The Role of the Chief Public Health Officer

The Chief Public Health Officer

In 2004, the Government of Canada created the Public Health Agency and the position of Chief Public Health Officer to improve public health in Canada and strengthen the country's ability to respond to public health threats, outbreaks and emergencies. Canada's first Chief Public Health Officer is Dr. David Butler-Jones.

The Public Health Agency is a department of the Government of Canada, and is headed by the federal Minister of Health.

The Chief Public Health Officer:

• Is the deputy responsible for the Public Health Agency of Canada, reporting to the Minister of Health.
• Is the federal government's lead public health professional, providing advice to the Minister of Health and Government of Canada on health issues.
• Manages the Public Health Agency's day-to-day activities.
• Works with other governments, jurisdictions, agencies, organizations, and countries on health matters.

You can find more on the legislation behind the Chief Public Health Officer and the Public Health Agency of Canada here (http://www2.parl.gc.ca/content/hoc/Bills/391/Government/C-5/C-5_4/C-5_4.pdf ).

Speaking to Canadians

One of the Chief Public Health Officer's roles is as a communicator of public health information. The Chief Public Health Officer:

• Speaks to Canadians, health professionals, stakeholders, and the public about issues affecting the population's health. This is done directly through conferences and meetings, as well as through the media and the Public Health Agency of Canada's web site.
• Is required by law to report annually to the Government of Canada on the state of public health in our country.
• Can report on any public health issue, as needed.

In an Emergency

In a public health emergency, such as an outbreak or natural disaster, the Chief Public Health Officer:

• Briefs and advises Canada's Minister of Health and others as appropriate.
• Works with counterparts in other departments, jurisdictions, and countries, as well as with experts and elected officials, to communicate with Canadians about how to protect themselves and their families.
• Personally delivers public health information to Canadians via media appearances, public statements, updates to the Public Health Agency web site, and columns and public advertisements in daily and community newspapers.
• Provides direction to Public Health Agency staff, including medical professionals, scientists, and epidemiologists, as they plan and respond to the emergency.
• Leads daily national teleconferences as appropriate with federal government scientists and experts to share information and plan outbreak responses.
• Coordinates with jurisdictions through regular teleconferences with Canada's provincial and territorial Chief Medical Officers of Health and others.