Health Minister Marjorie Michel has revealed that Manitoba’s key figure in the vaccination campaign, Dr. Joss Reimer, is set to become Canada’s next chief public health officer. In a recent social media post, Michel expressed her anticipation of collaborating with Reimer, praising her leadership, expertise, and dedication to safeguarding Canadians’ health.
Dr. Reimer, who assumes her new position on April 1, previously led Manitoba’s COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Taskforce and held the role of medical director of public health in Winnipeg. She also held the position of the head of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) until 2025.
Speaking with CBC’s As It Happens, Reimer emphasized the importance of countering misinformation and disinformation that Canadians are exposed to, underscoring her commitment to offering trustworthy evidence-based information. She stressed the significance of ensuring that information from the Public Health Agency of Canada is in the best interest of Canadians.
With a background in immunizations, sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, and harm reduction, as stated on the CMA website, Reimer’s experience includes a nine-year tenure at the University of Manitoba, where she spearheaded the university’s population health course.
Dr. Reimer expressed her intention to listen attentively and comprehend the diverse challenges and concerns across the nation. During her tenure as CMA president, she issued a formal apology to Indigenous communities in Canada for the CMA’s involvement in perpetuating racism in healthcare.
As Canada prepares for Dr. Reimer’s transition into the role of chief public health officer, she emphasized the need for collaboration with experts in Indigenous health and culture to guide the nation’s progress. Currently, Dr. Howard Njoo serves as the interim chief public health officer following Dr. Theresa Tam, who led the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic before stepping down in June.
Dr. Margot Burnell, the present CMA president, commended Reimer’s appointment, highlighting her as a dedicated and influential figure in public health. Burnell praised Reimer’s role in providing stability and reason during challenging times in Manitoba’s pandemic response efforts and acknowledged her passion and commitment evident during their collaboration on the CMA board.
