The Thunder Bay District Board of Health is the governing body of the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, and is established by the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA), RSO 1990, and Regulations. Boards of health are the governing body and policy maker of health units. Boards of health are ultimately responsible through the medical officer of health for all operations within their health unit, and are accountable to the communities within their jurisdiction and to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
Public health programs and services are intended to prevent the spread of disease, and to promote and protect health. All boards of health have a legislated duty to ensure that the public health programs and services required under HPPA are provided to the citizens of their communities.
The Ontario Public Health Standards and Protocols published by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, set out the minimum requirements for fundamental public health programs and services for boards of health.
Board Structure
The HPPA regulates the composition of boards of health (Part VI, S. 48 and S. 49). Under Section 49 (2) of the HPPA, there shall be not fewer than three and not more than thirteen municipal members of each board of health.
The Board of Health of the Thunder Bay District is comprised of 12 municipal members (Ontario Regulation 559, Section 27) in addition to three positions appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in General.
Provincial Appointments
Under Section 49 (3) of the HPPA, the Lieutenant Governor in General may appoint one or more persons as members of a board of health, but the number of members so appointed shall be less than the number of municipal members of the board of health. The Thunder Bay District Board of Health currently has three appointed positions by the Lieutenant Governor in General.
The appointment of these positions is handled through the Public Appointments Secretariat (PAS) of the Provincial Government.
Those community members who are interested in sitting on the Thunder Bay District Board of Health are invited to visit the PAS website .
Final appointments are at the discretion of the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
If you have questions, please contact the Executive Assistant to the Medical Officer of Health.
Board of Health Responsibilities
The Board shall:
- Establish general policies and procedures which govern the operation of the health unit;
- Be accountable to the community for ensuring that its health needs are addressed by the appropriate programs and ensuring that the health unit is well managed;
- Establish overall objectives and priorities for the organization in its provision of health programs and services, to meet the needs of the community;
- Appoint a full-time Medical Officer of Health and may appoint one or more the Associate Medical Officers of Health with the approval of the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care; and
- Be responsible for assessing the performance of the Medical Officer of Health.
Board Member Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the Members of the Thunder Bay District Board of Health include:
- having a commitment to and an understanding of the purpose, policies and programs of the health unit;
- representing the health unit in the community;
- maintaining a clear understanding of the financial position of the health unit and ensuring that the finances are adequate and responsibly managed;
- serving in a volunteer capacity without regard for remuneration or profit;
- being able to work and participate within a group, as a team;
- being supportive of the organization and its management;
- attending board meetings and actively participating, including service on committees and as officers;
- evaluating Board of Health performance;
- knowing and maintaining the lines of communication between the board and staff;
- being responsible for continuing self-education and growth;
- being familiar with local resources;
- being aware of changing community trends and needs;
- attending related community functions; and
- having a working knowledge of parliamentary procedure.
Board Meetings & Minutes
Generally, the Regular Meetings of the Thunder Bay District Board of Health are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, September – June, at 12:30 pm in the Boardroom of the Health Unit. The Board may change, by resolution, the date, time and location of any meeting.
The Minutes of the Regular Meetings of the Board of Health are distributed to member municipalities and posted to the Health Unit website upon ratification by the Board.
Please see the side bar for access to agendas and minutes of the Board of Health from 2005 to the current year.
For other Board of Health information please contact the Executive Assistant to the Medical Officer of Health