Minutes of the Meeting - 01/29/2026

Board of Health Meeting for Northeastern Public Health

Held on January 29, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. – Microsoft Teams

1.0 Roll Call

Municipal Members:

• Michelle Boileau – City of Timmins
• Mark Wilson – Temiskaming Shores
• Andrew Marks – City of Timmins
• Jeff Laferriere – Temiskaming Shores
• Carol Lowery – Rural South: Armstrong, Brethour, Casey, Cobalt, Coleman, Harley, Harris, Hilliard, Hudson, Kerns, Latchford, Temagami, Thornloe
• Paul Kelly – Rural Central South: Charlton & Dack, Chamberlain, Englehart, Evanturel, Gauthier, James, Larder Lake, McGarry, Matachewan
• Gary Fortin – Kapuskasing
• Peter Politis – Cochrane, Smooth Rock Falls
• Savion Nakogee – Rural Far North: Moosonee, James Bay and Hudson Bay region
• Marc Dupuis – Rural North: Fauquier-Strickland, Hornepayne, Hearst, Mattice-Val Côté, Moonbeam, Opasatika, Val Rita-Harty
• Curtis Arthur – Provincial Appointee
• Todd Steis – Provincial Appointee
• Tory Delaurier – Rural Central North: Iroquois Falls, Black River Matheson
• Suzanne Perras – Provincial Appointee
• Rock Whissell – City of Timmins

NEPH Executive:

• Members Dr. Lianne Catton – Medical Officer of Health/Chief Executive
• Officer Randy Winters – Director of Corporate and Protection Services
• Rosa Montico-Reimer – Director of Finance

Recorder:

• Lori McCord – Executive Assistant

Regrets:

• Cindy Campbell – Provincial Appointee
• Casey Owens – Kirkland Lake
• David Lowe – Provincial Appointee

Guests

Mark Whittrick – Managing Partner and Senior Consultant, HCI Consulting

1.1 Call to Order

Dr. Lianne Catton called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.

1.2 Approval of Agenda

1.3 Election of Officers

1.3.1 Chair

Michelle Boileau was nominated by Mark Wilson, seconded by Gary Fortin. Michelle Boileau accepted the nomination.

1.3.2 Vice-Chair

Mark Wilson was nominated by Jeff Laferriere, seconded by Paul Kelly. Mark Wilson accepted the nomination.

1.4 Declaration of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature

None declared.

2.0 Closed Session

The Board went into a closed session at 4:10 p. m. as outlined in the Ontario Municipal Act, 2001, c.25, s 239 2 (b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including Board employees – Management Remuneration Grid.

The Board of Health rose from the closed session at 4:38 p.m.

3.0 Previous Minutes

3.1 NEPH Board of Health Minutes – November 27, 2025

3.2 NEPH Board of Health Minutes – January 12, 2026

4.0 Agenda Items for Information, Discussion, Decision

4.1 Board of Health Executive Report

4.1.1 Board of Health Executive Terms of Reference

The Board of Health Executive Terms of Reference were shared.

4.1.2 Board of Health Executive Recruitment Update

For information purposes Chair Boileau advised that the position of MOH/CEO was posted as the expression of interest was requested from executive search firms, with one proposal received and reviewed. An introductory meeting with the Board Executive is planned to discuss next steps in the recruitment process. Chair Boileau also advised that an expression of interest has also been received for the Acting Medical Officer of Health position with plans for further discussion and engagement planned at the Executive table.

4.2 Annual Review

4.2.1 Code of Conduct

4.2.2 Confidentiality

4.2.3 Bylaws

4.2.4 Finance Committee Terms of Reference

4.3 Board of Health Policies

4.3.1 Procurement Policy

The Procurement Policy was previously provided to the Board. Dr. Catton provided an overview of the changes that reflect the position of Interim CEO and that the Director of Corporate Services is now the delegate to the Interim CEO.

4.3.2 Remuneration Policy

The policy was previously shared. The policy follows through on the January 1, 2025 approval of the remuneration scale and reflects the practice of the policy.

4.4 Capital Project

4.4.1 Update

Dr. Catton shared that the capital project for a new building in Timmins has been a recognized need for years, prior to 2016. Board presentations and discussions continue to outline the Timmins office inefficiencies concerns, impacting the team, programs, and community members. The merger enabled the opportunity to apply for Capital Funding support and was successful with a $300,000.00 planning grant. Next steps include an RFP for a Project Manager.

4.4.2 Timmins Capital Project Committee

The Timmins Capital Project Committee is an ad-hoc committee that will provide input as appropriate in relation to the application and planning for the new build in Timmins. The formation of the committee was discussed at previous Board meetings with a request for expression of interest made to Board members. The Draft Terms of Reference were shared with the Board.

