Dr. Joss Reimer has been appointed Canada’s recent chief public health officer, with a stated priority of combating health misinformation and rebuilding public trust, according to an announcement made Friday.
In an interview the day her three-year mandate was announced, Reimer, originally from Manitoba, emphasized the need for a proactive federal approach to addressing false information. “One of the biggest challenges with health misinformation is how quickly it evolves, given that it doesn’t take long to create a lie,” she said.
Reimer acknowledged that trust in institutions, including health information sources, had been eroded during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The hardships were such that people were losing their jobs and income, and being separated from loved ones. Whether those decisions were justified or not, it was difficult,” she stated. “So we have a lot of function to do to rebuild trust, and that will take years.”
Dr. Theresa Tam, Reimer’s predecessor, became a prominent public figure during the pandemic, providing frequent updates to Canadians on evolving epidemiological data and public health guidance. Tam retired in June after eight years in the role.
Prior to her appointment, Reimer served as medical officer of health for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and as the medical lead for the Manitoba COVID-19 vaccine implementation task force.
Health Minister Marjorie Michel stated that Reimer joins the Public Health Agency of Canada at a critical time, citing a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, threats posed by avian influenza A(H5N1), HIV, and tuberculosis, the ongoing effects of the illegal drug crisis, and the detrimental impact of health misinformation.
Reimer highlighted her unique perspective on the measles outbreak, noting that she comes from a small town affected by the epidemic where vaccine hesitancy was present. “We need partnerships on the ground, from community leaders to the federal government,” she said.
Canada lost its measles elimination status in 1998, a development public health experts have described as alarming. The United States and Mexico are also at risk of losing their status. Reimer stated that the increase in measles cases was not surprising, given the disease’s “incredibly contagious” nature and “the proliferation of misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.”
Canadian health officials have warned that misinformation extends beyond social media platforms. In December, Minister Michel told The Canadian Press that American health institutions were no longer reliable sources of information for Canadians, following the Trump administration’s cuts to research funding and promotion of false information about vaccines. Michel stated at the time that former U.S. President Donald Trump had “slapped” Canada and altered the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
Reimer indicated that Canada must be self-reliant in ensuring the dissemination of accurate information. “I know We find still really extraordinary people in the American system who are doing great work. So there are many ways to continue to work together,” she added.
Reimer holds a Master of Public Health degree and has conducted research on sexually transmitted infections and harms related to substance use. Nancy Hamzawi, chair of the Agency, expressed enthusiasm about working with Reimer, stating that her “vision and commitment will aid advance public health and the well-being of Canadians” in a press statement.
Reimer previously served as president of the Canadian Medical Association, where she issued a formal apology to Indigenous peoples for the harms caused by the medical profession. Dr. Margot Burnell, current president of the Canadian Medical Association, described Reimer as a source of calm and reason for Manitobans during the pandemic. Burnell noted that Reimer, even as at the CMA, “led the fight against health misinformation and strongly advocated for solutions to improve access to care for all Canadians.”
Reimer is scheduled to assume her new role on April 1st.
