Board of Health Meeting for Northeastern Public Health
Held on September 25, 2025 – Microsoft Teams (MS Teams)
Municipal Members:
- Mark Wilson, Temiskaming Shores
- Andrew Marks, City of Timmins
- Jeff Laferriere, Temiskaming Shores
- Carol Lowery, Rural South: Armstrong, Brethour, Casey, Cobalt, Coleman, Harley, Harris, Hilliard, Hudson, Kerns, Latchford, Temagami, Thornloe
- Paul Kelly, Rural Central South: Charlton & Dack, Chamberlain, Englehart, Evanturel, Gauthier, James, Larder Lake, McGarry, Matachewan
- Marc Dupuis, Rural North: Fauquier-Strickland, Hornepayne, Hearst, Mattice Val Cote, Moonbeam, Opasatika, Val Rita Harty
- Casey Owens, Kirkland Lake
- Peter Politis, Cochrane, Smooth Rock Falls
- Savion Nakogee, Rural Far North: Moosonee, James Bay and Hudson Bay region
- Cindy Marks-Campbell, Provincial Appointee
- Todd Steis, Provincial Appointee
- David Lowe, Provincial Appointee
- Tory Delaurier, Rural Central North: Iroquois Falls, Black River Matheson
- Suzanne Perras, Provincial Appointee
- Curtis Arthur, Provincial Appointee
- Rock Whissell, City of Timmins
Northeastern Staff Members:
- Dr. Lianne Catton, Medical Officer of Health/Chief Executive Officer
- Randy Winters, Director of Corporate and Protection Services
- Lori McCord, Executive Assistant
Regrets:
- Michelle Boileau, City of Timmins
- Gary Fortin, Kapuskasing
- Cathy Dwyer, Provincial Appointee, Resigned, Awaiting Provincial Confirmation
- Rosa Montico-Reimer, Director of Finance
1.1 CALL TO ORDER
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Boileau called the meeting to order at 4:08 pm.
1.2 APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION #41-R-2025
Moved by: Andrew Marks
Seconded by: Marc Dupuis
That the agenda for the Board of Health meeting on September 25, 2025, be approved.
CARRIED
1.3 DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE
None declared.
2.0 PREVIOUS MINUTES
2.1 NEPH BOARD OF HEALTH MINUTES – June 12, 2025
MOTION #42-R-2025
Moved by: Paul Kelly
Seconded by: Jeff Laferriere
That the Board of Health approve the minutes for the meeting dated June 12, 2025.
CARRIED
3.0 AGENDA ITEMS FOR INFORMATION, DISCUSSION, DECISION
3.1 INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATE - PINE ST. TIMMINS
Dr. Catton provided an update of the Pine St. Timmins HVAC system, the work completed to date and measures taken to reduce impacts on client and patient services. The original RFP did not include the boiler replacement but was identified as necessary and urgent. The timeline for expected completion is the end of October.
MOTION #43-R-2025
Moved by: Andrew Marks
Seconded by: Jeff Laferriere
That the Board of Health approve the payment of $158,327.07 to N. Lacroix Plumbing and Heating for the installation of the boiler system.
CARRIED
3.2 CAPITAL PROJECT - TIMMINS
Dr. Catton presented an update of the capital project. An overview of increased concerns that are exacerbated by current infrastructure was shared. A project status update has been provided to the Ministry. A site selection study will be reviewed, and an overview of next steps moving forward is planned. Recruitment of a project manager was unsuccessful. The team is looking at other potential opportunities. A small Board working group will be selected to support some of the next steps in the capital framework application process. An email will be shared with more information. The Board will continue to be informed as needed. The enclosed presentation summarizes the main points shared for information purposes.
3.3 BOARD ATTENDANCE REPORT
The attendance report was provided to the Board for information purposes.
