The two recently merged health units in the Kawarthas region have a new legal name: the Haliburton Kawartha Northumberland Peterborough Health Unit (HKNP).
The boards of health for the former Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPRDHU) and Peterborough Public Health (PPH) will come together as one for a special virtual board of health meeting on Thursday (January 2), where a chair and vice chair will be elected.
The new board of health will have nine municipal representatives (including two from Northumberland County, two from the City of Kawartha Lakes, one from Haliburton County, two from the Peterborough County, and two from the City of Peterborough), as well as one member each from Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation and provincial appointees,
The new legal name of the merged health unit was confirmed in a letter from Ontario’s chief medical officer Dr. Kieran Moore dated December 11, a week after the boards of health for PPH and HKPRDHU each held separate virtual meetings and each voted in support of a voluntary merger, which will come with $10.1 million in new provincial funding.
According to a statement on both of the existing health unit websites, HKNP is only the legal name of the merged health unit.
“We are currently undergoing a process to develop a new brand identity that will also include a new name,” the statement reads. “This will take us several months to finalize. During this time, you will continue to see logos and other marketing material with the (Peterborough Public Health or HKPR District Health Unit) branding. You may also see some documents using our legal name Haliburton Kawartha Northumberland Peterborough Health Unit.”
The statement indicates partners and members of the public should continue to engage with their local public health offices as they have in the past, until otherwise directed. All communication channels including emails, faxes, and office locations will remain the same until further notice.
As for the January 2 special board of health meeting, it will include various by-laws for approval that are related to the merger.
Another item on the agenda is terms of reference for the Indigenous Health Advisory Circle (IHAC). The committee’s purpose is to deepen awareness, sensitivity, and meaningful actions on issues that are of relevance and public health importance to Indigenous people living within the Haliburton Kawartha Northumberland Peterborough (HKNP) catchment area.
According to the agenda, the IHAC will provide a forum for circle members to brainstorm, explore and propose public health-related agenda items for the board of health to consider that are of importance to Indigenous people living within the HKNP catchment area.
“In particular, this includes a review of the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of reconciliation, as well as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”
The IHAC is also intended to advise and support the board of health “to become a stronger and more effective ally” and advocate for local members of First Nation communities. It will also advise and provide support on matters that have an impact on the health and well-being of their residents and the environment.
The circle will be comprised of a minimum of three board members in addition to the chair (ex-officio member). In addition, the board will seek community members representing the broader Indigenous stakeholder community as it pertains issues of Indigenous health.
IHAC met on December 13 and requested that the following community members be appointed to the group: Ashley Safar, executive director of the Peterborough Community Health Centre; David Newhouse of Trent University; the executive director or delegate of the Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabekwewag Services Circle; the executive director or delegate of Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre; Elizabeth Stone of Fleming College; a representative of Alderville First Nation; Kristy Kennedy of the Métis Nation of Ontario and Peterborough & District Wapiti Métis Council; and Rebecca Watts of Lovesick Lake Native Women’s Association.
