Canada names its new chief public health officer

Dr. Joss Reimer answers media questions during a press conference at the Manitoba legislature in Winnipeg Wednesday, March 17, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Wood

Dr. Joss Reimer, a physician from Manitoba, is set to take over as Canada’s new chief public health officer this spring.

The appointment was made public on Friday, roughly eight months after the position became vacant.

Reimer replaces Dr. Theresa Tam, who retired in June after eight years in the role. Tam became a household name during the pandemic as she delivered public updates on COVID-19 caseloads.

Reimer was chief medical officer for the Winnipeg health authority, and before that was the medical lead for Manitoba’s COVID-19 vaccine implementation task force.

She has a master’s degree in public health and has conducted research on sexually transmitted diseases and drug-related harms.

“Public health is about uniting efforts to protect and promote the well-being of people in Canada, especially those who are most vulnerable,” Reimer said in a media statement.

Health Minister Marjorie Michel noted in a statement that Reimer joins the Public Health Agency at a critical time. She said Canada is facing “a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, the threats posed by avian influenza A (H5N1), HIV and tuberculosis, the ongoing impacts of the illegal drug crisis and the harmful impacts of false health information.”

Nancy Hamzawi, the agency’s president, said she looks forward to working with Reimer.

“At a time when strong, science-driven leadership has never been more important, I am confident that her vision and dedication will help advance the public health and well-being of Canadians,” Hamzawi said in a press release.

Reimer is the past president of the Canadian Medical Association and during her tenure delivered a formal apology to Indigenous Peoples for the harms caused by the medical profession.

Dr. Margot Burnell, the Canadian Medical Association’s current president, said Reimer was a source of calm and measured leadership for Manitobans during the pandemic.

At the CMA, Reimer “led the fight against false health information and advocated strongly for solutions to improve access to care for everyone in Canada,” Burnell said.

Reimer is set to begin her three-year term on April 1.

Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press