Action Plan Underway for Grey Bruce Public Health Unit

The Grey Bruce Public Health Unit remains under the oversight of Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, Dr. Kieran Moore, as special adviser Jim Pine works on an action plan aimed at restoring effective leadership and governance. Pine, who was appointed to enhance the health unit’s capacity, recently provided updates on his progress and outlined the steps to address governance issues that have emerged.

Pine, a retired chief administrative officer of Hastings County, is tasked with rebuilding relationships and ensuring long-term stability within the health unit. In his update on October 7, 2024, Pine emphasized his commitment to addressing the concerns raised in an independent assessment of the health unit. He has been engaging with board members, staff, and representatives from Grey and Bruce Counties to gather insights for this purpose.

On October 3, Pine held the first of several consultations with governance partners, including municipal leaders and health unit representatives. These discussions were pivotal in developing a strategy for the necessary action plan, which Pine noted is essential to tackle the significant findings documented in the assessment.

Despite the critical nature of this assessment, a request submitted by The Sun Times for access to the document was denied. Pine stated that the consultations revealed the skills required for a reconstituted board to enhance governance, accountability, and public confidence in the health unit’s leadership.

Dr. Moore intervened on August 14, 2024, citing “serious concerns” about the board’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities. His assessment highlighted issues concerning governance, leadership, financial management, and human resources. The order for intervention also pointed to a “lack of confidence among local partners” in the board, which has compromised its effectiveness and posed a risk to public health.

In his directive, Dr. Moore indicated that an assessor had been appointed on April 1, 2024, under Section 82 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act to evaluate the board’s management and adherence to regulations, with the investigation concluding in December 2024. The findings revealed numerous instances of non-compliance with the act and a failure to implement recommendations from a 2018 audit conducted by the Ministry of Health.

The board’s chairman, Nick Saunders, expressed frustration over Dr. Moore’s actions, suggesting that he felt scapegoated for the decisions made regarding board member responsibilities. Moore’s directive also cited the mass dismissal of board members as a contributing factor to his decision to assume control.

Currently, only four members remain listed on the health board’s website, including Saunders and provincial appointees Chad Richards, Helen-Claire Tingling, and Beverly Wilkins. The status of the seven municipally-appointed representatives dismissed by Saunders but later reinstated remains unclear, as confirmed by Grey County Warden Andrea Matrosovs.

Matrosovs, along with Bruce County Warden Luke Charbonneau, has not yet responded to requests for interviews regarding the ongoing situation. Discussions around board composition have surfaced, with suggestions that appointments should be based on relevant skills to improve functionality.

Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody echoed these sentiments, advocating for a shift toward competency-based appointments to mitigate political discord that has previously led to tensions within the board. Saunders has also indicated ongoing dysfunction within the board since 2023, affirming his support for the transition to a more capable governance structure.

As the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit navigates these challenges, Pine has pledged to provide further updates on the action plan and the future of the health unit’s governance, aiming to restore public confidence in its leadership and operations.