Public Health in This Region

The NS/PEI Branch is unique in that it represents public health inspectors in two provinces, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Below you will find information and links to help you learn more about the role of public health inspectors currently working in this area and learn about public health programs and services offered in our region.
 
 
Public Health in Nova Scotia
The Province of Nova Scotia delivers public health programs through a number of provincial government departments. Prior to 1995, all public health inspectors employed with the province delivered public health services through the Department of Health. Since that time various programs were separated and merged with other departments. A number of changes since then has resulted in the current organizational structure described below:

• Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, Food Protection and Enforcement Division - Food Safety Section:  To work as a Food Safety Specialist with this Department you must be certified as a public health inspector by CIPHI. Food Safety Specialists conduct regular inspections of retail food shops, eating establishments, hospitals, schools and nursing homes across the province and provide food safety training to Nova Scotians working in the food industry. Regulatory activities carried out by staff with this Department are legislated under the provincial Meat Act, the Health Protection Act and Agriculture & Marketing Act. This Department was the recipient of the 2000 Alexander Officer Award for meritorious achievement in the field of public health. Contact a Food Safety Specialist or find out more about the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Section.


• Nova Scotia Department of Environment:  Some public health inspectors in Nova Scotia work for this Department as Inspector Specialists. Inspector Specialists are involved in a wide variety of tasks and audit functions including on-site septic system installation, waste diversion, occupational health and safety, water quality and environmental protection issues. Regulatory Activities carried out by staff with this Department are legislated under the provincial Environment Act. Contact a regional office or learn more about the Nova Scotia Department of Environment.

Both Departments listed above work cooperatively with regional health authority Public Health Services and the Medical Officers of Health at the Department of Health Protection and Promotion to deliver their programs.

Public Health in P.E.I.
The Province of Prince Edward Island delivers environmental health programs through Environmental Health Services of the Population Health Division within the Department of Health.  All environmental health programs are provided from one office, centrally located in Charlottetown. All environmental health officers are Certified Public Health Inspectors, maintaining membership in the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors.

Environmental Health Services strives to promote and protect the health and safety of Islanders and visitors through its focus on education, consultation, and inspections of public and private services and facilities. The work of environmental health on P.E.I. is based on the P.E.I. Public Health Act, P.E.I. Tobacco Sales and Access Act, P.E.I. Child Care Facilities Act, P.E.I. Community Care Facilities Act, and pursuant regulations under these Acts.

Food Protection Program: The primary goal of this program is to prevent foodborne illness through consultation, education, and enforcement of regulations. Approximately 1200 facilities are inspected including, but not limited to, eating establishments, licensed premises, bakeries, abattoirs, and community halls. Public education is an integral part of the food protection program.

Institutional Program: The goal of this program is to control communicable disease in institutions including child care and community care facilities.

Tobacco Program: This program restricts youth access to tobacco with the ultimate goal of reducing the smoking rates of young people on P.E.I., under the jurisdiction of the PEI Tobacco Sales and Access Act, and the federal Tobacco Act. A new act, the Smoke-Free Places Act, will soon be enforced with the goal of reducing smoking in public places.

Recreational Program: The aim of this program is to prevent the spread of communicable disease and to ensure the availability of emergency aid equipment. Activities include inspection of the following:

• summer camps for children 
• swimming pools 
• bathing beaches 
• provincial day use parks 
• special events 

Legislation includes the P.E.I. Swimming Pool and Water Slide Regulations, and the P.E.I. Summer Trailer Court, Tenting and Camp Area Regulations.

Environmental Health Program: Public health protection of residents and visitors of P.E.I. are regulated through this program. Legislative authority for this program falls under the Public Health Act. Issues dealt with under this program include:

• sewage and noise complaints 
• solid waste 
• rodent control 
• input on environmental impact assessments 
• tattoo parlor inspection 
• sanitary surveys 
• bio-terrorism 
• miscellaneous public concerns and complaints 

Education Program: Education is a necessary tool for the prevention of illness and promotion of health and safety. Food safety courses are widely given throughout the province. Non-food education activities have covered such topics as:

• playground equipment safety 
• swimming pool operation 
• skating arena indoor air quality 
• sanitation in child care centres 

Rental Accommodation Program: The objective of this program is to ensure that health standards of rental accommodations are met. Legislation used for this program include the P.E.I. Public Health Act, and the P.E.I. Rental Accommodation Regulations. All activities under this program are complaint generated.

Radiation Safety Program: The monitoring of all x-ray equipment and radiation devices on P.E.I. falls under this program. Environmental Health coordinates this program by contractual agreement with the Radiation Safety Division of Health Canada under the P.E.I. Radiation Safety Regulations.

To find out more about these public health programs on Prince Edward Island, click here to link to the Regulatory Services Division.