Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) is one of 34 Public Health Units in the province of Ontario, Canada. RCDHU is jointly funded by the Province of Ontario and the obligated municipalities in Renfrew County and District which also include the City of Pembroke, the Township of South Algonquin and most of Algonquin Provincial Park.
The Health Unit’s main office is located in the City of Pembroke, with a branch office in the Town of Renfrew. Before COVID-19 there were approximately 60 staff members.
The geographic area of Renfrew County and District is 14,980 square kilometers and the population is estimated at 105,717 (2015).
Client Satisfaction Survey
Renfrew County and District Health Unit is committed to providing quality programs and services to the public. If you would like to provide feedback, please take a few minutes to complete this survey (via Survey Monkey). Your feedback is important to us.
Vision, Mission & Values
Vision
Optimal health for all in Renfrew County and District.
Mission
Renfrew County and District Health Unit protects and promotes the health and well-being of all residents through leadership, partnership, accountability and service excellence.
Values
Transparency: We operate ethically and transparently in the service of our communities.
Equity: We recognize and appreciate the diversity in Renfrew County and District and endeavour to address the unique needs of our population.
Excellence: We are committed to providing the best possible services for individuals and communities. We embrace a culture of continuous improvement, evidence-based decision making and lifelong learning.
Collaboration: We work with community partners to achieve shared goals.
The Medical Officer of Health reports directly to the Board of Health and as the executive officer is responsible for the management of the Health Unit’s public health programs and services.
Strategic Plan
The 2015 – 2021 Strategic Plan was informed by input from key stakeholders including health unit employees and community partners. The plan describes four strategic directions for moving towards “Optimal Health for All” in Renfrew County and District.
2021 Corporate Operational Plan
Legislative Mandate
The legislative mandate for Ontario’s 34 public health units is described in the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA). The guiding purpose of the HPPA is to “…provide for the organization and delivery of public health programs and services, the prevention of the spread of diseases and the promotion and protection of the health of the people of Ontario.” (R.S.O. 1990, c. H.7, s.2)
The Ontario Public Health Standards (OPHS) describe requirements for basic public health programs and services. These include assessment and surveillance, health promotion and policy development, disease and injury prevention, and health protection activities. These contribute to the physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being of all Ontarians.
Board of Health Members
Renfrew County and District Health Unit is governed by an autonomous Board of Health. The Board consists of elected and appointed representatives from the Province of Ontario, the County of Renfrew, the City of Pembroke and the Township of South Algonquin. The Renfrew County and District Health Unit’s Board of Health oversees the administration of the Health Unit’s programs and services.
2021 Board of Health Members are as follows:
M. Ann Aikens
M. Ann Aikens, a provincial appointee, is the Board of Health’s Chair, and a Member of the Board’s Executive, Governance, Resources and Stakeholder Relations Committees.
Michael Donohue
Michael Donohue, a representative of the County of Renfrew, sits as a Member of the Board’s Governance Committee.
J. Michael du Manoir
J. Michael du Manoir, a provincial appointee, is the Chair of the Board’s Resources Committee and a Member of the Executive Committee.
Jane Dumas
Jane Dumas, the Member from South Algonquin Township, is one of the Board’s representatives for the District. Dumas is the Chair of the Governance Committee and a Member of the Executive Committee.
Peter Emon
Peter Emon, a representative of the County of Renfrew, is the Vice-Chair of the Board, Chair of the Executive Committee and a Member of the Stakeholder Relations Committee.
Wilmer Matthews
Wilmer Matthews, a provincial appointee, is a Member of the Resources Committee.
Jennifer Murphy
Jennifer Murphy, a representative of the County of Renfrew, is a Member of the Resources Committee.
Christine Reavie
Christine Reavie, the City of Pembroke’s representative on the Board of Health, is Chair of the Stakeholder Relations Committee and a Member of the Executive Committee.
Cathy Regier
Cathy Regier, a representative of the County of Renfrew, is a Member of the Stakeholder Relations Committee.
Carolyn Watt
Carolyn Watt, a provincial appointee, is a Member of the Executive Committee and the Board’s Resources Committee.
Board of Health Meetings
Board of Health meetings take place on the last Tuesday of each month starting at 10 a.m. During the COVID-19 pandemic meetings are held on a virtual platform.
Normally there are no Regular Board meetings held in July, August or December.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.
Posted below are Board of Health meeting minutes:
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Friday, January 8, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, December 09, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 24, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 27, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Friday, October 9, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 29, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, July 28, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 30, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, May 27, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 26, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 28, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 31, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Board of Health Committees
Board of Health members are assigned to additional committees as follows: Executive Committee, Governance Committee, Resources Committee, and Stakeholder Relations Committee.
Meeting minutes are posted after they are approved by the applicable committee. Please see below:
Executive Committee
Tuesday, October 20, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Thursday, August 20, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Thursday, July 23, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 24, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 18, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 04, 2020 Afternoon Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 04, 2020 Morning Meeting Minutes
Monday, January 27, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Governance Committee
Monday, March 04, 2019 Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, February 20, 2019 Meeting Minutes
Monday, February 11, 2019 Meeting Minutes
Monday, February 04, 2019 Meeting Minutes
Monday, January 07, 2019 Meeting Minutes
Resources Committee
Thursday, March 18, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 16, 2021 Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 08, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, November 18, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 20, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Friday, September 18, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Thursday, August 20, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 18, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 28, 2020 Meeting Minutes
Stakeholder Relations Committee
Monday, November 18, 2019 Meeting Minutes
By-Laws
The following procedural by-law regulates the proceedings of the Board of Health: