal transit agencies, Ontario Public Transit Association

FROM: Caroline Mulroney Minister of Transportation

DATE: June 11, 2020

SUBJECT: Guidance for Public Transit Employers & Passengers in Response to COVID-19

As we move further along with the reopening of our province, the safety of public transit employees and passengers continues to be top of mind.

Recently, Shelley Tapp, Deputy Minister of Transportation shared evidence-based guidance from Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health, on COVID- 19 precautions on public transportation.

To build from Dr. Yaffe’s guidance and in response to stakeholder requests, we are releasing more comprehensive guidance for public transit employers and passengers in response to COVID-19.

This guidance was developed by the Ministry of Transportation, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Furthermore, the guidance has been directly informed by our key transit partners – we are grateful for the insights provided.

While the intention is to provide clear and consistent guidance for provincial and municipal transit agencies, we recognize that the implementation of best practices may be gradual as ridership increases.

Also, while examples are provided, we recognize that responses to COVID-19 will not be a one size fits all model – each transit agency will need to take different considerations into account.

11062941 …/2 -2-

As the environment in which we are living and working continues to evolve, we continue to seek advice from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health on best practices related to the safety for operators and passengers.

Ontario’s public transit systems are vital as the province begins its framework to reopen. We are committed to supporting our transit partners and ensuring that the people of Ontario can continue to ride transit safely.

Thank you for all your hard work as we continue to respond to this evolving situation.

Sincerely,

Caroline Mulroney Minister of Transportation

ATTACHMENT 2

Guidance for Public Transit Agencies and Passengers in Response to COVID-19

Protecting Transit Workers and Passengers

As the province begins to reopen and more people start heading back to work, it is imperative that we do everything we can to protect transit workers and passengers. We want everyone who uses a train, bus or street car to feel safe and confident.

Although we are making steady progress to contain COVID-19, the virus continues to pose a serious health threat for everyone, especially for our most vulnerable citizens. We need to continue to be vigilant to try and prevent any further spikes or outbreaks.

That’s why our government, in consultation with public health and transit officials, have produced this guidance document specifically designed for public transit agencies. This document outlines best practices and strong recommendations for transit agencies to better protect staff and passengers as they get back out into the community. It provides consistent, clear and practical information that transit agencies can use to help prevent the spread and reassure the public that taking public transit is safe.

The health and well-being of transit workers and all Ontarians is our top priority – one that we share with transit agencies and stakeholders alike. Our government is committed to continuing to work closely with our partners to find solutions to the challenges we are all facing due to COVID-19.

This guidance document for transit agencies is another important tool to support and protect those providing critical services across the province. I want to thank all of our transit agencies and workers for all that they are doing to keep the people of Ontario moving safely.

I strongly encourage all transit agencies to review our guidance document and adopt these guidelines and tips. We all need to work together to protect staff and passengers while we fight to contain this global pandemic.

Together, I know we will come out of this stronger.

– Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation

11062966 1 Purpose:

The purpose of this guide is to support public transit employers and passengers in Ontario in response to COVID-19. It seeks to support continuity of operations, or resumption of operations, under the safest and healthiest possible conditions in the context of COVID-19. The information presented in this guidance document are best practices and tips to help prevent the transmission of COVID-19 on public transit and will remain in effect until further notice by provincial public health officials.

This document supports the Government of Ontario’s phased approach for responding to COVID‑19. The Province has developed a framework that outlines the method and principles that will be used to reopen businesses, services and public spaces to responsibly lead Ontario’s economy back to a strong position. A Framework for Reopening our Province includes three stages:

Phase 1: Protect and Support The government’s focus is protecting the health and well-being of individuals and families, supporting frontline health care workers, essential workers and businesses, and providing immediate support to protect people and jobs.

Phase 2: Restart The government will take a careful, stage-by-stage approach to loosening emergency measures and reopening Ontario’s economy. Public health and workplace safety will remain the top priority, while balancing the needs of people and businesses.

Phase 3: Recovery The government will partner with businesses and other sectors to lead Ontario’s economic recovery. The focus will be creating jobs and opportunities across the province, while working to restore long-term prosperity for the benefit of every individual and family in Ontario.1

Through all the stages, public health and safety will be the number one concern, while balancing the needs of people and businesses.

1 https://www.ontario.ca/page/framework-reopening-our-province 2 Overview:

This is not a legal document – public transit employers are advised to seek legal advice regarding their obligations under relevant collective agreements and legislation, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations to protect workers from hazards in the workplace.

Guidance from Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and/or the local medical officer of health is also being released, such as Ontario’s Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health’s guidance to all transit agencies re: COVID-19 precautions on public transportation, dated May 15th, 2020. This guidance is not legally binding.

In this guidance document, examples are provided while recognizing that responses to COVID-19 will not be a one size fits all model – each transit agency will need to take different factors and local circumstances into account in considering and developing their own approaches.

Transit agencies should use their discretion when implementing the suggested measures, while continuing to prioritize the health and safety of their workers and passengers.

This guidance document recognizes that not all recommendations may be feasible or appropriate in every circumstance or for every transit employer. Rather, it is intended to set forward best practices and tips that should be considered where feasible and appropriate.

Also, it should be noted that this is a living document that will continue to be updated in consultation with public health officials, transit agencies and other stakeholders.

Transit Employers

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, transit employers have a duty to provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the health or safety of the worker.

Workers have the right to refuse unsafe work. If health and safety concerns are not resolved internally, a worker may seek enforcement by filing a complaint with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development’s Health and Safety Contact Centre at 1-877-202-0008. Failure of the employer to comply with the OHSA and its regulations could result in a stop-work order upon inspection by the Ministry.

Furthermore, transit employers have an obligation to take reasonable precautions to protect workers from hazards in the workplace, as set out in the OHSA and its regulations. Transit employers should also consult with public health officials as to any public health guidance that may apply to their transit employees.

3 Workers should raise any concerns to their: • Supervisor • Joint Health and Safety Committee • Health and Safety Representative

Employers also must abide by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) to ensure health and safety practices are accessible to workers with disabilities.

