Public Health Act [SBC 2008] Chapter 28

This Act consisting of 161 articles divided in 10 Parts supports dealing with current and emerging public health issues including communicable disease prevention and control, health promotion and health protection, chronic disease and injury prevention, poisonings and bioterrorism threats. The Public Health Act provides the minister, public health officials, regional health authorities, local governments, and others with important tools such as up-to-date information gathering abilities, modern inspection and ordering abilities and measures necessary to respond to public health emergencies. It works in concert with two other key public health statutes, the Drinking Water Protection Act and Food Safety Act. The Public Health Act deals more specifically with communicable diseases and environmental health hazards that are not covered by these other Acts. Health officials may also use the Public Health Act to complement their powers under these other Acts.