Annual Report

Grand Erie Public Health was established on January 1, uniting the Brant County Health Unit and the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit into a stronger, more resilient organization dedicated to the well-being of our communities. During this transition, we brought our public health programs and services together as one organization, supporting more than 250,000 residents across the City of Brantford, the County of Brant, Haldimand County, and Norfolk County.

This transformational journey also marked the establishment of a new Board of Health and the arrival of key leaders who helped set the tone for what was ahead. In July, Dr. Jason Malenfant was appointed Medical Officer of Health, followed by Sarah Page as Chief Executive Officer in August. Together, they brought a strong sense of purpose and momentum that resonated across the organization.

Our New Identity, Inspired by the Communities We Serve

Our new identity was shaped by the communities we serve. We invited residents and local partners to share what public health means to them, and this valuable insight informed both our visual identity and how we communicate.

In late November, our new unified identity emerged: a bold, connected shield symbolizing GEPH’s three key public health pillars: prevention, protection, and promotion. Grounded in this work, our brand voice reflects who we are: determined, trusted, and committed to protecting and promoting the health of our communities.

Supporting Health Across Our Communities

As part of this journey, we continued to strengthen how we support community health through high-quality programs and services. This included enhancing vaccination outreach, advancing oral and sexual health services, and improving how we monitor and respond to population and environmental health trends. We also focused on increasing access to essential services, from early childhood development to harm reduction, while deepening partnerships with local schools and community organizations.

At the same time, we remained responsive to emerging public health risks. Just ten days into our new chapter as GEPH, a confirmed measles case in the region soon grew, and the largest Canadian measles outbreak in decades was declared before the end of January. Our dedicated team of health care professionals reacted quickly to over 300 confirmed cases, promoting prevention and protection with community partners to ensure residents were informed and supported. During a summer defined by extreme weather alerts and a rise in the number of suspected possible rabies exposures, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and West Nile virus, our coordinated response ensured the continued protection of our communities.

Focused on What Comes Next

As we pave the road ahead, development of a new strategic plan is already in motion, serving as a guiding compass for the future of public health in our region. Program harmonization is progressing steadily, with teams working to align and streamline the high-quality programs and services our communities trust.

As determined defenders of community health, we will remain unshakeable in safeguarding the well-being of everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from, through 2026 and beyond.

2025 was a defining year for public health in our region. Grand Erie Public Health was formed through the integration of two strong organizations, united by a shared commitment to protect and improve the health of our communities across a diverse and evolving region. 

As we came together, we also introduced a new identity that reflects who we are and what we stand for. Being determined defenders of community health is more than a statement, it is a deep commitment to how we serve every day. It speaks to our responsibility to protect, promote, and prevent, and to ensure every person in our region has the opportunity to live a healthy life. 

Throughout the year, we balanced two priorities: continuing to deliver services to our communities while building a stronger, unified organization for the future. Even as we integrated systems, aligned teams, and established a shared path forward, our teams were out in the community, schools, clinics, and in our offices providing health care, education, and support. 

I am incredibly proud of the compassion, dedication, and strength our staff have demonstrated over the past year. Together, we are building a cohesive organization, building the capacity of our team, and are ready to meet any future challenges with confidence. The progress we have made is just the beginning, and I am excited about what lies ahead.

The impact of public health is far-reaching, shaping the conditions that allow individuals and communities to thrive. It is reflected in the safety of the water we drink, the food we enjoy at our favourite restaurants, and the environments, programs, and services that support our daily lives. Whether working in the community or more quietly behind the scenes, our teams’ top priorities are always rooted in preventing disease, protecting health, and promoting healthy living in a compassionate and equitable manner.

In 2025, our teams rose to meet a series of complex and high-impact public health challenges. We managed the largest measles outbreak Ontario has seen in decades, responded to a surge in suspected rabies exposures reported by healthcare providers, and led the public health response to the first regional detection of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, an emerging tick-borne threat in the province. Throughout the year, our staff demonstrated not only technical expertise, but also courage, adaptability, and a deep sense of purpose. Their work reflects the very best of public health: responsive, collaborative, and deeply committed to protecting the communities we serve.

Public health is at its strongest when risks are anticipated and prevented before they occur. As a newly unified organization, we have a unique opportunity – and responsibility – to build a stronger, more connected system that meets the evolving needs of our communities. Every member of our team operates on the fundamental belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a safe and healthy life, no matter what barriers they may face or where they come from. We are driven by a shared mission not only to protect health today, but to shape a healthier future for generations to come.

In 2025, the program supported 64 community health care offices across the region, managing the distribution of all publicly funded vaccine inventory, followed proper vaccine storage and handling practices, and provided updates on immunization guidelines or publicly funded schedules. Enforcing the Immunization of School Pupils Act (ISPA), GEPH accessed immunization records for elementary and secondary students born in 2008, 2013, 2016, and 2017. By communicating with parents, schools, and health care providers, offering navigational support, and administering vaccines through community clinics, records for 3,661 of more than 4,000 students were updated before suspensions took place. 

The Oral Health program completed screening and assessment activities across 93 elementary schools to monitor the oral health status of students, identifying and facilitating referrals for urgent or preventative dental needs. Through the Healthy Smiles Ontario (HSO) and the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP), 1,640 clinic appointments were provided to youth and low-income seniors, ensuring community-wide access to essential oral health care.

In 2025, the program focused on preventing the spread of several critical public health threats, including active tuberculosis, syphilis, and invasive group A streptococcal infection within the community. The team also managed over 300 measles cases during the largest provincial outbreak in decades. The program supported acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, retirement homes, congregate living settings, and childcare centres in managing more than 162 respiratory and gastrointestinal outbreaks. Public health inspectors reviewed personal service settings to ensure compliance with food safety and infection prevention and control requirements.

In 2025, GEPH led the public health response to discovering Rocky Mountain spotted fever in ticks in the region. Lyme disease remained the fourth most frequently reported disease of public health significance locally, reflecting the ongoing expansion of blacklegged tick populations. West Nile virus (WNV) activity was also detected in the region, with a confirmed human case and multiple positive mosquito pools identified.

Although the risk of encountering a rabid animal in our region is low, GEPH investigates all cases where an animal has bitten or scratched a person for potential rabies exposure. In 2025, our public health inspectors carried out 1,385 rabies investigations, including the management of a significant possible exposure in a childcare setting. Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis was swiftly and successfully administered to 305 individuals throughout the region.

1768 sexual health clinic appointments were conducted in 2025. The program offered birth control services, sexually transmitted and blood-borne infection (STBBI) screening, emergency contraception, intrauterine device ( IUD) assessments, Pap exams, syphilis staging, test-of-cure follow-ups, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) initiations. 1187 clinic calls were triaged, with 689 reported STBBI community cases. 

In response to growing climate-related health risks, GEPH enhanced community preparedness through a harmonized cold, heat, and air quality alert notification system, and collaborated with emergency planners to provide guidance focused on integrating health equity into climate adaptation. 772 seasonal housing inspections were conducted in 2025, where public health inspectors proactively assessed housing conditions to prevent health risks related to water safety, sanitation, overcrowding, and environmental hazards. GEPH ranked among the highest volume of housing inspections across Canada.

Tobacco enforcement officers conducted 1,325 SFOA inspections and site visits, resulting in 103 warnings and tickets issued. Support was provided to secondary schools across the region to promote smoke-free and vape-free environments and increase awareness among students, faculty, parents, and caregivers. Routine inspections related to youth access and promotional display requirements were also performed, enforcing action for non-compliance when identified. 

Protecting access to safe drinking water and reducing the burden to water-borne illnesses related to drinking water is essential to public health and harm reduction. GEPH conducted 393 safe water inspections on Small Drinking Water Systems and Recreational Water Facilities across the region. We also offer free well water testing for residents whose drinking water comes from a private well, where water samples are tested for total coliforms and E. coli. Private well owners are encouraged to test their water every spring, summer, and fall, regardless of taste or smell.

Our public health inspectors help reduce and prevent food-borne illness in our community by investigating cases or complaints and inspecting food premises for unsafe food handling practices. In 2025, 3,340 food safety inspections were assessed and 482 special events in the community were approved, with results posted on our website. We also provided Food Handler Certification through monthly food safety courses and exams to the public. 

The program conducted a comprehensive assessment of the health status of residents across the region to raise awareness of population health in the community, and to inform the planning, improvement, and delivery of public health programs and services. Local affordability data was collected across the region using the Nutritious Food Basket survey to estimate the cost of basic healthy eating. Two new dashboards were developed for online public access: one for seasonal respiratory surveillance of COVID-19 and influenza, and another for updates on community outbreaks. Together with a coalition of schools and community partners, the health unit launched the evidence-based Planet Youth initiative in Haldimand-Norfolk, aimed at strengthening the prevention of youth substance use. 

In 2025, GEPH provided input on the Norfolk County Recreation Master plan, 14 development applications in Norfolk and Haldimand (HN) Counties, and completed active transportation and safety assessments with 5 elementary schools to contribute towards a healthy built environment in the GEPH region. We conducted the “It’s Time to Talk” men’s mental health campaign, generating 1,385 visits to our mental health page during November. At Woodview's weekly Youth Drop-in, staff provided education, referrals, physical activity, and employment support. Nearly 200 people attended and participated in 13 social recreational programs throughout the year. In 11 cancer bus screening events, we referred 36 people for screening. We also partnered with the City of Brantford and Brant Food Systems Coalition to host a community food forum where food insecurity challenges and potential solutions were discussed.  

The Lighthouse Community Strategy engaged 25 community partners in developing 26 recommendations for addressing harms associated with substance use and mental health in Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Haldimand and Norfolk counties. The health unit established the DROP (Dignity Resources Outreach Promotion), a judgement-free fixed site distribution centre where clients can obtain harm reduction equipment and speak directly with public health professionals. Meanwhile, in Brantford, we collaborated with the Drugs Strategy Coordinating Committee to develop a 2025 Drug Strategy Action Plan, and launched the “Supporting Our Youth to Navigate Substance Use” campaign with facts and tips that supported starting conversations with youth in the community about substance use. 

In 2025, over 2,000 families were supported with prenatal, postpartum, breastfeeding, growth and development, and parenting services. Parents were provided with a revised newborn guide that reflects community resources across the region. The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) strategy established an internal working group and developed a three-year intervention plan aligned with Ontario Early Years framework.

During the 2024-2025 school year, 250 unique clients received sexual health outreach services provided by school health nurses across the region. GEPH attended 92% of Welcome to Kindergarten events, sharing information on developmental screening and kindergarten preparation for families. Through a partnership with the Lions Club of Haldimand-Norfolk, 1,033 Senior Kindergarten students across 39 schools received vision screenings. In collaboration with Grand Erie District School Board (GEDSB) and Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board (BHNCDSB), the food literacy and nutrition initiative, You’re the Chef, was implemented to promote healthy eating to more than 100 students.