Transit Passengers

Transit passengers are required to abide by municipal or local board by-laws that regulate the use of public transit.

Municipal transit agencies are encouraged to develop policies and procedures for transit passengers that prioritize the health and safety of both workers and passengers.

In some select municipalities, emergency measures have included temporarily suspending municipal transit; however, in the large majority of municipalities across Ontario, transit services have continued, with some reduced service due to lower demand.

(1) Transit Employers:

The health and safety of workers is a top concern in response to COVID-19.

Employers must ensure they are operating in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the regulations made under it. Transit employers should also consult with public health officials as to any applicable public health guidance issued by Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health or the local medical officer of health that may apply to their transit employees.

To support public transit agencies during this time, included below are best practices and tips for transit employers to help in preventing the transmission of COVID-19.

Management and communication of infection prevention and control/occupational health and safety information

• Communicate infection prevention and control (IPAC)/occupational health and safety policies and procedures to all employees in an accessible format.

• Communicate information about COVID-19 policies to all employees in an accessible format. These policies should cover how the workplace will operate, including but not limited to: o The sanitization of workplaces, including appropriate equipment o Proper hygiene and respiratory etiquette

4 o Other control measures (e.g., personal protective equipment (PPE), physical barriers, cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and objects, etc.) o How workers and contractors report illnesses o How to encourage physical distancing o How work will be scheduled • Track where workers have worked, where possible.

• If a worker tests positive for COVID-19, the local public health unit will conduct contact tracing to identify anyone who was in close contact with the infected worker. Employers may be asked to provide information on where the worker worked, as well as the contact information of any other worker who may have been exposed.

• Workers who are worried they have COVID-19 or may have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 are encouraged to get a test.

Reporting requirements

If an employer is advised that a worker has tested positive for COVID-19 due to exposure at the workplace, or that a claim has been filed with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), the employer is required to give notice in writing within four days to: • The Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development • The workplace’s joint health and safety committee or a health and safety representative • The worker’s trade union (if applicable)

Instances of occupationally acquired disease shall be reported to WSIB, and a copy of the notification to the worker, within three days of receiving notification of the occupational disease.2

Review policies and procedures for infection prevention and control/occupational health and safety

Review IPAC/occupational health and safety policies and procedures. Policies and procedures should consider recommendations and any guidance from the Ontario Ministry of Health and resources from Public Health Ontario.

The policies and procedures should consider and address levels of risk associated with the workplace and job tasks within transit operations, and should include all job categories, including transit operators, transit cleaning and maintenance works, and all frontline and office staff.

2 https://www.wsib.ca/en/businesses/claims/report-injury-or-illness 5 The policies should include what control measures will be implemented by the transit organization and how it will operate in response to COVID-19, including protocols for disinfection of the workplace and equipment, how employees report illness, how to encourage physical distancing, where possible and how work could be scheduled.

Implement control measures

Exclusion of symptomatic workers from the workplace

Persons exhibiting symptoms may form part of the COVID-19 chain of transmission in the workplace. The following procedures can help reduce the transmission of COVID- 19: • Workers are informed that if they are experiencing signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19, they should go home immediately, seek medical attention (i.e., primary care provider or call Telehealth Ontario), and they must not report to work. A full list of symptoms can be found here: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/2019 _reference_doc_symptoms.pdf. • Additionally, a self-assessment tool can be found here: https://covid- 19.ontario.ca/self-assessment/. • The employer ensures that workers who have COVID-19 symptoms do not report to work. • If a worker has symptoms or thinks they were exposed to COVID-19, they should notify their supervisor immediately for case management and cleaning/disinfection purposes and then go home immediately to seek medical attention by contacting their primary care provider or Telehealth Ontario and by getting tested at a COVID-19 assessment centre. Information about assessment centres is accessible on Ontario's dedicated COVID-19 website: https://covid- 19.ontario.ca/. • The Joint Health and Safety Committee, as well as groups with human resource functions, should also be notified of situations where workers leave work due to COVID-19-like symptoms. This process should be initiated by their supervisor.

Physical distancing

• Whenever possible, a minimum of 2-metres (6 feet) of distancing between people should be maintained at work all day. • Wherever possible, any physical contact should be discouraged between people at work. • Establish procedures and controls to help limit exposure between passengers and the transit operator. • Where possible, institute measures to physically separate or impose the physical distance of at least 2-metres between transit operators and passengers. This

6 could be done by use of physical partitions, visual cues or signage to limit proximity to the transit operator.

Where physical separation or distancing cannot be achieved or maintained, a risk assessment (or job hazard analysis) should be performed.

Examples of control measures at stations and in vehicles and facilities (i.e., garages and depots), may include:

Personal Protective Equipment

• Transit agency staff completing tasks that require them to be less than 2-metres from another person without a physical barrier (e.g., plexiglass barrier, full partition), may require personal protection equipment (PPE), including a surgical mask/procedure mask and eye protection (e.g., goggles, face shield). This includes transit operators assigned to conventional or specialized transit vehicles. The use of respirators (including N95 respirators and equivalent or higher protection equipment) is not recommended as protection against COVID- 19 for transit workers. • Note: Any physical barrier or modification should be compliant with all applicable federal and provincial legislation and not interfere with or affect the safe operation of the transit vehicle.

Physical Barriers

• Where a 2-metre physical distance cannot be established between workstations, consider installing physical barriers (e.g., plexiglass barrier, full partition) between them. • Consider installing physical barriers between passengers, such as collapsible aisle barriers, where applicable. • As transit agencies shift from rear door boarding procedures back to front door boarding procedures and resume collecting fares, consider installing physical barriers (e.g., plexiglass barrier, full partition) between the transit operator and the passengers, or alternative mitigation measures identified through a risk assessment. • Note: Any physical barrier or modification should be compliant with all applicable federal and provincial legislation and not interfere with or affect the safe operation of the transit vehicle.

