July 26, 2026
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Jim Pine and Dr. Eileen de Villa, special advisors to Ontario's chief medical officer of health, Kieran Moore, have provided a final update on their work, with respect to Grey Bruce Public Health.
Last August, Moore temporarily assumed the powers of the board of health under Section 77.1 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act to ensure essential public health services continued while concerns about the board's ability to govern, were addressed.
In a press release, issued Friday, the special advisors stated that Moore's direction has now been rescinded, and decision-making authority has been returned to the board.
A special meeting of the board was held Friday where Kincardine mayor Kenneth Craig was appointed the new chairman, and Shirley Keaveney of Grey County was appointed vice-chairperson. They will hold these positions until the end of 2026.
Over the past year, Grey and Bruce counties, public health staff, and the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health have worked together to ensure strong local leadership for public health. Through this collaboration, significant progress has been made, and a renewed board of health is well-positioned to provide effective leadership going forward. There will be continued support available for the new board.
Pine and de Villa extend their sincere thanks to the two counties and the staff at public health for their leadership, collaboration, and steadfast commitment to the residents of Grey and Bruce counties. "Their efforts have strengthened public health governance and supported the health and well-being of communities across the region. We look forward to building on this progress together."
Moore stated that strong local governance is essential to public health because local leaders understand the needs and priorities of their communities.
"Over the past year, we have worked together with the Counties of Grey and Bruce to strengthen their board of health toward long-term success," he said. "I want to thank everyone who contributed to this effort and remained focused on protecting and promoting the health of the people of Grey and Bruce. With a renewed board now in place and the ongoing supports available, I am confident Grey Bruce Public Health is well-positioned to meet current and future public health needs and continue delivering high-quality public health services.”
“Today, we marked a significant milestone at Grey Bruce Public Health with the return to a governance model led by a locally-appointed board of health," said Craig. "I look forward to working with my fellow board members and the leadership at Grey Bruce Public Health as we set priorities, begin work on new governance and finance committees, and continue to champion public health’s mission of protecting and promoting the health and well-being of everyone in Grey and Bruce counties.”
"We appreciate the dedication and commitment throughout the past year to strengthening public health in Grey and Bruce," said Bruce County warden Luke Charbonneau. "Thank you to our partners at Grey County, the Ontario Ministry of Health, and the dedicated staff at Grey Bruce Public Health. We look forward to the strong and effective leadership that the newly-appointed board of health will provide to Grey and Bruce counties."
"We are confident the newly-appointed board of health is well-positioned to provide strong and effective leadership for public health in Grey and Bruce," said Grey County warden Andrea Matrosovs. "We are grateful for the commitment shown throughout this process from our partners at Bruce County, the Ontario Ministry of Health, and the staff at Grey Bruce Public Health, and we look forward to working together to advance shared public health priorities across the region."
“This is a significant and exciting milestone in the governance of Grey Bruce Public Health," said acting medical officer of health Dr. Brittany Graham. "I look forward to working with the new board and our many partners toward protecting and promoting the health of our community. My sincere thanks goes to the dedicated staff at Grey Bruce Public Health and to our provincial and county partners for their combined efforts and their support which have made this achievement possible.”
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