November 2009 - Our Voice in Action

OPHA members pass three key resolutions at AGM

Members of the Ontario Public Health Association weighed in on three important issues through the resolution and position paper process at their Annual General Meeting held November 2, 2009.  

OPHA adopted a position statement on the fluoridation of municipal drinking water and recommends water fluoridation as a safe, effective and economical public health measure to prevent dental carries in all age groups.   This resolution reinforces the May 26, 2009 public statement by Dr. David Williams, Chief Medical Officer (A) that community water fluoridation “…is an effective public measure that reduces social inequities in health.  It helps to contain the costs of health care in Ontario.  It benefits all residents in a community, and for these reasons we fully expect that this important practice will continue for many years to come so that Ontarians can enjoy lasting health benefits”. 

In another resolution, OPHA calls on the Ontario Government, who made a commitment to invest $135 million dollars over three years in a dental program for low income Ontarians as part of its Provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy, to keep its commitment to implement a dental program to provide basic dental care or at the very least pain relief for adults and older adults who are unable to access dental care.

A third resolution calls for the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (OAHPP) and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) to consult with public health units on the renewal, modernization and proposed restructuring of public health laboratory services provided by the public health units; to fully fund health units to fill existing testing gaps that have resulted from removal of services; and, to provide public health units with up-to-date environmental standards and guidelines related to laboratory testing. 

All OPHA Members may submit Position Papers and Resolutions for consideration by the membership at the Annual General Meeting. Refer to the guidelines and submission process outlined on our website.