Client: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
Solution: Core Competencies for Public Health
The need for engagement: To develop a competent public health workforce that will strengthen the public health system in Canada
The need to strengthen the public health system in Canada was identified by many organizations and the pan-Canadian framework to strengthen public health capacity identified Core Competencies for public health as a foundational building block. The Federal/Provincial/Territorial Joint Task Group on Public Health Human Resources developed a draft set of core competencies in 2005.
Shaping the solution: Regional Consultation Meetings Phases I & II
In Phase I (2005-06), Intersol conducted a preliminary consultation on a draft set of core competencies with public health stakeholders across Canada. Stakeholders included provincial / territorial governments, regional representatives from the Public Health Agency of Canada, public health authorities and associations. A second draft of the core competencies was produced in October, 2006.
In Phase II, Intersol supported this group by collaboratively designing an agenda and consistent meeting process for a series of nine regional consultation meetings that were held across Canada from Nov 2006 to Oct 2007.
Representation at these regional sessions included federal/provincial/territorial governments, regional health authorities and local public health units, human resource departments, unions, public health associations, professional associations, regulatory bodies, academic institutions and public health practitioners.
Intersol facilitated these regional consultation sessions to provide an opportunity for public health stakeholder community participants to:
- finalize the core competencies that will support and strengthen the public health workforce;
- identify associated opportunities, challenges and strategies;
- identify roles and responsibilities among public health partners; and
- refine the draft set of core competencies.
Assessing the outcomes: Core Competencies for Public Health in Canada: Release 1.0
The Core Competencies for Public Health in Canada: Release 1.0 was launched at the 98th Annual Canadian Public Health Association conference in September 2007. For more information about this initiative or to see the report “Building the Public Health Workforce for the 21st Century visit: