Public Health Units Merge to form Haliburton Kawartha Northumberland Peterborough Public Health

The new Board of Health, has overseen the following merger-related activities so far in 2025 including:

• Formation of a new Board of Health, with Deputy Mayor Ron Black (Peterborough County) as Chair and Councillor Cecil Ryall (County of Haliburton) as Vice Chair, and subcommittees for Stewardship and Indigenous Health Advisory Circle
• Creation of a Transformation Team responsible for developing a reporting framework on merger progress
• The harmonization of accounting structures for a single organization budget
• Establishing the Senior Leadership Team and Management Team organizational structure
• Engaging a branding agency to develop a new name and brand identity, which will be launched in the fall
• Undertaking an Information Technology assessment and integration plan
• Identification of procurement and operating efficiencies to decrease business costs, while maintaining service delivery
• Work to undertake staff development in continuous quality improvement to identify efficiencies and program improvements, and change management to support merger success for staff and communities
• The Board of Health’s Stewardship Committee was established to ensure the responsible management of resources including financial, policy development, reporting transparency and resource management. The Board's current operating budget is $36.9 million with additional one-time provincial funding of up to $10.1 million from the provincial Ministry of Health to support mergers and strengthening public health related activities.

"This merger marks a new chapter in our collective journey to protect and promote the health of our communities,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer. “By uniting our strengths, expertise, and resources, we are better positioned to meet the evolving needs of the people we serve. This transition is about more than organizational change—it's about building a stronger, more resilient public health system that is responsive, equitable, and future-focused. I’m incredibly proud of the work our teams have done to come together with purpose, compassion, and a shared commitment to public health." 

The next meeting of the Board of Health will take place on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the Port Hope Office beginning at 9 a.m. These meetings are accessible via a LIVE stream through YouTube, in person or by a written Summary Report posted after the meeting. 

Did You Know We Merged?

As of January 1, 2025, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit and Peterborough Public Health merged to form the Haliburton Kawartha Northumberland Peterborough Public Health (legal name only). Efforts are currently underway to develop an operational name and a brand identity. In the meantime, you will see logos and other marketing material from both legacy organizations.

You may also see references and documents using the legal name Haliburton Kawartha Northumberland Peterborough Public Health.