Committee of the Whole recommends adoption of the following motion:
Whereas, in just a few short months the Covid-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the way we live, work, play and plan for the future; and,
Whereas, working remotely has created immense challenges for governments, businesses and employees, and has heightened the requirement for more integrated systems and advanced collaboration/monitoring tools and videoconferencing technologies to ensure productivity; and,
Whereas, cities, communities, businesses and workplaces are in the midst of an unprecedented digital transformation driven by the rise of mobile and connected Internet of Things (IOT) systems, the explosion of the secured delivery and management of censored data, and the emergence of automated integrated business solutions and technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions; and,
Whereas, Government and cities need to consider the role of IOT/technologies and delivering services transparently, efficiently and with accountability to its citizens;
Therefore, be it 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; and,
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; and
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; and,
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; and
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; and,
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.