New Brunswick’s health minister introduced amendments to the Public Health Act Wednesday that will give the chief medical officer of health (CMOH) greater independence.

“New Brunswickers deserve public health decisions rooted in science, not politics,” John Dornan said.

With the amendments, the lieutenant-governor in council would be responsible for appointing the CMOH, and would have the authority to remove the appointee, but only for cause.

The proposed amendments would require that government officials giving directions to the CMOH provide them in writing, and the officer would have the discretion to publish those directions in the Royal Gazette.

The CMOH would also be required to present an independent annual report to the legislative assembly on the administration of the Public Health Act.

Green Leader David Coon said the announcement came almost eight years to the day that another Liberal health minister promised legislation to make the CMOH independent.

“And that was just weeks after his government had gutted the medical officer of health’s office staff,” Coon said, referring to former minister Benoit Bourque, who served in Brian Gallant’s cabinet in 2017.

“For the chief medical officer of health to be independent, they have to have sufficient expert staff in their office to do so,” Coon said. “Otherwise, we’re going to be reliant on staff from outside of their office who are not independent and are subject to the whims of their political masters.”

Dornan agreed with Coon’s view and said there has already been work with the CMOH to be sure there are adequate experts in the office.

“They can look outside when necessary,” Dornan said. “But we will ensure that they are funded appropriately, as requested, as needed.”

Coon also wondered about the reporting structure. He said the current structure has the CMOH reporting to the deputy minister of health, even though the role is considered equivalent to that of a deputy minister.

Dornan said the plan at the moment will be to keep the reporting structure as is, while recognizing the independence of the CMOH.

“There has to be a reporting structure, other wise the chief medical officer of health would report to (the Speaker),” Dornan said. “We think it will work. If it doesn’t, we will address it.”

If passed, the current CMOH (right now it’s Dr. Yves Léger) would be deemed to have started a new seven-year term from the date the amendments take effect.