Southeast Public Health Board of Health Update for February 2026

Press Release – Southeast Public Health

The Southeast Public Health (SEPH) Board of Health met February 25 in Kingston for their regular monthly meeting. The agenda package is available online. 

Merger update 

The Board received a memo outlining the significant ongoing merger work underway, including, but not limited to:

• Harmonization of medical directives across the organization. Medical directives are written orders that authorize qualified health-care professionals to perform specific controlled acts and clinical activities for defined patient groups when predetermined conditions are met, without requiring a direct physician’s order at the time of care.
• Migration of content to the SoutheastPH.ca website in preparation for the March 31 launch.
• Continuation of rebranding work, including the installation of the new Southeast Public Health roadside signage in Belleville, Kingston, Smiths Falls, and Brockville.
• Harmonization of the computing infrastructures and network topology (how computers, servers, printers, routers, switches, etc. are connected and communicate within a network) and file architecture. 
• Completion of the staff Change Readiness Survey for 2025 Q4, with results to be shared in March.

Governance Committee update 

Mayor Robin Jones was elected as Chair and Barbara Proctor was elected as Vice Chair at the committee’s February 10 meeting.

The Board passed a motion brought forward by the Governance Committee to send a letter to the Public Appointments Secretariat and the Ministry of Health requesting the vacancies created by the conclusion of four provincial appointments be filled. Provincial appointees to public health boards represent provincial interests and typically serve terms of one to three years. 

Finance Committee update 

Councillor Anne-Marie Koiner was elected Chair and Councillor Peter McKenna was elected Vice Chair at the committee’s February 18 meeting. 

The Board received an update from the Finance Committee which included information about the draft, unaudited 2025 financial results showing that Southeast Public Health is in a favourable financial position with revenues slightly above plan due to additional one-time funding, while expenses were below plan, largely because eligible costs (including staff time, software harmonization, and occupancy costs) were charged to the voluntary merger budget. This has resulted in a projected surplus of approximately $3.6M, which subject to audit, will go into reserve to support future financial sustainability.

The Board deferred the staff presentation on the financial projections update until the next meeting on March 25, 2026.