Canada is ranked 37th of 41 countries on providing healthy food for kids, yet today we remain the only G7 nation without a federally funded school food program. The Coalition for Healthy School Food is a group of 70+ organizations advocating for increased federal investment in a universal, cost-shared, healthy school food program for all students across Canada. Here in BC, many are working to bring healthy foods to the plates, minds and bellies of students. However, existing school food programs are run at a classroom, school or school district scale and largely rely on parents and other members of the school community to develop and fund. This patchwork of programs does not meet the needs of all students. We need significant investment from all levels of government, as well as input from local school communities and other stakeholders, to create a universal program for all children and youth.
This webinar explores how individuals and organizations can get involved in helping make sure that all federal parties and candidates commit to a National School Food Program; and how to support the national Coalition to build on existing programs and ensure all students in Canada and BC have access to nutritious meals every day.
Last month, the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada released her 2019 spotlight report: Handle with Care: Preserving Antibiotics Now and Into the Future.
They are seeking your input to help the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) understand how the Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO) of Canada’s Spotlight Report: Handle with Care: Preserving Antibiotics Now and Into the Future is used, and how to improve future reports. Your participation in this survey is voluntary, and your responses will be treated in confidence. The results will be combined and no answers will be linked to specific individuals.
The survey can be found HERE. Thank you for your participation.
Competition #: 05430906
Employee Type: RELIEF FULL TIME
Bargaining Unit: BCGEU
Facility: Flexible
Department: NHR HEALTH & RES DEVMT
Reports To: LEAD – HEALTH & RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Hourly Wage: $34.26 – $42.73
Close Date: AUGUST 05, 2019*
Comments: Successful applicant can be located in Fort St. John, Prince George, or Terrace.
Position Summary
The Health and Resource Development Technical Advisor will provide technical expertise in assessing and minimizing the impact of industrial resource development and major projects on health, (including environmental exposures/changes, accidents and malfunctions, impacts to health service and infrastructure, and impacts to the socio-economic determinants of health). The position will work under Northern Health’s Industrial Framework and will also support Northern Health’s Regional Air Quality Program. The incumbent will work independently and in collaboration with others in these areas with the goal of improving health outcomes and the prevention of illness.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s of Science degree in Public Health, Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Environmental Science or a related environmental or health field.
Two (2) years of recent and relevant public health experience or two (2) years of recent and relevant natural resource management/industry experience focusing on the protection of human health from air quality and/or resource development/industry issues.
One (1) year of recent and relevant experience in writing or critically reviewing technical documents that evaluate the impacts on human health due to air quality, or natural resource development decisions including health impact assessments, human health risk assessments, environmental assessments or Technical Assessment reports.
One (1) year of recent and relevant experience working in multi-stakeholder policy environments
Or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Possession of a valid BC Driver’s License.
Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of health impacts associated with industrial/resource development projects and understanding of major projects and issues in Northern BC.
Knowledge of healthcare systems and Northern Health’s priorities in Health and Resource Development.
Knowledge of natural resource management regulatory processes and decision making tools (e.g. environmental assessments, waste discharge permits, management plans, health impact assessments, air shed assessments, human health risk assessments).
Demonstrated ability to access and analyze scientific information, develop scientific expertise, apply research and evidence-based information on complex technical issues and critically review technical information.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and in complex, politically sensitive environments.
Ability to adapt to changing environments, prioritize and manage heavy workloads, organize and manage multiple program priorities and respond to changing priorities or emerging opportunities.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, including strong oral, writing and presentation skills.
Demonstrated interpersonal skills and the ability to form strong professional networks and work in politically sensitive multi-stakeholder environments.
Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with skill, tact and diplomacy.
Ability to work well in a team environment and be an effective positive influencer.
Hon. Chantal Petitclerc: Honourable colleagues, I rise today to express my appreciation to our public health professionals, including those of the Canadian Public Health Association, for their leadership in the field. All over Canada, these professionals are concerned about our public health systems, which are in jeopardy.
You may remember, twenty years ago, public health in Canada was in disarray. After the SARS crisis in 2003, the Naylor report led to a commitment to strengthen public health across Canada, including the creation of the Public Health Agency of Canada. Unfortunately, the enthusiasm for public health has faded over the years.
Public health professionals are alarmed, with serious concerns that cutbacks and restructuring of public health may further undermine the public health system effectiveness. We, too, should worry.
Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, P.E.I. and Newfoundland have undergone serious restructuring. We have seen cutbacks in Quebec. The Ontario government is cutting $200 million a year from public health.
In a recent article, Senator Eggleton reminded us that public health receives only 3 per cent to 4 per cent of health care funding. These cutbacks and restructuring efforts only add to the burden on our already underfunded public health systems.
As many senators have pointed out, the recent measles outbreaks highlight the importance of vaccination, as well as disease prevention and health promotion in general. Disease prevention and health promotion programs often have long-term economic benefits. The sign that these programs are working is that nothing is happening. But something could always go wrong, and that is the scenario that all levels of government must avoid at any cost by listening to our public health professionals.
In closing, I want to read you another quote from the Naylor report that I think still applies today:
Public health is taken for granted until disease outbreaks occur, whereupon a brief flurry of lip service leads to minimal investments and little change in public health infrastructure or priorities. This cycle must end.
Canada is ranked 37th of 41 countries on providing healthy food for kids, yet today we remain the only G7 nation without a federally funded school food program. The Coalition for Healthy School Food is a group of 70+ organizations advocating for increased federal investment in a universal, cost-shared, healthy school food program for all students across Canada. Here in BC, many are working to bring healthy foods to the plates, minds and bellies of students. However, existing school food programs are run at a classroom, school or school district scale and largely rely on parents and other members of the school community to develop and fund. This patchwork of programs does not meet the needs of all students. We need significant investment from all levels of government, as well as input from local school communities and other stakeholders, to create a universal program for all children and youth.
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