- Start playing the video
- Click CC at bottom right
- Click the gear icon to its right
- Click Subtitles/CC
- Click Auto-translate
- Select language you want
Toronto Board of Health Honors Dr. de Villa’s Legacy and Reviews Annual Health Progress
Toronto’s Board of Health convened on November 18th to address critical health issues while bidding farewell to Dr. Eileen de Villa, who will step down as Medical Officer of Health at year’s end. Chaired by City Councillor Chris Moise, the meeting underscored Toronto’s commitment to tackling its most urgent public health challenges.
Fred Alvarado – Local Journalism Initiative
Key agenda items included the appointment of Dr. de Villa’s successor, with the hiring committee and Phelps Group presenting a recommendation now under review. This leadership transition marks a pivotal moment as Toronto navigates complex health priorities.
The Board also reviewed the 2024 progress report for Our Health, Our City, a five-year strategy addressing mental health, substance use, and harm reduction. Milestones include the citywide expansion of the Toronto Community Crisis Service, increased affordable housing initiatives, and enhanced 24/7 crisis supports.
A significant focus remains on the drug toxicity epidemic, reaffirmed as a public health crisis. The Board urged the provincial government to sustain supervised consumption sites, integrate them with Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Hubs, and fund a new Substance Use Crisis Centre.
These discussions resonate strongly with Regent Park, where harm reduction services are vital to community well-being. As Dr. de Villa’s tenure concludes, her contributions leave a profound legacy for public health in Toronto.
Add new comment
FOCUS Media Arts Centre (FOCUS) is a not-for-profit organization that was established in 1990 to counter negative media stereotypes of low income communities and provide relevant information to residents living in the Regent Park area and surrounding communities.
We seek to empower marginalized individuals and under represented communities to have a voice, through the use of professional training, mentorships and participatory based media practices that enable the sharing of stories, experiences and perspectives on relevant matters and issues. In brief our mandate is to empower marginalized individuals and under-serviced communities to have a voice and tell their own stories.
Recent Media
Social Planning Toronto Hosts 2025 City Budget Virtual Town Hall Highlighting Community Concerns
Toronto Unveils 2025 Budget: 6.9% Tax Hike to Fund Enhanced City Services
Let’s Talk Budget: Engaging Wards 10 and 13 at Toronto’s 2025 Budget Town Hall
We encourage comments which further the dialogue about the stories we post. Comments will be moderated and posted if they follow these guidelines:
The Community Media Portal reserves the right to reject any comments which do not adhere to these minimum standards.