Archive of the Canadian Conference on the Public’s Health and the Law

The Canadian public health system was the focus of much media attention and public discussion following the SARS outbreak. As the system came under review by expert committees and commissions, several jurisdictions began initiatives to improve their public health statutes in order to ensure that they remain modern and effective. The need for a national forum to discuss public health law challenges and opportunities in this context of change was recognised.

In the summer of 2005 several participants of the Public Health Law Improvement Network called for the Public Health Agency of Canada to lead efforts to organize a Canadian conference on public health law. Shortly thereafter, a Steering Committee chaired by Dr. David Mowat, Deputy Chief Public Health Officer, Public Health Agency of Canada, was created. The Committee, together with volunteers from organizations such as Health Canada, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment, the Population Health and Wellness Division of the BC Ministry of Health, the City of Toronto, the Canadian Public Health Association, the Health Law Institute at Dalhousie University and the Université de Montréal, has worked to make this conference a reality.

The conference has been designed to promote an enhanced understanding of the application of various legal and policy instruments in public health, and to foster inter-professional and inter-sectoral linkages across disciplines. It will provide a unique opportunity for law and policy makers, academics and public health practitioners to come together to analyse and critically review the use of law in achieving effective public health policies, programs and interventions. We know you will find much to explore, learn from and exchange about during this event.

• Objectives
• Committee Members
• Presentations