Public Health Agency of Canada

In the January 2004 Speech from the Throne, the Government of Canada called for the creation of a Public Health Agency of Canada and the appointment of a  Chief Public Health Officer (CHPO) for Canada, reporting directly to the Minister of Health.

The Chief Public Health Officer is the head of the Public Health Agency of Canada. The CPHO reports directly to the Minister of Health.

The  Public Health Agency of Canada has been created to deliver on the Government of Canada's commitment to help protect the health and safety of all Canadians. Its activities focus on:

• preventing chronic diseases, including cancer and heart disease,
• preventing injuries, and
• responding to public health emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks.