APHAn issue of interest to the Green Party did not move on the Algoma Public Health table on Tuesday. A resolution was included in last night’s agenda asking the board to endorse the concept of a basic income guarantee. The Greens have been campaigning for a guaranteed minimum income during the federal election campaign. A pilot project of basic income for working age adults by the provincial and federal governments in Dauphin, Manitoba achieved positive results in the 1970’s. This was evident by several improved health and education outcomes. But there were two members of the APH board who were not overly impressed with the idea. Elliot Lake representative Candace Martin and Thessalon/Huron Shores rep Dennis Thompson were both hesistant and apprehensive on what was described as a ‘high level issue’. But acting Medical Officer of Health Doctor Penny Sutcliffe mentioned the Dauphin pilot in support of the idea, adding that the basic income was ‘not just a subsidy’.

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Public Health board members passed a resolution regarding lowering smoking rates in Algoma District. The health unit plans to reduce smoking rates by 5 percent by involving various community partners representing health care, education and the private sector. It will also ask all communities in the district to support this initiative. One expected benefit would be that Algoma’s smoking rates would fall more into line with the provincial average. There is a plan to work on lowering the rates through a communication strategy, aimed at smokers to make quit smoking attempts.

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Members of the Algoma Public Health board will decide on their own Code of Conduct at their next meeting. The issue will be part of the October meeting agenda — the code mentions at least nine stipulations that include adhering to all board bylaws and policies to complying with conflict of interest guidelines and to declare conflicts when appropriate. A Freedom of Information policy will also be talked about at that time. The matter could have dealt with on Tuesday night, but a request was made to go into more specifics before making any final decision. Particular concern was expressed over information announced during closed sessions.