The Grey Bruce Public Health Unit. (Matt Hermiz/Bayshore Broadcasting)
Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health is temporarily assuming control of the Grey Bruce Board of Health, after a review identified “serious concerns” about the board’s “ability to fulfill its responsibilities.”
Dr. Kieran Moore announced the change in a statement sent out late Thursday afternoon. He says concerns were identified following an independent assessment conducted under the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
“These concerns include issues related to governance, leadership, financial management and human resources,” Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer says in a statement. “After careful review and in light of recent developments, I have issued a direction under section 77.1 of the Act to temporarily assume the powers of the Board of Health for the Grey Bruce Health Unit.”
The move by the provincial government comes just over a week after all seven municipally-appointed members of Grey Bruce’s Board of Health were dismissed for unknown reasons. That left the Board of Health with only four remaining members — all provincial appointees. A request sent by Bayshore News earlier this week to the health unit’s communications department to arrange an interview with board chair Nick Saunders went unanswered.
The Board of Health oversees Grey Bruce Public Health — the region’s public health unit.
Moore says the decision to assume control of the Grey Bruce Board of Health was not made lightly: “It reflects our commitment to the residents of Grey and Bruce counties, who rely on uninterrupted, high-quality public health services.”
A special advisor has also been named by Moore to work with Grey Bruce’s Board of Health to “help restore effective leadership, rebuild key relationships, and support long-term stability.”
“These changes are temporary and focused solely on strengthening governance and accountability,” Moore says. “They do not reflect on the quality or integrity of public health services being delivered.”
The Chief Medical Officer of Health assures “Grey Bruce Public Health remains fully operational.”