On November 18, GSL Associate Director Patrick Fafard appeared on CBC Eyeopener, a radio program out of Calgary, AB, to discuss the role of the provincial chief medical officer of health (CMOH) in Alberta and in other provinces across the country.
The central topic of the segment was centred around the question of who actually sets COVID-19 policy – the CMOH or the Premier of the province. In the interview, Fafard explained that in the case of Alberta, the Premier and his cabinet “call the shots,” and is advised by the CMOH, despite the fact that technically the CMOH could set policy independently. Fafard, however, stressed that such a move would most likely lead to the replacement of the CMOH and would erode trust in the role.
Furthermore, Fafard illustrated that CMOHs across Canada fulfill a variety of roles. They are the voice of the provincial government for public health measures, in most cases, senior advisers to the government and in certain provinces have a significant managerial role during public health emergencies.
Listen to the full segment here.
To learn more about the role of CMOHs in Canada, read our study here.
We’ve also looked at their respective role during COVID-19 in a study you can access here.
Steven Hoffman appeared on the Hill Times’ Hot Room Podcast to discuss the roadmap. You can listen to the conversation here.
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