3.4 NORTHERN ONTARIO HIGHWAY SAFETY
Vice Chair Wilson shared that FONOM has initiated a proposal looking at significant improvements in northern highways and has made a submission to the Major Projects Office – Building Canada Act. Dr. Catton advised that highway safety in Northern Ontario has been a long-standing concern for the Board, the Management team, and has often been flagged at local, regional, and provincial levels during local emergency responses. Legacy PHU had completed work on a highway safety report; and it is being updated to reflect NEPH. The report along with a resolution, with reference to the work that FONOM has put forward, will be brought forward at the next meeting of the Board.
3.5 BOARD MEMBER ATTENACNE TO WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCES ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES AGM CONFERENCE UPDATES
Dr. Catton and Board members Perras, Marks, and Lowe attended alPHa’s AGM in June. Board members reported that the conference was an excellent opportunity to connect, participate and learn. Dr. Catton shared that Sue Perras, received an award from the Board of Health Section for her long-term dedication to public health. An important session was held on Indigenous engagement, flagging responsibilities to the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action, highlighting continued need for cultural mindfulness training at the Board level. Dr. Catton moderated an Indigenous Engagement session with Dr. Nicole Blackman the Chief Operating Officer, of Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC), and Leonore Tavares, Manager, Indigenous and Intergovernmental Unit Accountability and Liaison Branch, Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health. Vice Chair Wilson congratulated Sue Perras for the recognition received from alPHa.
4.0 MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH/CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER REPORT
Dr. Catton provided an update on the organization and shared recent highlights of services and programs. The enclosed presentation summarizes the main points shared for information purposes. Vice Chair Wilson thanked Dr. Catton for her report.
5.0 NEPH MERGER-TRANSITION REPORT
Dr. Catton provided an update on the merger transition. The enclosed presentation summarizes the main points shared for information purposes. Vice Chair Wilson thanked Dr. Catton for her report.
6.0 CLOSED SESSION
The Board went into a closed session at 5:38 pm.
MOTION #44-R-2025
Moved by: David Lowe
Seconded by: Andrew Marks
That the Board of Health move in camera. to a closed session as outlined in the Ontario Municipal Act, 2001, c.25, s 239 (s) (a) security of a property (e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before tribunals affecting the Board (b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including Board employees.
- Program Update
- Inquest
- Personnel
CARRIED
The Board of Health rose from the closed session at 6:00 pm.
MOTION #45-R-2025
Moved by: Andrew Marks
Seconded by: Casey Owens
That the Board of Health for the Northeastern Health Unit rise with report
CARRIED
MOTION #46-R-2025
Moved by: Rock Whissell
Seconded by: Sue Perras
That the Board of Health receive the reports for information purposes.
CARRIED
Mr. Politis and Mrs. Lowery left the meeting at 6:11 pm.
7.0 CORRESPONDENCE
The correspondence was received for information purposes. Dr. Catton highlighted receipt of appointment from the Minister of Health. The budget timeline letter from the City of Temiskaming Shores was discussed. A historical comparison of legacy PHU and THU budget delivery timelines was provided with notation that budget approval has not often been finalized in the Fall for either legacy health unit. Due to ongoing merger complexities and competing challenges, the budget for 2026 will not be approved until the new year. While it may take a few years to get end-state merged stabilization, once there, a goal would be to have a budget presented to the Board in October/November annually. Administration did note a letter would be sent to municipalities earlier with an interim levy for 2026. The Board supported a letter from the Chair to the City of Temiskaming Shores addressing the timelines. Vice Chair Wilson highlighted the excellent recommendations and information in NEPH’s Submission to the third legislative review of the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act.
8.0 DATES OF NEXT MEETING
Next meeting of the Board of Health to be held on October 23, 2025 at 4:00 pm.
9.0 ADJOURNMENT
MOTION #47-R-2025
Moved by: Andrew Marks
Seconded by: Paul Kelly
That the meeting of the Board of Health adjourns at 6:30 pm.
CARRIED