Motion – Public Health

The Chief Medical Officer plays a crucial role in safeguarding the public health of New Brunswickers. But successive governments have eroded its independence over the past 10 years. It’s time to fix that.

Megan Mitton

WHEREAS the Chief Medical Officer of Health plays a crucial role in safeguarding the public health of New Brunswickers and advising the government on medical matters;

WHEREAS the Gallant government undermined the independence of the Chief Medical Officer of Health by restructuring the Office of Public Health and moving many of its staff and resources to other departments;

WHEREAS, under the Higgs government, the Chief Medical Officer of Health admitted that political preferences played a role in public health decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic;

WHEREAS the lack of independence of the Chief Medical Officer of Health may result in delayed or inadequate responses to health crises, miscommunication, and erosion of the public trust;

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Legislative Assembly urge the government to amend the Public Health Act to ensure that the Chief Medical Officer of Health is a public advocate for the health of New Brunswickers, not a private advisor to government.