Hand Hygiene

Frequent hand washing with lukewarm water and soap for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer limits the risks of transmission in the work environment, especially: • After entering the workplace.

7 • Before touching the face (e.g. eyes, nose, mouth). • After coughing, sneezing or wiping the nose. • Before and after eating. • Before and after handling or touching shared objects and surfaces that are frequently touched (e.g., doorknobs). • After using the bathroom. • Before and after using PPE.

To the extent possible, maintain the availability of alcohol-based hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes for transit operators and passengers upon entrance to and exit from the transit vehicle.

Payment

• Provide services virtually where possible or curtail non-essential services. • Whenever possible, avoid exchanging paper products (e.g., cash for fare collection, purchase orders, receipts, correspondence). • Favour contactless payment (e.g., tapping credit or debit cards). • If contactless payment is not possible, encourage transactions at kiosks, particularly for applying fares to transit passes. • If it is necessary to exchange paper products or handle cash, employees should perform hand hygiene before and after handling the cash or paper products.

Respiratory Etiquette

All workers and passengers should be encouraged and reminded to practice proper respiratory etiquette by: • Covering their mouth and nose when they cough or sneeze using the crook of their elbow or tissues that are immediately discarded in the appropriate disposal receptacle, followed by performing hand hygiene. No-touch garbage bins (such as garbage cans with a foot pedal) are preferred for disposal. • Washing hands frequently. • Not touching their mouth, nose or eyes with gloved or bare unwashed hands.

Cleaning and disinfecting measures for tools, equipment and frequently touched objects and surfaces

Given that the virus responsible for COVID-19 has been detected on surfaces and, based on experience with other similar viruses, this may be a source of infection, application of hygiene measures is essential: • Develop a COVID-19 hygiene, cleaning and disinfection protocol, particularly including: o Cleaning and disinfection procedure o Product storage and contaminated waste management procedure (newspapers, cleaning cloths) 8 o Employee training and information • According to Public Health Ontario, in addition to routine cleaning, objects and surfaces that have frequent contact with hands should be cleaned and disinfected at least twice per day and when visibly dirty3. This includes washroom facilities. • Clean meal areas before each meal and disinfect them at least twice per day. For example: o Refrigerator door handles o Chair backs o Microwaves o Tables o Counters o Faucets • Clean frequently touched surfaces when they are visibly soiled and disinfect them at least twice per day. For example: o Fare payment areas o Workstations o Doorknobs o Toilets o Sinks o Telephones o Computer accessories o Pencils • Clean and disinfect a transit operator’s station at least twice per day. Pay special attention to surfaces frequently touched during driving, such as: o The steering wheel o The interior and exterior door handles o The interior rear-review mirror o The seat belt o The seat o Both sides of the physical barrier • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces in the transit vehicles (e.g., seat belts, straps, handrails, buzzers, doors, seats, washroom facilities) at an appropriate frequency (e.g., some transit agencies have established a standard operating procedure of twice per day cleaning and disinfecting for transit vehicles). • Avoid sharing material or equipment. When it is impossible to avoid sharing, disinfect shared workstations and tools before using them. • Use appropriate cleaning products or disinfectants. Refer to Health Canada’s list of disinfectants: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health- products/disinfectants/covid-19/list.html

3 https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/factsheet-covid-19-environmental- cleaning.pdf?la=en 9 • During cleaning and disinfection, wear leakproof gloves (e.g., disposable gloves). Caution and proper safety procedures for removing the gloves should be followed. An instructional video on how to properly remove gloves can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/video/covid-19-how-to- take-off-disposable-gloves.html. Soiled disposable gloves should be discarded in lined garbage receptacles, or stored in sealed disposable plastic bags until they can be properly disposed of if a garbage bin is not available. • Remove non-essential objects (e.g., magazines, newspapers, etc.) from common areas.

Examples of control measures for office settings may include:

• Have staff work from home whenever possible (i.e., office staff) and consider alternative arrangements for staff at higher risk for adverse health complications from COVID-19 (e.g., older adults, people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions)4, whenever possible. • Provide services virtually where possible or curtail non-essential services. • If applicable, hold virtual meetings (do not hold meetings that require a physical gathering). • Stagger start times, breaks and lunches to prevent crowding in common areas. • To the extent possible, have alcohol-based hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes available to employees, for use in their own and shared workstations. • Alter the workplace layout of the floor by moving or removing furniture or use visual cues, such as tape on the floor to enhance physical distancing. • Restrict visitors and limit workplace entry to only essential personnel. • Inform suppliers, subcontractors, and partners of the measures implemented to control the risks associated with COVID-19 and the importance of complying with these measures.

Guidance for transit agencies to help keep passengers safe

Safely directing passenger flows

Consider protocols to safely direct the flow of passengers using signage, personnel and/or physical markers, including the following: • Establishing one-way flow of pedestrian traffic when entering stations, passing through fare gates, and boarding and deboarding transit vehicles • Using physical markers (such as seat and floor decals) between seats in stations and vehicles

Support and enable physical distancing

Wherever possible: • Consider scheduling to reduce crowding, particularly during peak times

4 https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/ncov-daily-lit.pdf?la=en 10 • Consider allowing additional boarding and de-boarding time • Consider plans to address crowding in the event of unplanned delays or higher than anticipated ridership demand • Consider limiting seating on transit vehicles to promote physical distancing, for example blocking off seats in close proximity with signage to limit passengers sitting adjacent to one another • Consider installing physical barriers between passengers, where applicable • Use physical markers (such as seat and floor decals) between seats in stations and vehicles

Cleaning and disinfecting measures

• To the extent possible, maintain the availability of alcohol-based hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes upon entrance and exit to the vehicle and throughout the station. • As maintaining the availability of alcohol-based hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes may not always be possible, encourage passengers to carry and use their own alcohol-based hand sanitizer when taking transit. • In addition to daily routine cleaning, all high-touch surfaces (e.g., in-station customer/high traffic touchpoints), such as door handles, handrails, fare devices and countertops should be cleaned frequently. 5 • Develop a hygiene, cleaning and disinfection protocol for transit vehicles.

