Toronto ~ Provincial government announces new Commissioner of Public Health
21 January 2003 Canada NewsWire

TORONTO, Jan. 21 /CNW/ - Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, today announced that the Ontario government has appointed Dr. Colin D'Cunha to the newly-created post of Commissioner of Public Health and Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM).

"Dr. Colin D'Cunha brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this new post," said Clement. "The lessons learned in the last three years in managing public health demonstrate the need for governments to show leadership. Dr. D'Cunha will provide that in his new enhanced role in safeguarding the public health of all Ontarians."

Dr. D'Cunha will continue in his statutory role as Chief Medical Officer of Health with powers under the Health Protection and Promotion Act while assuming his position of Commissioner of Public Health and ADM.

As Commissioner of Public Health, Dr. D'Cunha will be working closely with other ministries, such as Environment, Municipal Affairs and Housing, Agriculture and Food, and Natural Resources to provide linkages for public health and safety.

"I have great confidence in Dr. D'Cunha's abilities because of the way that he has administered recent public health promotion programs such as the highly successful universal influenza immunization program," said Deputy Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Phil Hassen. "At the same time, he has been an effective leader in managing public health issues such as West Nile Virus, the threat of bio-terrorism and the management of emerging diseases.

Dr. D'Cunha has been the province's Chief Medical Officer of Health since October 1998.

This news release is available on our website at: http://www.gov.on.ca/health/

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