Public Health Act (S.N.W.T. 2007,c.17,SI-007-2009)

This Act consisting of 52 articles divided in 7 Parts aims at the protection of the health of the population. The Act deals, among other things, with (i) health protection; (ii) administration and enforcement; (iii) drinking water safety; (iv) health surveillance and reportable diseases; (v) powers of public health authorities and the government in the event of a threat to the health of the population, including Public Health Emergency; and (vi) Personal health information. The Act also contains specific health provisions for food establishments and drinking water safety including restrictions to water supply operators and water supply systems. Environmental Health Officers are in charge to ensure the safety of drinking water. In that sense, The Chief Public Health Officer may approve water sources for water supply systems. Subject to subsection (3), an operator shall ensure that the water made available or provided to users of a water supply system (a) is suitable and safe for human consumption; and (b) meets all requirements and standards for drinking water set out in regulations made, or in standards adopted, under this Act. The document also entitles The Chief Public Health Officer to inquire into any complaint that he or she receives in respect of the quality of water made available or provided to users of a water supply system to determine whether the water presents a health hazard. Finally, as to food establishments, the document determines that any person who operates a food establishment shall operate and maintain the premises in a clean and sanitary manner and ensure that care is taken in the manufacture, processing, preparation, packaging, storage, handling, display, transportation, distribution, serving and sale of food in order to prevent contamination of the food and other risks to the public health.