Two new municipal representatives have joined the Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) Board

Date: October 11, 2023

Two new municipal representatives have joined the Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) Board, following the resignation of two councillors who stepped down in protest over governance concerns during recent labour disruptions.

Councillors Phil St.-Jean and Bill Roberts were appointed to fill the vacant board positions left by John Hirsch and Kate MacNaughton, who resigned last month citing a lack of transparency and the harmful impact on the community amid strike action at the health unit.

Their appointments come shortly after three-year collective agreements were finalized between HPEPH and Ontario Nurses’ Association (ONA) Local 31 and CUPE Local 3314. The nurses’ strike lasted six weeks, while CUPE members were off the job for less than two weeks. Both agreements are retroactive to January 1, 2023, and include wage increases of 3 per cent in the first year, followed by 2.5 per cent increases in years two and three, along with improved benefits.

During the labour disruption, public health offices in Picton, Quinte West, and Bancroft were closed, while the Belleville office remained open only for limited services, available by appointment or pickup.

At Tuesday night’s meeting, veteran public health nurse Jennifer Ronan, who has worked in public health for more than 20 years, addressed council and stressed the importance of continued advocacy on the board especially as funding reductions and health unit mergers loom.

Ronan reflected on how services have changed over the decades, noting that Prince Edward County once had a fully staffed public health office on King Street with front-facing staff available to answer questions directly.

“Today, the local presence has been reduced to a single room at the Prince Edward Family Health Team, with no public-facing public health staff,” she explained. Residents are now directed to a kiosk that connects them to Belleville, often reaching voicemail rather than immediate support.

Looking ahead, Ronan warned that smaller communities risk losing access and influence as public health units merge into larger organizations.

“Communities like Prince Edward County will need strong voices to protect their services and ensure residents receive value for their tax dollars,” she said.

Ronan also expressed gratitude to Hirsch and MacNaughton, crediting their resignations with energizing frontline workers during the strike.

“As one of the nurses who spent six extremely hot weeks on strike, I want to personally thank you,” she said. “Your actions gave us strength and determination. To me, you are heroes.”

Hirsch responded by shifting the praise back to the workers.

“The real courage came from the nurses,” he said. “You sacrificed six weeks of pay to make an important point.” He agreed that public health service levels have steadily declined over the years.

Although both Hirsch and MacNaughton were nominated to return to the board, they declined, with Hirsch stating he was confident the newly appointed councillors would serve the community well.