Report: A Public Health Agency for Canada

Working Group on a Public Health Agency for Canada April, 2004

• Background
• Introduction
• I. A Pan-Canadian Public Health Network
  • Building a Foundation for Intergovernmental Harmony and Cooperation
  • Network Mandate
  • Network Design Features & Elements
  • MOUs/Agreements
• II. A Chief Public Health Officer for Canada
• III. A Public Health Agency for Canada
  A. Agency Structure and Operating Principles

  • A Distinct Agency
  • Operating Principles

  B. Mandate and Functions

  • Core Mandate
  • Specific Roles
  • Strengthening and Building from the Base

  C. Organizational and Human Resource Management Issues

  • Agency Core Structural Characteristics
  • Building an Organizational and Program Structure
  • Organization/Program Review
  • The Agency as a "Separate Employer"

  D. Ensuring Effective Accountability and Transparency

  • Reports and Studies
  • A Formal Advisory Board
  • Other Expert Advisory Processes
  • Citizen Engagement

  E. Strengthening Formal Relationships

  • Managing the Agency-Health Canada Relationship
  • Other Federal Departments and Agencies
  • International Collaboration

  F. Location and Regional Presence
  
  G. Legislation
• IV. Conclusion
• Appendix 1

Background

This is the final report from the Working Group on a Public Health Agency for Canada, and represents the completion of its activities. The Working Group was established by the former Minister of Health, Anne MacLellan, in December 2003 to advise the Minister on "... the creation of a federal agency for public health, a Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) and any necessary advisory board or committees."

The work of the group was guided by a steering committee composed of Health Canada's senior executive team. The group also drew upon advice from an informal group of independent experts and consulted with provincial and territorial health officials.

The report is divided into three sections:

• Section 1 outlines the rationale and proposed elements of a new Pan-Canadian Public Health Network that would provide the foundation for strengthened intergovernmental collaboration on public health matters.
• Section 2 outlines the working group's recommendations regarding the preferred roles and responsibilities of the new CPHO;
• Section 3 outlines advice on the mandate, structure and operations of a new Public Health Agency for Canada.

We wish to thank the Working Group for the time and effort they have put into this excellent report. Its input has been, and continues to be, of value as work progresses toward the creation of the Agency. All the recommendations of this report have been or will be considered. We anticipate that some aspects may evolve over time. This will allow us to make the best possible decisions to ensure that the Public Health Agency of Canada will become an efficient and effective public health organization for Canadians. It is important to note that this does not mean that every recommendation has been or will be implemented. No decision regarding the Agency is made without a thorough review of all available options.

September 2004

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