Porcupine and Timiskaming Health Units Moving Towards a Voluntary Merger

Timmins, Ontario — Wednesday, August 30, 2023. The Boards of Health for the Porcupine Health Unit (PHU) and for the Timiskaming Health Unit (THU) are taking steps towards a voluntary merger to strengthen public health in the communities they serve.

“While several reports over many years have recommended a merger between our health units, recent events including the COVID-19 pandemic have confirmed the benefits of a merger to increase staff capacity to deliver public health programming and to respond to surges and emergencies,” states Dr. Lianne Catton, Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer for the Porcupine Health Unit.

“The merger will strengthen local public health programs and services while increasing efficiencies,” says Dr. Glenn Corneil, Acting Medical Officer of Health for the Timiskaming Health Unit. “Programs and services will continue as-is in local health unit offices in both regions during the merger process.”

Throughout this process, including pending final government approval, the PHU and the THU will continue to engage with community partners and municipalities to maintain our strong local connections.