I am pleased to provide an update on my work as Special Advisor to the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore, in respect of the Grey Bruce Health Unit. To ensure the continued delivery of critical public health services, on August 14, 2025, the Chief Medical Officer of Health temporarily assumed the powers of the Board of Health under s. 77.1 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act to support operations.

As Special Advisor, my primary role, on behalf of Dr. Moore, is to work with the appointees to the Board of Health, staff at the Grey Bruce Health Unit, and municipal partners to develop and implement an Action Plan to build up the capacity for effective leadership, rebuild key relationships, and support long-term stability of the Board of Health/Health Unit.

Over the last few weeks, it has been my privilege to meet with current board appointees, health unit staff, and representatives from both Bruce and Grey Counties. My goal has been to better understand different perspectives and ideas. I want to thank all of those who have made time to meet with me for your support, candor, and commitment to moving forward together.

On October 3, 2025, I held the first of a series of consultations with governance partners, including current appointees to the Board of Health, representatives from the Office of Chief Medical Officer of Health, the Medical Officer of Health, at the Grey Bruce Health Unit, along with municipal leaders from both Counties as well as their Chief Administrative Officers.

At this meeting, we mapped out a strategy to move forward together to develop the comprehensive Action Plan needed to address the important findings documented through the independent assessment conducted under section 82 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act. In line with that strategy, we had a very good discussion about the skills that should be represented at a reconstituted Board of Health table to strengthen governance, accountability, and public confidence in the leadership of the Grey Bruce Health Unit.

I want to assure our community and partners that the important work of the health unit continues. I also want to acknowledge the positive commitment and support from both Counties for the continued delivery of public health services. I look forward to working closely with them and all the parties involved in public health here.

During this interim period, I am actively supporting Dr. Moore to make required decisions in his role in exercising the powers of the Board of Health. I want to reiterate that the Grey Bruce Health Unit remains fully operational. The dedicated professionals working at the Health Unit continue to deliver essential public health services with professionalism, compassion, and care.  

I will write again soon to provide a second update.  Thank you for all your work.

Jim Pine

Special Advisor to the Chief Medical Officer of Health