Communications/marketing

• Consider installing posters in transit vehicles and at appropriate access points in stations with public health information, including protocols to help avoid transmission to transit workers and other passengers. This may include recommending that passengers wear face coverings or non-medical masks, particularly when physical distancing is not possible, and reminding them of the importance of proper and regular hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. • Make passengers aware of the need to discard used tissues, face coverings or non-medical masks or other personal items in lined garbage bins; no-touch garbage bins (such as garbage cans with a foot pedal) are preferred for disposal. • Develop and implement a comprehensive communications/marketing campaign that focuses on health and safety for everyone in order to reassure passengers. This should include providing posters and messaging (e.g., safety never stops) in visible accessible places where passengers can see (e.g., waiting areas, platforms, washrooms, signage of seats, vehicles, stairwells, etc.)6 • Reinforce customer benefits and safety measures to encourage passengers to return to transit.

5 https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/factsheet-covid-19-environmental- cleaning.pdf?la=en Metrolinx’s Integrated Communications Plan. COVID-19 Short-term Strategies. 6 Metrolinx’s Integrated Communications Plan. COVID-19 Short-term Strategies. 11 (2) Transit Passengers:

Everyone must comply with provincial emergency orders to restrict gatherings and should follow public health guidance and recommendations for physical distancing and limiting travel where possible.

All measures taken to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 should be done in consultation with any applicable public health guidance issued by the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health (e.g., the Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health’s guidance dated May 15th to all transit agencies re: COVID-19 precautions on public transportation) or advice of local medical officers of health as applicable.

Below are best practices and tips to help transit agencies and passengers reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19.

We recognize that not all recommendations may be feasible or appropriate in every circumstance or for every transit provider. Rather, these best practices and tips should be considered where possible.

Guidance for Transit Passengers to Help Keep Themselves and Other Passengers Safe

Symptomatic and COVID-19-exposed passengers

Passengers who exhibit signs and symptoms should refrain from taking public transit and postpone their purchases of passes, make them online or send someone in their place to purchase them on their behalf.

Anyone who has symptoms associated with COVID-19 or has travelled outside the country within the last 14 days or has had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, should avoid taking public transit. Personal or private transportation should be arranged, where possible.

For the benefit of all passengers, transit agencies may consider implementing passive screening by hanging posters at all station entrances asking people with symptoms to refrain from entering or boarding. These posters can include a list of signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

A full list of signs and symptoms can be found here: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/2019_refer ence_doc_symptoms.pdf.

12 Additionally, a self-assessment tool can be found here: https://covid-19.ontario.ca/self- assessment/.

Physical distancing

Passengers are recommended to: • Maintain a minimum of 2 metres (6 feet) of distancing between people as part of their journey. • When maintaining a 2-metre distance on transit vehicles may not practical or possible, the multiple layers of recommended protection (i.e., face coverings or non-medical masks, physical barriers between driver and passengers, and physical distancing between passengers, where applicable) should be emphasized. • Avoid physical contact (e.g., handshakes, hugs, etc.).

Face coverings or non-medical masks

To help reduce the transmission of COVID-19, it is highly recommended that transit passengers wear a face covering or non-medical mask at all times during their travels on public transit.

This is particularly important when physical distancing cannot be maintained. In addition to a face covering or non-medical mask, layers of protection are ideal in close quarters (e.g., physical barriers).

For additional information on face coverings or non-medical masks, consult: • https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/05/as-ontario-reopens-people-urged-to- continue-following-basic-public-health-measures.html • https://www.ontario.ca/page/face-coverings-and-face-masks • https://www.publichealthontario.ca/- /media/documents/ncov/factsheet/2020/05/factsheet-covid-19-non-medical- masks.pdf?la=en

It is highly recommended that passengers wear a face covering or non-medical mask: • Where possible and as tolerated, at all times during their travels • During the transit trip when they cannot physically distance from others • As directed by the transit agency or a Canadian public health official

A face covering or non-medical mask should not be worn by: • Young children, particularly children under the age of 2 years old

13 • Passengers who have breathing difficulties that are unrelated to COVID-197

For information on making face coverings and non-medical masks, consult: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus- infection/prevention-risks/about-non-medical-masks-face-coverings.html#a5

Hand hygiene

Encourage passengers to carry and use their own alcohol-based hand sanitizer when taking transit.

Additionally, after their journey is completed, passengers are encouraged to perform hand hygiene (either washing their hands with lukewarm water and soap for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer), whenever possible.

Link to Public Health Ontario hand hygiene guidance: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/health-topics/infection-prevention-control/hand- hygiene

Payment

• Whenever possible, avoid exchanging paper products (cash for fare collection, purchase orders, receipts, correspondence). • Favour contactless payment (e.g., tapping credit or debit cards).

Respiratory etiquette

At all times during their journey, passengers are recommended to respect respiratory etiquette by: • Covering their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing using the crook of their elbow or tissues that are immediately discarded in the appropriate disposal receptacle, followed by performing hand hygiene. No-touch garbage bins (such as garbage cans with a foot pedal) are preferred for disposal. • Practicing frequent hand hygiene • Not touching their mouth, nose or eyes with their hands

Practices to reduce close contact when travelling

Whenever possible, passengers are encouraged to:

7 https://www.tc.gc.ca/en/services/rail/documents/2019-2020-AA-36-RAIL_POSTER_11x17_EN_V1.pdf, https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/prevention- risks/about-non-medical-masks-face-coverings.html#a5

14 • Travel during non-peak hours and take shorter trips to avoid prolonged close contact with others8

Additional Useful Links and Resources:

Government of Ontario: ontario.ca/coronavirus

Public Health Ontario: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/diseases-and- conditions/infectious-diseases/respiratory-diseases/novel-coronavirus

Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public- health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html

World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel- coronavirus-2019

Human Resources Professionals Association: https://www.hrpa.ca/Pages/COVID- 19Resources.aspx

Other Government and Agency-issued Resources About COVID-19:

The Ontario Ministry of Health is providing consistent updates on the provincial government’s response to the outbreak, including: • Status of cases in Ontario • Current affected areas • Symptoms and treatments • How to protect yourself and self-isolate • Updated Ontario news on the virus

Public Health Ontario is providing up-to-date resources on COVID-19, including: • Links to evolving public health guidelines, position statements and situational updates • Synopsis of key articles updating on the latest findings related to the virus • Recommendations for use of personal protective equipment • Information on infection prevention and control • Testing information • Other public resources

8 https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/factsheet/factsheet-covid-19-guide- physical-distancing.pdf?la=en

15 Health Canada outlines the actions being taken by the Government of Canada to limit spread of the virus, as well as what is happening in provinces and communities across the country. It also maintains a live update of the number of cases by province.

