Board of Health Now Accepting Public Appointments
Written by Comms Team, July 4, 2025
Public Health Unit also reports on marked milestones in merger progress.
(July 4, 2025) – The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit and Peterborough Public Health (now legally merged) is seeking candidates to fill public appointment positions on the Board of Health. Public appointees are members of the public that participate on the boards of provincial agencies and other public organizations.
The Board of Health is responsible for the assessment, planning, delivery, management and evaluation of a variety of public health programs and services in our community. To be considered for a public appointment you must:
- Reside within the catchment area of the HKNPHU (Cities of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes; Counties of Haliburton, Northumberland, Peterborough; Curve Lake, Hiawatha and Alderville First Nations.
- Be at least 18-years old; and,
- Not be a current employee of the HKNPHU; and,
- Apply for and be appointed through the Public Appointments Secretariat
While all applications will be considered, the Public Appointments Secretariat will prioritize candidates with knowledge/related skills in the following areas: advocacy, health system funding and administration, Indigenous governance, legal, public and population health science, and assessment and analysis.
The Public Appointments Secretariat and the HKNPHU Board of Health value a diverse range of experiences and encourage applicants who meet most, but not all, of these criteria, to apply.??Community members interested in applying can do so via this survey link. You will be asked to provide a brief description of your interest, complete a short survey, and upload a resume/CV. Deadline for applications is Friday, July 25, 2025, at 12 p.m.
The Board of Health is one of twenty-nine health boards in Ontario mandated by the provincial government through the Health Protection and Promotion Act to implement the Ontario Public Health Standards. Our sixteen-person board functions autonomously and is one of only a few boards of health in the province with First Nations, municipal and provincial representatives serving together.
Additionally, the Health Unit is pleased to provide an update since the legal merger took effect on January 1. This update includes the finalization of the 2025 budget and formalizing committees and creating a dedicated team to see the successful merger transition through as they continue to set up as a new public health organization.
The new Board of Health, has overseen the following merger-related activities so far in 2025 including:
- Formation of a new Board of Health, with Deputy Mayor Ron Black (Peterborough County) as Chair and Councillor Cecil Ryall (County of Haliburton) as Vice Chair, and subcommittees for Stewardship and Indigenous Health Advisory Circle
- Creation of a Transformation Team responsible for developing a reporting framework on merger progress
- The harmonization of accounting structures for a single organization budget
- Establishing the Senior Leadership Team and Management Team organizational structure
- Engaging a branding agency to develop a new name and brand identity, which will be launched in the fall
- Undertaking an Information Technology assessment and integration plan
- Identification of procurement and operating efficiencies to decrease business costs, while maintaining service delivery
- Work to undertake staff development in continuous quality improvement to identify efficiencies and program improvements, and change management to support merger success for staff and communities
The Board of Health’s Stewardship Committee was established to ensure the responsible management of resources including financial, policy development, reporting transparency and resource management. The Board’s current operating budget is $36.9 million with additional one-time provincial funding of up to $10.1 million from the provincial Ministry of Health to support mergers and strengthening public health related activities.
“This merger marks a new chapter in our collective journey to protect and promote the health of our communities,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer. “By uniting our strengths, expertise, and resources, we are better positioned to meet the evolving needs of the people we serve. This transition is about more than organizational change—it’s about building a stronger, more resilient public health system that is responsive, equitable, and future-focused. I’m incredibly proud of the work our teams have done to come together with purpose, compassion, and a shared commitment to public health.”
The next meeting of the Board of Health will take place on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the Port Hope Office beginning at 9 a.m. These meetings are accessible via a LIVE stream through YouTube, in person or by a written Summary Report posted after the meeting.
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Media Relations, Peterborough Public Health, media@peterboroughpublichealth.ca 1-705-743-1000, ext. 352
Ashley Beaulac, Communication Services Manager, HKPR District Health Unit, abeaulac@hkpr.on.ca, 1-866-888-4577, ext. 1212
Did You Know We Merged?
As of January 1, 2025, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit and Peterborough Public Health merged to form the Haliburton Kawartha Northumberland Peterborough Public Health (legal name only).
Efforts are currently underway to develop an operational name and a brand identity. In the meantime, you will see logos and other marketing material from both legacy organizations. You may also see references and documents using the legal name Haliburton Kawartha Northumberland Peterborough Public Health.
Partners and members of the public should continue to engage with their local public health offices as usual until otherwise directed.