Local Governments should be aware that under section 83 of the Public Health Act a local government is required to take certain steps when it becomes aware of a health hazard in its jurisdiction including reporting a health hazard to a health officer or taking an action that the local government has authority to take under the Public Health Act or another enactment to respond to the health hazard. Further, they must provide health officers with information that health officers require and consider advice or information provided to them by a health officer.
As an example, if a local government became aware of an intended gathering or actual gathering of people that was contrary to the Provincial Health Officer’s March 17th Order limiting certain gatherings to less than 50 people, the local government should report it to the Health Officer under this section of the Public Health Act.
Additionally, a local government must designate one of its members or an officer or employee of the local government as the local government liaison for the purposes of section 83.
A local government may request a Medical Health Officer to issue an order under the Public Health Act in respect of a health hazard.
Under section 84 of the Public Health Act anything that a local government is required to do under the Public Health Act may be done together with another local government.
