News

Brantford, Ont. – On January 1, 2025, Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) officially began operations, following the merger of the Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) and the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit (HNHU), a collaboration announced on December 2, 2024.

GEPH will serve the County of Brant, City of Brantford, Haldimand County, and Norfolk County. This merger strengthens public health services across the region, enhancing capacity, improving service delivery, and creating a unified network to better support local communities.

The new Board of Health for GEPH consists of one council appointee from Haldimand County, two council appointees from Norfolk County, two council appointees from the City of Brantford, one council appointee from the County of Brant, along with up to five appointees appointed by the Province.

The new GEPH Board of Health is composed of the following members:

• Amy Martin, Chair
• John Bell, Vice-Chair
• Kim Huffman, County Council Appointee
• Shelley Ann Bentley, County Council Appointee
• Dan McCreary, City Council Appointee
• Rose Sicoli, City Council Appointee
• Susan Brown, Provincial Appointee
• Mike Bodnar, Provincial Appointee
• Joy O’ Donnell, Provincial Appointee

While the two health units have officially merged under the GEPH banner, the delivery of services will remain unaffected for the time being. GEPH’s priority is to ensure a seamless transition, while maintaining the high standard of health services that the public has come to rely on.

The former BCHU and HNHU locations will continue to operate with their current hours, ensuring seamless access to programs and services across the Brantford-Brant and Haldimand-Norfolk regions. Residents can expect to access services as they always have while Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH) works toward full integration. The integration of programs from the two former health units into a unified entity will be implemented gradually over the course of 2025.

GEPH will undergo a complete rebranding in 2025, which will include the launch of a new website and unified social media accounts. Until then, community members can continue to visit www.bchu.org and www.hnhu.org for updates and community-specific information.

Quote(s):

“As we embark on this exciting new chapter with the formation of Grand Erie Public Health, we are committed to strengthening our public health services and ensuring a seamless transition for the communities we serve. Together, we will continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our residents, delivering the quality care and services they expect and deserve.”

Brent Richardson, Chief Executive Officer, Grand Erie Public Health

“The merger of the Brant County and Haldimand-Norfolk Health Units into Grand Erie Public Health is a momentous step toward creating a more cohesive and effective public health system for our communities. This collaboration will not only enhance the services we provide but also allow us to better respond to the evolving needs of our residents. I’m looking forward to working with my new colleagues to merge our common and shared priorities.”

Amy Martin, Board Chair, Grand Erie Public Health

Grand Erie Public Health (GEPH ) is one of Ontario’s public health units. GEPH formed in January 2025 when the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit and Brant County Health Unit merged. We are dedicated to promoting and protecting the health and well-being of communities within the County of Brant, City of Brantford, Haldimand County, and Norfolk County. Our work is guided by the Health Protection and Promotion Act and the Ontario Public Health Standards, ensuring that our programs and services meet the highest standards of public health practice. We are committed to fostering healthy communities through prevention, education, and health promotion, while working in collaboration with local partners to address the unique needs of our diverse populations.

–30–