By Dan Jones-Northumberland 89.7 News, Local Journalism Initiative.

The Board of Directors of the Haliburton. Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit have voted in favour of voluntarily merging with Peterborough Public Health. The 5-1 vote Thursday, comes following correspondence with the Ministry of Health regarding the merger of smaller public health units.

Dr. Natalie Bocking, Medical Health Officer for Haliburton, Kawartha Pine, Ridge District Health Unit stated the letter from the Ministry indicated that regulatory changes were needed to facilitate the merger and that $10.1 million would be unlocked in year one for the merger, capital improvements and relieve pressures on programs and services, citing the vaccine preventable disease program.

Bocking, who just finished creating the 2025 budget said provincial funding pressures will continue to exist in the years to come without a merger.

“I think the challenges are going to compound year-to-year. Unless there is a significant change at the provincial level regarding funding policy or requirements, I don’t see any other way it would impact on programs and services,” Bocking stated. 

She indicated that cost-of-living and collective bargaining agreements would put added stress on the budget. Both public health units began examining the voluntary merger in February, as the province wanted a decision by January 1. Board Member Cecil Ryall who voted in favour of the merger questioned the longevity and ability of the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit to provide vital services and stay viable if current provincial funding stagnated.

“We’re in a position right now where we have to make a choice between a rock and a hard place,” Ryall said. “At the end of the day, as far as I can see, the one thing that has been consistent is that we all have come to the conclusion that the merger was in the best interest of all the people that we represent.”

Tracy Richardson, the only Board Member to vote against the merger, cited uncertainty without providing further details. 

“I will not be voting in favour of this merger because of the uncertainty, and who I’m representing as well,” explained Robinson.

Membership of the new Board of Health will include 9 municipal representatives (two from the County of Northumberland, two from the City of Kawartha Lakes, one from the County of Haliburton, two from the County of Peterborough, and two from the City of Peterborough). In addition, the new Board of Health intends to have section 50 representation as currently exists (one member from Curve Lake First Nation and one from Hiawatha First Nation). The new Board of Health will also include provincial appointees, as outlined in the Health Protection and Promotion Act, and these members are yet to be confirmed.

 "Peterborough residents became more familiar with public health's role and leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the health unit in our community has served us for over 135 years with a wide-reaching scope beyond infectious diseases,” said Councillor Joy Lachica, Board Chair for Peterborough Public Health. “With our friends at HKPR and the generous funding investment by the province, we will sustain and grow public health services for our residents."

 A new organizational structure and leadership team for the merged public health unit will be announced at a later time. Both current public health units will remain operational, with no immediate impact on programs and services provided to the public. A new identity and brand will be launched in early 2025.