Ontario Makes Chief Medical Officer Independent

Summary#

This Ontario bill changes how the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) is chosen, overseen, and replaced. It makes the CMOH an independent officer of the Legislature, not part of the government’s executive branch. It also sets up an all-party process for appointments and creates a cross‑party committee to advise the CMOH during declared health emergencies.

• Makes the CMOH an officer of the Legislative Assembly and sets a five‑year term, renewable once.
• Requires an all‑party panel to unanimously select the CMOH candidate before the Assembly appoints them.
• Sets a high bar to remove or suspend the CMOH: a two‑thirds vote of the Assembly, and only “for cause” (for a specific, justified reason).
• Lets the Legislature’s Board of Internal Economy (the Assembly’s management board) set salary/benefits, approve expenses, and act if the Assembly is not meeting.
• Allows appointment of a temporary CMOH when the office is vacant or the CMOH cannot serve, including while the Assembly is not in session.
• Creates a select committee with equal party representation during declared public health emergencies to give and receive advice with the CMOH.
• Clarifies that the Associate CMOH’s duties are set in writing by the CMOH.
• Repeals one section of the current law and removes certain references to the CMOH in another section.

What it means for you#

• Residents

  • Day‑to‑day public health services will not change.
  • In a declared health emergency, an all‑party committee will work with the CMOH. This may mean more cross‑party oversight and communication.
  • The CMOH’s role is more independent from the government of the day, which may support steadier public health advice across election cycles.

• Health workers and public health units

  • Leadership terms are fixed (five years, with one possible renewal), which can add stability.
  • If the CMOH is absent or the job is vacant, a temporary CMOH can be appointed to keep decisions moving.
  • The Associate CMOH’s responsibilities will be set directly by the CMOH in writing.

• Elected officials and parties

  • All recognized parties must agree on a CMOH candidate before the Assembly appoints them.
  • A select committee with equal party representation must be set up during declared health emergencies to interact with the CMOH.
  • Removing or suspending a CMOH requires broad, cross‑party support and a clear reason.

• Current CMOH

  • The person in the role when the bill becomes law is treated as being in their first term, and time already served counts toward that five‑year term.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

• Strengthens independence and accountability by making the CMOH report to the Legislature, not the government.
• Requires all‑party agreement to appoint or reappoint the CMOH, reducing partisan control.
• Fixed terms and a high threshold for removal protect evidence‑based public health advice.
• Ensures continuity through clear rules for temporary appointments if the CMOH cannot serve.
• Adds cross‑party oversight during emergencies, which can build public trust and improve transparency.

Opponents' View#

• Could slow appointments or decisions because of the need for unanimous all‑party agreement and supermajority votes.
• May blur lines of responsibility during emergencies by adding a select committee that “advises” the CMOH.
• A two‑thirds requirement to remove the CMOH might make it hard to act quickly if performance is poor.
• Shifts control from the executive branch to the Legislature, which some may view as politicizing a health role.
• Administrative changes (salary setting, committees) could add complexity without clear benefits.