The World Health Organization is updating the latest guidance and information related to the global outbreak and spread beyond Canadian borders.

It also provides the most up-to-date information on: • Current research and development around the virus • A COVID-19 situation “dashboard” • Emergency preparedness measures • Live media updates on the spread of the virus9

Key References/Sources:

• Ontario Associate Chief Medical Officer of Health: Memo to all transit agencies in Ontario re: COVID-19 precautions on public transportation. Dated May 15, 2020 • Ontario government: Face coverings and face masks. https://www.ontario.ca/page/face-coverings-and-face-masks • Public Services Health & Safety Association: Healthy and Safety Guidance During COVID-19 For Transit Employers. https://www.pshsa.ca/resources/health- and-safety-guidance-during-covid-19-for-transit-employers • Quebec CNESST: Workplace Sanitary Standards Guide for the Public Transportation Sector – COVID-19. https://www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/salle-de- presse/covid-19-info-en/Documents/DC100-2153A_Guide_Public- Transportation.pdf • Transport Canada: Face Coverings for Travelers (Rail): https://www.tc.gc.ca/en/services/rail/documents/2019-2020-AA-36- RAIL_POSTER_11x17_EN_V1.pdf • Government of Canada: Non-medical masks and face coverings: About: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel- coronavirus-infection/prevention-risks/about-non-medical-masks-face- coverings.html#a5

9 Infrastructure Health & Safety Association. Guidance on truck drivers experiencing COVID-19 symptoms in other jurisdictions. 16 The Regional Municipality of York

Regional Council Community and Health Services June 25, 2020

Report of the Commissioner of Community and Health Services and Medical Officer of Health Human Resourcing Requirements for the Public Health COVID-19 Response

1. Recommendations

1. Council authorize the Commissioner, Community and Health Services and the Medical Officer of Health to increase the staffing complement in Public Health by eight permanent full time staff.

2. Council authorize the Commissioner of Community and Health Services and Medical Officer of Health to increase staffing complement with temporary full time staff, as required, to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Summary

This report is prepared to assist Council in carrying out its legislative duties and responsibilities as the board of health under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.

In response to update memos on the Public Health COVID-19 response at Council on April 29, 2020, and Committee of the Whole on June 11, 2020 , the Medical Officer of Health was asked to request any resources required to deliver the response. This report provides information on plans to recruit up to 172 temporary full-time equivalent positions and requests authorization to add eight new permanent full-time in 2020. Additional staff is needed to sustain the response, to meet existing and new recommendations and requirements related to the provincial re-opening of communities, and to be prepared for subsequent epidemic waves of COVID-19.

Key Points:

• Under a provincial Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act order, boards of health are authorized to take reasonably necessary measures to respond to, prevent and alleviate the outbreak of COVID-19, such as employing extra staff or contractors, including for the purposes of performing bargaining unit work

• The province has committed to funding extraordinary costs incurred by Public Health units in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, details on what costs would be eligible for provincial funding have not yet been provided

1 • Public Health’s focus and actions continue to be on protecting the public through case and contact management of confirmed and probable cases, outbreak management, liaising with York Region’s three assessment centres, long-term care and retirement homes and congregate living facilities, and infection prevention and control measures • To support the Public Health COVID-19 response, 15 temporary staff have been hired and two more are in process, ten staff are volunteers and 431 staff have been redeployed; 364 from Public Health and 67 from the rest of the corporation. Many Public Health services have been paused, freeing up staff to support the emergency response

• The Public Health COVID-19 response will likely be required until sufficient numbers of the community are vaccinated. There is the risk of a second wave as early as September 2020, and an estimated six to twelve months from now for medical intervention (e.g. vaccine). Additional staff are required to ensure the response can continue, to address increased service demands associated with re-opening of communities (e.g. restaurant and pool inspections, infection prevention and control audits and compliance inspections of child care settings) and to continue non-COVID- 19 essential public health programs (e.g. Sexual and Blood Borne Infections program and the high risk home visiting through the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program)

• Up to 172 additional temporary full time staff and eight permanent staff in 2020 are required. Permanent positions are recommended because these positions will be required post-COVID-19 based on anticipated higher service levels and to attract suitable candidates to these hard to fill positions, such as Infection Prevention and Control Specialists

3. Background Council received information on Public Health’s emergency response to the COVID-19 global pandemic at the April Regional Council and June Committee of the Whole

April 2020 and June 2020 memoranda provided information on the immediate and emerging outcomes of the Public Health response to COVID-19. Public Health opened its Health Emergency Operations Centre on January 23, 2020 to support the 24/7 response led by the Infectious Diseases Control Division. The Public Health COVID-19 response has included:

• Case and contact management

• Outbreak management

• Surveillance and data analysis

• Infection prevention and control measures

• Risk communication

Human Resourcing Requirements for the Public Health COVID-19 Response 2 • Coordination with health system partners around testing After almost six months of intense effort responding to the emergency there is a need for health inspectors and nurses as the demand for Public Health services is increasing and the economy opens

