Canada’s incoming chief public health officer, Dr. Joss Reimer, says her top priority will be rebuilding public trust in public health and improving the country’s ability to respond quickly to health misinformation. In comments given the day her appointment was announced, Reimer emphasized that false health claims evolve rapidly and can spread faster than evidence-based guidance, creating ongoing challenges for public health officials.
Reimer acknowledged that confidence in institutions, including medical guidance, was weakened during the COVID-19 pandemic. She pointed to the real-world strain Canadians experienced, including economic pressure and separation from loved ones, as factors that made public health decisions feel personal and difficult for many families. She indicated that restoring trust will not be immediate, and that the work will require sustained effort over years.
Her appointment follows the retirement of Dr. Theresa Tam, who served as chief public health officer for eight years and became a nationally recognized figure during the pandemic through frequent public briefings. Reimer is not new to high-profile public health roles. She previously served as a chief medical officer within the Winnipeg health authority and was a medical lead for Manitoba’s COVID-19 vaccine implementation task force.
Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel described the appointment as arriving at a critical moment, citing multiple pressures on the health system. These include a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, continued concern about avian influenza A (H5N1), persistent challenges related to HIV and tuberculosis, the ongoing impacts of the illegal drug crisis, and the broader harm caused by false health information.
Reimer noted she brings direct perspective on measles due to her connection to a small Manitoba community affected by the current outbreak. She pointed to vaccine hesitancy as a key obstacle and argued that rebuilding confidence will require partnerships at every level, from local community leadership to federal coordination. She also indicated that rising measles cases are not surprising given how infectious the disease is and the current environment of misinformation and skepticism around vaccines.
The Canadian Press report also highlights that Canadian officials have warned misinformation is not limited to social media and that trust in cross-border health information has become more complicated. Reimer said Canada must ensure it can stand on its own in providing reliable, science-based guidance, while still recognizing that many professionals in the United States continue to do credible work and that cooperation can remain possible.
Reimer’s background includes a master’s degree in public health and research on sexually transmitted infections and drug-related harms. She is also a former president of the Canadian Medical Association and, during her tenure, delivered a formal apology to Indigenous Peoples for harms caused by the medical profession. Leaders at the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Medical Association described her as a steady presence during the pandemic and credited her with sustained advocacy for combating false health information and improving access to care.
Dr. Reimer is scheduled to begin her three-year term on April 1, stepping into the role at a time when public health leadership is again being tested by fast-moving outbreaks, polarized information environments, and long-term system pressures.
