The Board of Health

The administration and operations of Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) are overseen by an autonomous Board of Health. Members of the Board of Health include elected officials from four municipalities: City of Belleville, City of Quinte West, Hastings County, and Prince Edward County. In addition, local representatives are appointed by the Province of Ontario as members of the Board.

The Board sets the strategic direction for HPEPH,  and ensures the organization meets the requirements of provincial legislation, as well as the needs of our community. The governance of the Board and the Terms of Reference of each Board Committee are set out in the Board Governance Package.

Board Meetings

The Board of Health typically meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 9:30 to 11:30 am unless otherwise noted. Board meetings are held at our main office located at 179 North Park Street, Belleville or unless otherwise noted.

2024

• Wednesday, February 7, 2024 – Agenda Package and Information Items
  This meeting was cancelled.
• Wednesday, March 6, 2024 – Agenda Package and Information Items
• Wednesday, March 27, 2024 – Special Meeting – Agenda Package
• Wednesday, May 1, 2024 – Agenda Package and Information Items
• Wednesday, June 5, 2024 – Agenda Package
• Wednesday, September 4, 2024 – Agenda Package and Information Items
  Note: There will be a Closed Session at the beginning of the meeting.
• Wednesday, October 2, 2024 – Agenda Package
• Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Prior Year’s Meetings

2023

• Wednesday, February 1, 2023 – Agenda Package and Information Items
• Wednesday, March 1, 2023 – Agenda Package and Information Items
• Wednesday, May 3, 2023 – Agenda Package and Information Items
• Wednesday, June 7, 2023 – Agenda Package and Information Items
• Wednesday, September 6, 2023 – Agenda Package and Information Items
• Wednesday, October 4, 2023 – Agenda Package and Information Items
• Wednesday, December 6, 2023 – Agenda Package and Information Items

You may also wish to review our Board Meeting Archives.

Board Committees

Presently, there are two sub-committees of the HPEPH Board of Health: the Finance Committee, and the Governance Committee. The Finance Committee typically meet four times a year and the Governance Committee meets twice a year.

Board Members

Jan O’Neill (Chair) Mayor, Municipality of Marmora and Lake – County of Hastings	Kimberly Carson Mayor, Limerick Township – County of Hastings
Bill Roberts Councillor – County of Prince Edward	Phil St. Jean Councillor – County of Prince Edward
Michael Kotsovos (Vice Chair) Councillor – City of Quinte West	David McCue Councillor – City of Quinte West
Sean Kelly Councillor – City of Belleville	Garnet Thompson Councillor – City of Belleville
Paul Carr Councillor – City of Belleville (Alternate)	Melanie Paradis Provincial Representative
Dr. Jeffrey Allin Provincial Representative	Barbara Proctor Provincial Representative

Attending a Board Meeting

Purpose

1. To provide a clear and consistent process to receive and respond to requests from the public who want to address the Hastings Prince Edward Board of Health (Board).
2. Supports accountability and transparency between the Board and the public.

Policy

1. The Board of Health will provide access to open meetings for members of the public to observe, or to present issues of public health mandate as noted in the Ministry of Health’s Ontario Public Health Standards, by way of a formal deputation.
2. All deputations will be reviewed and approved for addition to a Board meeting agenda at the discretion of the Board Chair and Vice Chair in collaboration with the Medical Officer of Health.
3. Deputations will only be granted to residents of Hastings and Prince Edward Counties and on issues of interest to the Board.
4. Individuals who do not wish to appear in person may submit a written submission for inclusion in the public Board agenda (see Procedure below).
5. A deputation to the Board can be made by an individual either on his/her own behalf or as a representative of an organization or community group (delegation) on an approved public health matter (see #2 above).
6. Up to two speakers can participate in one deputation, limited to a total of not more than 10 minutes.
7. Approved deputations will be scheduled at the next possible Board meeting providing it can be added to the agenda without any timing issues or as requested.
8. Delegations may only appear once on the same matter within a one-year period, unless a recommendation pertaining to the same matter is included on the agenda within a one-year period and only to provide additional or new information.
9. Deputations will not be permitted at Board Committee meetings as these are not decision-making entities and do not consist of all members of the Board.

Procedure

1. Submit a completed Board of Health Deputation Request form found on the Hastings Prince Edward Public Health website at https://www.hpepublichealth.ca/board-of-health/.  All fields must be completed with as much information and detail as possible on the subject matter. If you do not have access to the internet/website you can phone Public Health at 613-966-5500, ext. 231 and we will complete a request for you.
2. A letter can be submitted, either via Canada Post or by email at info@hpeph.ca noting in the Subject Line: Board of Health Deputation Request. The request should provide the following information:
   • Requestor’s name, address, telephone number and email address.  The Board will not accept anonymous requests or communications.
   • Full names of speakers and/or presenters and/or a list of individuals who will be attending the meeting.
   • Date you wish to present your deputation to the Board (dates of Board meetings can be found on our website at https://www.hpepublichealth.ca/board-of-health/).
   • A detailed summary of the subject matter and/or a copy of any materials that will be presented, the outcome that is sought or if for information purposes only and what action is requested by the Board. 
     • Comments that are submitted anonymously or include defamatory language will not be accepted or form part of the official meeting record. 
     • Correspondence must be addressed to the Board of Health. 
     • Emails/correspondence sent to individual Board members or Public Health staff that are copied to the Board, MOH or Executive Assistant via cc will not be considered.
   • An overview of you and/or your group.
   • Your signature.
   • If mailing your request, mail to: Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, c/o Board of Health, 179 North Park Street, Belleville, ON K8P 4P1.
3. You will be notified if your request is approved/not approved, and if applicable, confirm the date of your deputation. You may be contacted to provide additional information. A date will not be set for the deputation until all information has been received by the Board, as outlined above. A reason will be given if your request is not approved.
4. Deputation requests must be received at least 14 days before the date of the meeting at which you wish to speak. Please note, your request, including your contact information will be included in the agenda package for the specified meeting date and therefore will be posted to our website.
5. Should you wish to show a PowerPoint presentation, it must be received along with your written/electronic request form so it can be reviewed for acceptable content.  If it is approved to be presented, you will be asked to send it electronically at a later specified date.
6. Should you wish to record or videotape the proceedings of a Board meeting, you will need to follow the instructions as set out in this Procedures section.
7. All material presented and discussed at the Board meeting will become public information.
8. If your deputation includes a group of people, you will be required to designate not more than two spokespersons. As noted above, the Board will allow no more that two people to address the Board during the deputation.
9. If you or anyone in your group changes the delegation topic to something that was not previously approved is not in keeping with the decorum of the meeting, acts contrary to any of the rules noted below, or in contravention of the Ontario Human Rights Code, you will be asked by the Chair to cease and come to order. If you and/or anyone in your delegation do not cease or come to order you will be asked by the Board Chair to leave the meeting immediately.
   • No behaviour is permitted that interrupts the conduct of a meeting.
   • No one may use disrespectful language, gestures or offensive words.
   • Signs and T-shirts with offensive language or slogans are not permitted.
   • Taking photos and/or making recordings of any kind are not permitted unless prior permission has been given.

General Expectations for Deputations

1. Please keep in mind you are attending a business meeting of the Hastings Prince Edward Board of Health and procedural rules are used to guide conduct.
2. Except in cases where timing is important, the Board will not consider a motion regarding a delegation the same day as it is presented unless it is associated with another item on the agenda.
3. The meeting begins when the Chair calls the meeting to order.
4. Deputations from the public are heard near the beginning of each meeting.
5. Board meetings begin at the start time posted at hpePublicHealth.ca and are held in person unless otherwise noted at 179 North Park Street in Belleville. 
6. You will be asked to sign in at the reception desk upon your arrival.
7. The agenda package will be available on our website the Friday before the date of the meeting for reference.
8. If there is a Closed session[1] the day of your deputation, you will be asked to wait in the main waiting room until that session ends. You will then be invited into the meeting room.
9. Once in the meeting room, you and members of your party will take a seat and will be required to remain quiet until your name is called to speak. You will then make your way to the front of the meeting room.
10. You will have ten minutes to make your deputation. 
11. Start your deputation by introducing yourself and members of your delegation with your full names. Remember only two speakers will be allowed to speak for the group.
12. Remember the Board has the information you submitted regarding your deputation. You can refer to the document but please do not read it.
13. Explain why you are making the deputation and what action you are requesting from the Board.
14. If you are using a PowerPoint presentation, it will be operated by the Executive Assistant.
15. After making your deputation, you may be asked questions by members of the Board.  Address your answers/comments to the whole Board and provide answers that directly respond to the question. You will not be permitted to debate with Board members, nor are you permitted to ask questions of Board members.
16. Be respectful of other meeting participants. Offensive and disrespectful language will not be tolerated. If your conduct is deemed to be disrespectful, you will be asked to leave the meeting at the discretion of the Chair.
17. Following questions, the Chair will advise when your deputation is over. At this point, you may be seated and continue watching the meeting or you and your delegation may leave the meeting.

General Expectations of Observers

1. Please keep in mind you are attending a business meeting of the Hastings Prince Edward Board of Health and procedural rules are used to guide conduct.
2. You will be expected to sign in as a visitor at the front reception upon your arrival to the Health Unit letting the receptionist know you are here to attend the Board meeting.  You can then wait in the waiting room until you are called to come in.
3. Once you are invited into the meeting room you will take a seat in the outer circle of chairs or as directed and will be required to remain quiet while the business of the Board is conducted.  
4. You are not permitted to ask questions or make any comments whatsoever during the meeting.  Refrain from speaking to anyone next to you.
5. No behaviour is permitted that interrupts the conduct of a meeting.
6. No one may use disrespectful language, gestures or offensive words.
7. Taking photos and/or making recordings of any kind are not permitted unless prior permission has been given.

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[1] A closed session is a meeting consisting of Board members only and may include certain executives.  The subject of a closed session is governed by Section 239 of the Municipal Act.  Such subject matter is usually of a confidential nature and is not considered for public consumption.