As the response to the virus expanded, new services were added to the response, such as infection prevention and control audits, mobilization of proactive testing to congregate living facilities and shelters, and compliance inspections for emergency child care settings. In addition to the need to maintain the emergency response in the event there is a second wave and until a vaccine has been widely administered, Public Health will experience an increased demand for service. The backlog of demand for essential services such as sexual health clinics must also be addressed. Public Health has redeployed staff from across the corporation, hired temporary staff, accessed provincial resources and is using volunteers to manage the COVID-19 response

Under an Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act order (Work Deployment Measures for Boards of Health) boards of health are authorized to take necessary measures to respond to, prevent and alleviate the outbreak of COVID-19, including:

• Redeploying staff within different locations in (or between) facilities of the board of health

• Changing the assignment of work, including assigning non-bargaining unit employees or contractors to perform bargaining unit work

• Changing the scheduling of work or shift assignments

• Deferring or cancelling vacations, absences or other leaves, regardless of whether such vacations, absences or leaves are established by statute, regulation, agreement or otherwise

• Employing extra part-time or temporary staff or contractors, including for the purposes of performing bargaining unit work

• Using volunteers to perform work, including to perform bargaining unit work

• Providing appropriate training or education as needed to staff and volunteers to achieve the purposes of a redeployment plan

The provincial emergency order is in effect until June 30, 2020 and may be extended by the Province. Once the order is revoked, however, operational flexibilities afforded by the order will be ceased.

Human Resourcing Requirements for the Public Health COVID-19 Response 3 456 individuals are currently supporting the Public Health response to COVID-19

Addressing the pandemic emergency has taken an extraordinary effort within the Public Health Branch, the Community and Health Services Department and across the corporation. Currently in addition to staff redeployed due to COVID-19 to support enhanced communications, the Access York Call centre, the Region’s two long- term care homes, and new temporary positions in Paramedic Services, the Public Health COVID-19 response has required an additional 456 individuals:

• 364 are Public Health staff redeployed from their regular programs, which have been paused or reduced

• 67 individuals are redeployed from the rest of the corporation

• 15 new staff have been hired on a temporary basis (two more hires are in process) including epidemiologists, public health physicians, public health inspectors, public health nurses and a data analyst, a manager and a supervisor

• 10 are volunteers, either unpaid or paid externally (e.g. medical residents)

To reduce staffing resources required, Public Health began referring a portion of York Region contacts to Public Health Ontario on April 16, 2020 for their assistance to help manage contact and follow-up calls. This support is provided at no cost. Between April 16, 2020 and June 12, 2020 a total of 460 contacts were referred to Public Health Ontario saving 730 hours of York Region staff time.

Public Health also relies on support functions from across the Community and Health Services, Corporate Services and Finance departments. Supports include recruitment, redeployment, data programming, the IT Help desk support, safe space accommodation, staff relocations, procurement, timekeeping, financial tracking, privacy and records management and access to computer hardware, software and systems.

4. Analysis Public Health response to COVID-19 is anticipated to continue into 2021

Based on the provincial framework, it is anticipated a continued, robust Public Health emergency response will be needed until early 2021, as shown in Figure 1 below:

Human Resourcing Requirements for the Public Health COVID-19 Response 4 Figure 1

Potential Phases of COVID-19 in York Region

The range of programming provided in the emergency response will continue to expand in response to needs. Staff anticipate the province will require public health units to be responsible for immunization clinics once the vaccine is available, which will also represent a major workload. The COVID-19 response is active seven days a week resulting in thousands of hours of overtime and little respite for staff redeployed to the response

Staff are working long hours while juggling multiple roles with few or no days off. As of June 5, 2020, Public Health staff working on the COVID-19 response worked more than 28,000 hours of overtime. In addition, approximately 3,100 hours of overtime has been worked by 67 staff redeployed from Community and Health Services and from elsewhere in the corporation to support the response. Up to 172 additional temporary full time staff are required in 2020, with 55 to be hired as soon as possible, and the remainder by early fall or coinciding with the release of staff to their home positions

Recruitment of 55 temporary staff has already begun; 19 Public Health Inspectors and 36 Registered Nurses. Contracts will be set for one year with possible extension. These temporary staff will permit the COVID-19 response to be maintained at the current level over the summer, despite growing demand for public health services in response to reopening. Additional staff will also help reduce overtime costs and vacation banks of other Public Health staff who have been working on the response.

Human Resourcing Requirements for the Public Health COVID-19 Response 5 The proposed staff will support continuation of the emergency response, while responding to re-opening of the economy, resuming some essential public health services, supporting staff well-being, permitting vacations and returning redeployed staff to deliver on other corporate priorities

The requested temporary staff and permanent staff will help reduce overtime costs and vacation balances, while ensuring the emergency COVID-19 response can continue and to support the mental health and well-being of staff. Table 1 summarizes the anticipated temporary staffing requirements, and reasons for the staffing needs are provided in the following sections of this report: Table 1 2020 Additional Temporary Staffing Needs

Response Need Type of Positions Number of Approximate 2020 Estimated Positions (TFT*) Annual Cost ($M) Cost ($M)

Immediate Public Health 55 (recruitment $5.8 $2.9 Response Inspectors and in progress) Requirements Registered Nurses

Fall return of Managers, Up to 50 $5.1 $1.3 Public Health Supervisors, staff to own Registered positions Nurses, Scheduling and Administrative Case Return of Up to 62 $5.6 $2.3 Investigation, corporate staff Outbreak to own positions Management, Epidemiology and Surveillance, Administrative, Data Entry, Records Management, Logistics and Scheduling

Payroll, Departmental 5 $0.5 $0.2 information supports to technology, manage

Human Resourcing Requirements for the Public Health COVID-19 Response 6 Response Need Type of Positions Number of Approximate 2020 Estimated Positions (TFT*) Annual Cost ($M) Cost ($M) increased recruitment staffing support, complement and financial Ministry reporting, requirements privacy compliance and records management

Total: 172 $17.0 $6.7 *TFT is temporary full-time As the economy opens up, demand for Public Health support increases

