Public Health Amendment Act
Amended
- The Public Health Act, RSA 2000 cP-37 1
Summary
The Public Health Amendment Act clarifies the Public Health Act and the roles and accountability of Cabinet and medical officers of health, including the chief medical officer of health in future declared states of public health emergency.
During a declared state of public health emergency:
- Medical officers of health retain final decision-making authority for orders impacting a specific person or a specific public place.
- Cabinet has discretionary authority to make final decisions on public health orders in respect of all persons or groups, businesses, non-profits and educational settings.
- The chief medical officer of health provides advice for cabinet and cabinet committees consideration.
The Act also adds a paramountcy clause to the Public Health Act to provide cabinet with the discretionary authority to reverse or vary any public health decision of any decision-maker made under the Public Health Act outside of a declared state of public health emergency.
In Force: On Proclamation