1 The New Public Health Agency of Canada Association of Public Health Epidemiologists in Ontario 2004 Annual Conference October 4, 2004

2 Background Very busy year in public health Key Canadian public health issues – SARS, West Nile Virus & BSE-Mad Cow (Walkerton ) Wide spread public & media attention Governments (Canada & around the world), science community, non-government organizations, health sector, private sector all involved Recommendations from major committee reports (e.g., Naylor & Kirby) on how to improve Canada’s public health capacity F/P/T Health Ministers identified public health a top priority

3 Background: December 2003 – Federal Minister of State for Public Health position created and announced (Dr. Carolyn Bennett) Federal 2004 budget announced increased funding to strengthen Canada’s public health system First Ministers’ Meeting, September 13-15, 2004

Federal Budget New Investments Committed $665 million initial funding to strengthen public health $100 million: support front-line public health capacity $300 million: New Vaccine Programs $100 million: improved surveillance systems $165 million over 2 years: other federal public health activities (e.g., strengthen preparedness against infectious diseases, create emergency response teams, National Collaborating Centres for Public Health)

5 First Ministers’ Meeting September 13-15, 2004 All governments recognize public health efforts on health promotion, disease and injury prevention critical Achieve better health outcomes & reduce pressure on the health care system Committed to accelerate work to improve public health across Canada -

6 First Ministers’ Meeting September 13-15, year action plan signed to include : pan-Canadian Public Health strategy Adequate financial resources Evidence-based benchmarks to monitor progress Human Resource action plan: interprofessional training investment in post-secondary education credentialing of health professionals Collaboration with all government levels, health sectors & stakeholders

7 September 24, 2004 Prime Minister Martin’s announcement first-ever Chief Public Health Officer of Canada appointed (Dr. David Butler-Jones) Public Health Agency of Canada officially created

8 Why a new Public Health Agency of Canada? Public health key to overall health strategy Provide clear federal leadership & accountability to manage public health Strengthen collaboration with provinces & territories, public health experts & citizens Play major role in public health research Focus: emergency preparedness & response, infectious & chronic disease prevention, health promotion and control & injury prevention Share Canadian expertise with international community

9 Public Health Agency of Canada Health Canada’s Population & Public Health Branch provides the backbone of the Agency Two headquarters: Winnipeg & Ottawa plus regional offices and laboratories across Canada Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) located in Winnipeg Work with a new pan-Canadian Public Health Network & National Collaborating Centres for Public Health

10 Health Canada & the Agency Health Canada provides –National leadership on health policy development. –Health regulations. –Administration of the Canada Health Act. –Health services for First Nations and Inuit. The PH Agency provides –Emergency preparedness and response. –Infectious and chronic disease prevention and control. –Injury prevention and the promotion of good health. –Collaboration and consultation on all public health issues. –Establishing the Pan- Canadian Network.

11 pan-Canadian Public Health Network Serve as a key mechanism to: Collaborate on public health Facilitate national approaches for policy & planning Join together public health experts from across Canada

12 National Collaborating Centres for Public Health 6 National Collaborating Centres will be established: Determinants of Health (Atlantic Canada) Public Policy & Risk Assessment (Quebec) Infrastructure, Info-structure & New Tools Development (Ontario) Infectious Diseases (Prairies) Environmental Health (British Columbia) Aboriginal Health (British Columbia)

13 Purpose of the National Collaborating Centres Provide national focal points for key priority areas in public health with provinces & territories, academics, non-governmental organizations and federal government Build on established regional expertise Accelerate public health research & best practices

14 Ontario and Nunavut Region 30 year history of federal regional work in health promotion and disease prevention (e.g., children’s health, seniors’ health, chronic and infectious disease prevention) Optimal regional presence and responsibilities to be determined (e. g. will continue to link with regional stakeholders, including the Province, to analyse regional developments)

15 Ontario and Nunavut Region Two regional operations: the Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses in Guelph offices of the former PPHB Regional Office located in Toronto, Kitchener, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Nepean

16 Transition Timelines Phase 1 – Establish Public Health Agency & appoint Chief Public Health Officer for Canada (completed) Phase 2 – Develop proposed Legislation for the Agency (Legislated Mandate) – to Parliament Spring 2005 Phase 3 – Post Legislation – 2005 & beyond F/P/T Task Groups to provide direction

17 Public Health Changes in Canada Change in federal public health organization & leadership Significant new public health federal investments F/P/T agreements to work together Great optimism for public health in Canada

18 Together, we WILL make a difference to build a stronger public health foundation!

19 For More Information………… Visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website: or link from the Health Canada website: