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Mandate of the Network
- The Network will function as a mechanism for intergovernmental collaboration and coordination on public health issues
- As such, the Network will:
- Facilitate information sharing among all jurisdictions;
- Disseminate information regarding best-practices in public health;
- Support the public health challenges jurisdictions face during emergencies;
- Provide advice and regular reporting to CDM on public health matters and the activities of the Network;
- Collaborate on the day-to-day operations of public health;
- Respect jurisdictional responsibilities in public health;
- Be accountable to the CDM
At the June 17th meeting of the Conference of Deputy Ministers of Health, Deputies asked the Task Force to clarify the role and mandate of the Network. The Task Force spent much of the summer considering and carefully developing the mandate of the Network so as to respect each jurisdiction’s responsibilities while also enabling jurisdictions to collaborate and coordinate on public health matters, when it is necessary and appropriate.
The mandate for the Network is two-fold: first there is a functional capacity to promote and facilitate F/P/T collaboration on public health issues when needed, and second, to respond to direction from the Conference of Deputy Ministers of Health on any public health matter.
The Network will partner with other public health bodies, including the Public Health Agency of Canada and the six National Collaborating Centres for Public Health Science.
The six National Collaborating Centres for Public Health Science will establish linkages with public health experts in the regions, across jurisdictions and internationally. Within the PHN, the nature of these linkages will include association or affiliation across the various expert groups of the Network, to facilitate or support mutual public health activities of interest.
A properly structured and functioning public health system will contribute to:
- Improved levels of health status of the population and decreased health disparities
- Decreased burden on the personal health services system and thereby contribute to its sustainability
- Improved preparedness and response capacity for health emergencies