Health Council Act

Short title

1 This Act may be cited as the Health Council Act. 1990, c. 13, s. 1.

Interpretation

2 In this Act,

(a) "Council" means the Provincial Health Council;

(b) "Minister" means the Minister of Health and Fitness. 1990, c. 13, s. 2.

Provincial Health Council

3 The Provincial Health Council is hereby established. 1990, c. 13, s. 3.

Members of Council

4 (1) The Council consists of

(a) twelve members appointed by the Governor in Council through a public appointment process from a list of names of persons nominated by the general public as a result of a call by the Governor in Council for nominations from the general public;

(b) the Deputy Minister of Health and Fitness;

(c) the Administrator of Policy and Planning in the Department of Health and Fitness; and

(d) the Executive Director of the Council.

Right to vote

(2) A person who is a member of the Council by reason of holding an office referred to in clause (b), (c) or (d) of subsection (1) may not vote in the deliberations of the Council.

Term of member

(3) Each member appointed to the Council pursuant to clause (a) of subsection (1) shall be appointed for a term of three years except that of the first members appointed to the Council, four shall be appointed for a term of three years, four shall be appointed for a term of two years and four shall be appointed for a term of one year.

Re-appointment

(4) A person appointed pursuant to subsection (3) may be re-appointed but no person may be appointed for more than two consecutive three-year terms.

Quorum

(5) A majority of the voting members of the Council constitutes a quorum.

Unexpired portion of term

(6) Where a person appointed pursuant to clause (a) of subsection (1) ceases to be a member of the Council for any reason other than the expiration of that persons term of office, the Governor in Council may appoint a person for the unexpired portion of the term.

Vacancy

(7) A vacancy in the membership of the Council does not impair the ability of the remaining members to act.

Expenses

(8) Each member of the Council shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses necessarily incurred by the member in connection with the work of the Council. 1990, c. 13, s. 4.

Duties of Council

5 The duties of the Council are to advise the Governor in Council, through the Minister, in the development of a comprehensive health policy, comprising health goals and objectives and in setting the overall direction of the health care system in the Province. 1990, c. 13, s. 5.

Manner of performing duties

6 In carrying out its duties, the Council shall

(a) invite community organizations, health care providers, consumers and individual members of the general public to provide advice on health issues under review by the Council through methods including public symposia, hearings and distribution of briefs and discussion papers;

(b) provide to the Governor in Council a balanced and informed view of the health care system;

(c) review particular issues referred to the Council by the Governor in Council, through the Minister, and advise the Governor in Council on those issues;

(d) increase public awareness and knowledge of health issues, including population health status, the cost of the health care system and personal responsibility to improve health;

(e) enhance the awareness of Government of emerging health issues from the public viewpoint. 1990, c. 13, s. 6.

Chair

7 The Council shall elect, annually, one of its members, appointed pursuant to clause (a) of subsection (1) of Section 4, to chair meetings of the Council. 1999, c. 9, s. 1.

Committees of Council

8 (1) The Council may establish committees to examine specific health issues, including health goals, ethics and health technology.

Appointment to committees

(2) The Council may appoint persons who are not members of the Council to a committee and a member of the Council shall preside over meetings of the committee.

Expenses

(3) Members of a committee shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses necessarily incurred by them in connection with the work of the Committee. 1990, c. 13, s. 8.

Executive Director

9 The Governor in Council may, after consultation with the Council, appoint an Executive Director for the Council upon such terms and conditions, including remuneration, as is determined by the Governor in Council. 1990, c. 13, s. 9.

Personnel

10 (1) Such persons as are required for the administration of this Act shall be appointed by the Council in accordance with the Civil Service Act.

Experts

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Council may, with the approval of the Minister, engage, upon such terms and conditions, including remuneration, as the Council deems fit, the services of such professional persons, technical persons and experts to advise the Council or a committee of the Council. 1990, c. 13, s. 10.

Employees of Department of Health and Fitness

11 In carrying out its duties the Council shall, in consultation with the Deputy Minister of Health and Fitness, engage the services of employees of the Department of Health and Fitness. 1990, c. 13, s. 11.

Funds

12 Funds required by the Council to carry out its duties shall be from money appropriated for that purpose by the Legislature. 1990, c. 13, s. 12.

Annual report

13 (1) The Council shall report to the Governor in Council from time to time through and upon the request of the Minister and shall make an annual report on the activities of the Council.

Tabling of annual report

(2) The Minister shall table the annual report of the Council in the Assembly, if the Assembly is then sitting, and if the Assembly is not sitting, within fifteen days of its next sitting. 1990, c. 13, s. 13.

Repeal

14 Chapter 196 of the Revised Statutes, 1989, the Health Councils Act, is repealed. 1990, c. 13, s. 14.

Proclamation

15 This Act comes into force on and not before such day as the Governor in Council orders and declares by proclamation. 1990, c. 13, s. 15.

Proclaimed - November 13, 1990

In force - November 14, 1990