Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): The federal government has officially appointed Dr. Joss Reimer as Canada’s next Chief Public Health Officer (CPHO), filling a high-profile vacancy left by Dr. Theresa Tam’s retirement last June. Dr. Reimer, a veteran physician and former President of the Canadian Medical Association, was formally introduced by Health Minister Marjorie Michel on Friday. She is slated to begin her three-year term on April 1, 2026, assuming leadership of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) during a period of mounting clinical and social challenges.
Dr. Reimer is widely recognized for her previous role as the medical lead for Manitoba’s COVID-19 vaccine task force, where she was praised for her steady, evidence-based communication style. Beyond pandemic management, her professional background includes extensive research into drug-related harms and sexually transmitted infections, as well as a historic commitment to reconciliation; she notably delivered the CMA’s first formal apology to Indigenous Peoples for systemic harms within the medical field. This combination of clinical expertise and social advocacy is seen as a strategic fit for the current national health climate.
The incoming CPHO faces a demanding agenda immediately upon taking office. Health Minister Michel emphasized that Canada is currently navigating a “critical time” marked by a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases—most notably measles—alongside the persistent toxic drug crisis and the threat of avian influenza. In early statements, Dr. Reimer identified “health misinformation” as one of her most formidable targets, arguing that the speed at which false data travels in the digital age requires a more proactive and unified federal response.
Supporters from the medical community, including current CMA President Dr. Margot Burnell, have expressed confidence in Reimer’s ability to lead with “calm and reason.” As she transitions from her recent position as Chief Medical Officer for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to the national stage in Ottawa, the focus will remain on her ability to restore public trust in federal health institutions while addressing the evolving threats to Canada’s public well-being.
