Table 1.
ᅟHow the presence and degree of advisory, communication, and management roles for the CMOH vary considerably across Canada
| Legislation | Advisory role | Communication role | Management role | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | Public Health Act, SBC 2008 c 28 | Must advise Minister and officials in an independent manner (s. 66(1)) | Can make a report to the public (s. 66(2)) | May order a person to take preventative measures in an emergency (s. 56(1)) |
| Alberta | Public Health Act, RSA 2000 c P-37 | Recommendations to Minister and regional health authorities (s. 14(1)(a)) | Not indicated | Notifies Minister of emergencies (s. 3.1); gives directions to regional health authorities (s. 14(1)(d)) |
| Saskatchewan | The Public Health Act, SS 1994, c P-37.1 | Not indicated | Not indicated | May approve orders of medical health officers (s. 2.2) |
| Manitoba | Public Health Act, SM 2006 c 14 | Advise Minister on his or her own initiative at request (s. 11(1)) |
Report to Minister every 5 years (s.14(1)) |
May issue: directions to regional health authorities (s. 67(2)(a)); advisories affecting 2 or more health regions (s. 23) |
| Ontario | Health Protection and Promotion Act, RSO 1990 c H7 | Advises Minister of immediate outbreak risks (s.3) | Can make any reports to the public (s.81(7)) | May direct persons engaged by a board of health (s.2(b)) |
| Quebec | Public Health Act, RSQ 2001 c S-2.2; Act Respecting the Minister of Health and Social Services c M-19.2 | Advises and assists the Minister and Deputy Minister in the exercise of their responsibilities in public health (M 19.2, 5.1) | Prepares report, submitted to the Minister and made public (S-2.2, s.10) | May give orders during a public health emergency (S-2.2, s.124) |
| New Brunswick | Public Health Act, SNB 1998 c P-22.4 | Not indicated | Not indicated | Not indicated |
| Nova Scotia | Health Protection Act, SNS 2004 , c 4 | Not indicated | Not indicated |
Directs medical officers (s.10); may implement measures to mitigate emergencies (s. 53(2)) |
| Prince Edward Island | Public Health Act, RSPEI 1988 c P-30.1 | Advises Minister to take special measures (49(2)) | Not indicated | Issues directions to institutions (s. 49(2)) |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | N/A | Not indicated | Not indicated | Not indicated |
| Canada | Public Health Agency of Canada Act SC 2006 c 5 | Provides Minister with advice developed on a scientific basis (s.7(1)(1.1)); submits annual report (s.12(1)) | May communicate with the public, voluntary organizations or the private sector (s. 7(3)) | Acts as the lead health professional for the government in relation to public health (s. 7(1)) |