Provincial requirements for Stage 2 re-opening (June 19, 2020) and Stage 3 re-opening potentially this summer creates additional work for Public Health to provide guidance for re- opening of businesses and messaging to food premises on current best practices including infection prevention control measures. Responsibilities include:

• Responding to requests about the opening of pools, patios and personal service settings

• Preparing for beach water monitoring, conducting pre-inspections for municipal facilities such as pools and infection prevention and providing control support for childcare centres

• Participating in weekly meetings with local municipal bylaw officers in response to requests for additional guidance/interpretation on the opening of businesses

• Responding to public concerns and comments about physical distancing and other infection prevention and control measures in public and commercial settings as they open York Region Public Health plans to resume critical essential services that have been paused as soon as staff resources are available

Since March 2020, Public Health has reduced or paused services to free up staff for the COVID-19 response. Services that continued to be offered, with reduced staffing levels, include:

• Responding to immediate health hazards

• Case management for diseases of public health significance other than COVID-19

Human Resourcing Requirements for the Public Health COVID-19 Response 7 • Harm reduction supply and distribution of naloxone

• Inspections of small water drinking system inspections, rabies risk assessments and investigations and inspections of migrant farming operations

• Maintaining infection prevention and control assessments of all congregate settings, including long-term care homes, retirement homes, group homes, and homes for special care and continue response to work place outbreak clusters

With the additional staff, limited essential Public Health programming may be made available through the summer and fall to:

• Manage infectious disease cases and outbreaks other than COVID-19, including sexual and blood borne infections and tuberculosis

• Increase sexual health programming and clinic capacity for case management

• Resume compliance inspections of personal care settings and food premises base upon a risk assessment (starting with high risk premises)

• Provide infection prevention and control audit and compliance inspections of child care centres, which are now permitted to re-open

• Conduct pre-opening inspections of public pools and spas and commence beach sampling

• Visit high risk children and infants in their homes through the Healthy Babies Healthy Children program

• Increase access to naloxone in the community through the opioids and harm reduction initiatives

As schools plan to re-open, there will be a need to deliver the grade seven school immunization program (Hepatitis B, Meningitis, Human Papillomavirus) and complete data entry into the provincial immunization data base. Preparations for a fall flu season will start which include the requirement to conduct cold chain inspections of physician offices and pharmacies where flu shots will be administered. To permit resumption of critical Public Health services this fall, staff estimate up to 50 additional temporary staff will be required

If the caseload for COVID-19 outbreaks and preparation for fall resumption of additional services is deemed manageable, Public Health may resume further services, which may require hiring up to 50 additional temporary staff to fill some gaps. These staff would replace staff working on the emergency response so they can return to their home positions in Public Health. The actual number of additional temporary staff required may be reduced if Public Health is able to access further resources from the province and/or volunteers.

Human Resourcing Requirements for the Public Health COVID-19 Response 8 The COVID response will benefit from redeployed staff remaining in public health, however, this creates capacity pressure on other Regional operations

Currently 67 staff from other parts of the corporation have been redeployed to maintain the emergency COVID-19 response. Although staffing to support the response is a corporate priority, over time it will be necessary for staff to return to their home positions to deliver on other corporate priorities.

At this time, staff estimate up to 62 of the 67 redeployed corporate staff may be required to remain redeployed to maintain the emergency COVID-19 response. As these redeployed staff have been trained and are now experienced, it is less disruptive to the emergency response if they can remain redeployed until a replacement can be trained and is in place. However, as departments return to providing services that were interrupted, they too will need staff resources.

The senior management team is reviewing all redeployments into Public Health to determine how to reduce the number of redeployed staff who are needed to remain in the emergency response. Where employees cannot be returned to their home position, it is the home department that may need to hire the temporary staff replacements, rather than Public Health. Additional temporary support positions are required to provide administrative supports to the COVID-19 response

The Public Health COVID-19 response relies on support services provided by other parts of the corporation. The nature of the response and the additional staff proposed in this report will place further demands on these support services. Five additional temporary staff are required in Community and Health Services as follows:

• Access and privacy coordinator (one position)

• Software (data) development specialist (one position)

• Staffing support coordinator (one position)

• Accounting clerk intermediate (one position)

• Senior financial advisor (one position)

Public Health will continue to monitor the response, and evolving regulatory and Ministry requirement impacts on essential services to ensure every effort is made in the days, weeks and months ahead to assess the continued need for these staffing hires; reducing temporary staffing as opportunities arise. Further plans to stabilize staff resources will be included as part of the 2021 budget submission; however the increase in temporary staffing may place significant demands on corporate support functions.

Human Resourcing Requirements for the Public Health COVID-19 Response 9 Eight new permanent staff are recommended to address the increased need for infection prevention and control measures, now and going forward

Responding to COVID-19 outbreaks has demonstrated the need for increased infection prevention and control measures in a wide variety of institutional and community settings. In particular, individuals living in congregate settings such as group homes and long-term care homes will need increased training, supports and inspections on an ongoing basis to prevent and control COVID-19 outbreaks. As this increased need will continue to be required even after COVID-19 is managed and because such specialized staff are difficult to attract, this report recommends the addition of eight new permanent full-time positions to the Public Health complement as follows:

• Infection prevention and control specialist (one position)

• Public Health Inspectors with infection prevention and control expertise (two positions)

• Public Health Inspectors with case and outbreak investigation and contact tracing follow up expertise (two positions)

• Manager of Infectious Diseases Control with an outbreak management expertise (one position)

• Public Health Physician (one position)

• Epidemiologist (one position)

5. Financial The proposed temporary staffing outlined in this report is estimated to cost $19.2 million annually and approximately $8.3 million in 2020.

The province has committed to funding extraordinary costs incurred by Public Health units in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the province has not yet provided details of costs that will be deemed eligible for funding it is expected that the costs associated with temporary increased staffing will be eligible for funding. The proposed temporary staffing outlined in this report, including the 17 that have been hired or are in process, is estimated to cost $19.2 million annually and approximately $8.3 million in 2020. A 2020 budget pressure may result if the province does not fully fund the additional costs of the COVID-19 response. Staff has implemented processes to identify and track costs to support a funding request to the Ministry at the appropriate time.