4.5 Appointment of Auditors

4.6 Appointment of Legal Advisors

4.7 Association of Local Public Health Agencies Winter Symposium

The Association of Local Public Health Agencies Winter Symposium will be held virtually February 11 – 13th. Chair Boileau and Dr. Catton will be guest speakers addressing questions related to the merger.

4.8 Inquest

At the Board meeting held November 27, 2025 Dr. Catton presented an overview of the NEPH specific recommendations included in the 79 recommendations from the inquest. Correspondence from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health Responses to Jury Recommendations was issued to all Boards requesting reflection on recommendations and to report back consideration to implement the recommendations relating to the organization. NEPH has made a commitment to addressing the Inquest Recommendations directly naming NEPH, as well as reviewing opportunities to collaborate and support other important recommendations made. The Board of Health is required to report back on progress made by next November, one year from the end of the inquest. A detailed briefing note, that outlines the recommendations, considerations and next steps for implementation for the Board will be forthcoming and included in the February 26th meeting package. Dr. Catton reinforced the need for the Board to formally commit to continue to do this important work and to acknowledge and honour the names of the beloved community members tragically lost in the outbreak.

5.0 Medical Officer of Health/Chief Executive Officer Report

Dr. Catton provided an update on the organization and shared recent highlights of services and programs.

Human resources

NEPH continues to recruit with a goal to maintain staffing complements. Human Resources continues to look for opportunities to utilize the merger funding to support staffing opportunities and roles.

Labour Relations

The PSLRTA process continues. Extensive work leading up to the meetings with the Labour Board and Unions was required, including legal consultation. The Labour Board will establish the campaign period, rules of engagement and voting parameters for the three unions, ONA, CUPE and OPSEU. The vote date will occur on March 3rd. Following the vote, next steps will involve addressing union negotiations, employment policies, harmonized wages for union staff and formalizing the two new collective agreements. Legal consultation will lead the team and support as the process will be quite complex.

Change Management

Support for the team continues with Leaders for Leaders. Team sessions, involving follow up feedback, worksheets and activities to engage and apply learned skills with teams have been provided. Clarity counselling continues to provide sessions for staff to promote wellness and work towards engaging a consultant for organizational culture is underway. The team received an informative privacy assessment presentation from our Privacy Officer and Chief Nursing Officer. A public relations firm has also been engaged to assist with the extensive change and support the leadership team with both internal and external communications. Professional Development Media training was held for all Managers and Directors. Tips and skills to develop key messages, scenario-based learning with, in time, more in-depth personalized feedback provided, along with analysis and recommendations shared to each participant. Merger funding continues to support

Open Houses

Open houses are underway to celebrate NEPH’s one year anniversary. NEPH offices have welcomed many guests and appreciate the opportunity to celebrate our team, connect and recognize the support received from NEPH leadership, municipal, Board, and community members.

Program Integration

Work towards program integration is ongoing. Leadership continues to support the teams and Managers with aligning work policies and processes while moving forward to ensure NEPH meets Ministry accountabilities and providing the best opportunities for public health across the region. The work continues to explore potential efficiencies and increase capacity to strengthen public health.

Program Updates

Environmental Health

Extensive and ongoing work supporting the crisis in Kaschechewan continues with multiple daily meetings with community leadership, Indigenous Services Canada, Public Health Ontario and the Ministry to support and ensure public health measures and communication are available. Community members are displaced due to the crisis in the community with multiple municipalities and health units hosting.

Ontario Public Health Standards (OPHS)

The new OPHS are still in government approval process and there is uncertainty at this time as to when they will be implemented. Extensive reviews of the standards have occurred by most teams to highlight potential impacts on workload and structure. NEPH staff have been able to review the drafts and have completed some groundwork in preparation to move forward when they are released. The Ministry has advised to move forward with planning for this year with the current standards and accountabilities.

Provincial Funding

There has been no news with regards to the provincial funding strategy. As one of the merged entities entering year three of the merger process, we have been fortunate to receive support for funding required to do this work. The Ministry continues to be supportive of the reports we have provided demonstrating strengthening public health in the region as a result of the merger. NEPH will continue to move forward capitalizing on merger funding and opportunities when possible.

MOH/CEO Update

Dr. Catton shared that it has been an absolute honour to have served as the Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer of Northeastern Public Health (NEPH) and thanked the Board for their trust and supportive relationships. Dr. Catton encouraged the Board to continue to address the critical work and hoped that the positivity of the merger and the momentum would continue towards the goal of strengthening public health. Dr. Catton emphasized NEPH’s great leadership and team, that continually go above and beyond addressing the public health accountabilities and needs of our communities. The Board expressed gratitude to Dr. Catton for her years of leadership and dedication to public health and the region and thanked her for her report.

6.0 Correspondence

The correspondence was received for information purposes.

7.0 Date of Next Meeting

Next meeting of the Board of Health to be held on February 26, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.

8.0 Adjournment