The Department of Health will now publically release information regarding inspections done in restaurants and tobacco retail outlets by Environmental Health Services.
Beginning February 28, a summary of health orders, warnings and fines issued to restaurants, as well as warnings and fines issued to tobacco retailers, will be publicly posted to the Department of Health website every two months at: www.gov.pe.ca/environmentalhealth.
The new public access policy ties in with direction received from the Information and Privacy Commissioner requiring the Department of Health to release certain information in accordance to the Tobacco Sales and Access Act and the Eating Establishments and License Premises Regulations under the Public Health Act.
“This new disclosure system will provide the public with timely access to information concerning compliance of businesses and operators to provincial regulations,” says Teresa Hennebery, Director, Population Health. “We recognize that the public has a right to know about provincially inspected services and facilities. Easier public access to information will help citizens to make more informed decisions and also encourage operators to achieve higher standards.”
Additionally, in the Fall of 2007, full restaurant and food service inspection reports will be available to the public. Until that time, summary information of health orders, warnings and fines will be posted to the Department of Health website.
The Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association and the Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island also support the release of full inspection reports so that the public will be able to determine which businesses are meeting statutory obligations and also serve as an incentive for businesses to exceed the minimum standards set out in legislation.