The addition of eight permanent full time positions outlined in this report will cost approximately $1.2 million annually, and the 2020 costs will be approximately 0.5 million. It is anticipated that the 2020 costs would also be eligible for provincial funding. Provincial funding for these positions after the pandemic response has ended is unclear and tax levy funding may be required.

Human Resourcing Requirements for the Public Health COVID-19 Response 10 Information included in a Memorandum to the Committee of the Whole on June 11, 2020 “Financial Impacts of COVID-19” provided an estimate of projected costs of COVID-19- related impacts totaling approximately $129 million in 2020. The projection was based on budget impacts incurred to date of $50.02 million, or approximately $4.29 million per week, on average.

The estimated costs of the new staffing resources proposed in this report were not included in the $129 million projection, as the Public Health staffing information was still being finalized. The Memorandum identified a number of potential risk areas that could affect projected costs in 2020. One of the risk areas was the expected initial need to fill up to 56 temporary positions to replace Public Health staff expected to return to other essential operations, at a cost of approximately $3 million in 2020.

6. Local Impact

All actions taken by Public Health in response to COVID-19 are for health and protection of residents across all local municipalities. Public Health continues to respond to the evolving needs of the COVID-19 global pandemic in conjunction with planning for a sustained response while increasing necessary essential services. Public Health will continue to engage local and internal partners in the planning processes as the COVID-19 response evolves in our communities in the coming months.

7. Conclusion

Public Health will continue to monitor COVID-19 to ensure sufficient staffing availability to continue our response, while providing essential services and addressing the new demands that result from reopening. A sustainable staffing plan will assist Public Health efforts in the health and protection of York Region residents until a vaccine or other medical intervention is readily available. Council will receive regular updates on the actions and outcomes of COVID-19 through Public Health and the Medical Officer of Health.

For more information on this report, please contact Dr. Karim Kurji, Medical Officer of Health at 1-877-464-9675 ext. 74012. Accessible formats or communication supports are available

upon request.

Recommended by: Katherine Chislett Commissioner of Community and Health Services

Human Resourcing Requirements for the Public Health COVID-19 Response 11 Recommended by:

Dr. Karim Kurji Medical Officer of Health

Approved for Submission: Bruce Macgregor Chief Administrative Officer

June 22, 2020 #11011167

Human Resourcing Requirements for the Public Health COVID-19 Response 12 YORK REGIONAL COUNCIL RESOLUTION FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES – BIG CITIES MAYORS’ CAUCUS EXPANSION

WHEREAS, the role of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is to unite local governments of all sizes; shape the national agenda; provide unique tools; build local capacity; defend municipality interests and connect local leaders.

WHEREAS, FCM has a Big City Mayors’ Caucus (BCMC) that brings together representatives from 22 of Canada’s biggest cities, offering a forum for policy development on a range of issues affecting Canada’s largest centres.

WHEREAS, York Region’s two largest municipalities, the City of Markham (pop. 349,007) and City of Vaughan (pop. 331,573) are within the population ranges of the current 22 BCMC members, which range from the smallest municipality: St. John’s (pop. 212,433) to the largest: City of Toronto (pop. 2,965,713).

WHEREAS, York Region communities rank among the most diverse in Canada, with 49% of the population self-identifying as belonging to a visible minority, in contrast to Ontario’s 29% and Canada’s 22%, respectively.

WHEREAS, as of December 2019, York Region, with an estimated population of 1.2 million residents, 52,000 business establishments (employers), and 640,000 jobs is among Canada’s largest and fastest growing municipal jurisdictions without representation on FCM’s BCMC

WHEREAS, citizens’ needs can be more inclusively reflected in federal policies and programs through better representation of the Canadian population and York Region’s mosaic of cultures, stories, and voices can provide BCMC membership greater diversity and representation

THEREFORE be it resolved that:

1. York Region Council seek to have at least one of its local municipalities included as a member of the Big Cities Mayors’ Caucus (BCMC).

2. This resolution be forwarded to the FCM Board of Directors, in addition to the 22 current BCMC members seeking approval of a BCMC expansion to include representation from York Region.

Dated: June 25, 2020

York Region Populations Compared to All BCMC Member Cities

Source: Various municipal 2019 estimates and Statistics Canada 2019 Population Estimates for CDs and CMAs and Economic Regions.

*York Region Data Source (as of December 31, 2019): York Region, Corporate Services, Long Range Planning Branch, based on Statistics Canada data and CMHC Housing Completion data.

Compared to All Cities Province Population Toronto ON 2,965,713 Montreal QC 2,052,910 Calgary AB 1,285,700 Ottawa ON 1,028,500 Edmonton AB 972,200 Winnipeg MB 763,900 Mississauga ON 756,123 Vancouver BC 685,885 Brampton ON 659,704 Hamilton ON 574,263 Surrey BC 557,310 Quebec QC 546,424 London ON 545,441 Halifax NS 440,348 Laval QC 438,973 Windsor ON 354,917 Markham* ON 349,007 Vaughan* ON 331,573 Gatineau QC 287,868 Saskatoon SK 272,200 Regina SK 261,684 Kitchener ON 261,610 Longueuil QC 249,997 St. John's NL 212,433 Richmond Hill* ON 209,538

#11136609 1 BCMC Membership Representation by Province – Comparison of Current Status, Proposal with York Region, against Canadian Population

BCMC Membership Representation by Province Comparison of Current Status, Proposal with York Region, against Canadian Population

% BCMC Membership (Current) % of BCMC Membership with York Region (Proposal) % of Total Canadian Population

39% 39% 36%

23%22% 23%

14% 12% 9% 9% 9% 9% 9% 9%

5% 4% 5% 4% 5% 4% 3% 3% 4% 1% 2% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

Ontario Quebec Saskatchewan Alberta British Columbia Newfoundland Nova Scotia Manitoba Prince Edward New Brunswick Island

#11136609 2