Nova Scotia’s next chief medical officer of health has been announced. Dr. Jesse Kancir will be taking over the role for Dr. Robert Strang, who announced his retirement after 27 years in the industry in June. “I am deeply honoured to continue to serve Nova Scotians as Chief Medical Officer of Health. I look forward to working with providers, healthcare partners, community organizations and government to build on the strong foundation that has been established,” said Kancir in the announcement on Wednesday. “I am also grateful to Dr. Robert Strang for his remarkable leadership and dedication to Nova Scotians. His contributions to public health have had a lasting impact on our province, and it has been a pleasure to work alongside him. I am committed to working collaboratively to address health challenges and to advance opportunities that improve the well-being of Nova Scotians.” Kancir, who is currently the deputy chief medical officer of health, has held several positions in Nova Scotia’s health-care system since moving to the province in 2021, including associate regional medical officer of health, and regional medical officer of health. Before that, he was the medical officer of health and acting deputy chief medical officer of health in the Yukon. Kancir graduated from the University of Toronto and trained as a public health doctor at the University of British Columbia. He also trained in public policy and health economics at the University of Cambridge and London School of Economics in the United Kingdom. “It has been an honour to serve Nova Scotians for all of these years, and I am confident that public health will continue to be advanced under Dr. Kancir’s leadership. Throughout his career, Dr. Kancir has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving health outcomes and serving communities, and I know he will bring both dedication and compassion to this position. I wish him every success as he takes on this important responsibility,” said Strang, who has held the title of chief medical officer of health since 2007. Kancir will take over for Strang beginning in January. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
