Health and Social Services Minister Mildred Dover announced today that the process to enable Island residents to elect regional health board members will begin in November 1999 at the annual meetings of each health region.
Regional Health Authorities will move from government-appointed boards to combined elected and appointed boards over the next three years.
Two members will be elected to each board this year. When the transition process has been completed in December 2001, the majority of members on each board will be elected by residents of the communities they serve.
Minister Dover advised that the change responds to wishes expressed by Islanders to have a stronger voice in their boards. "The decision to move to combined appointed and elected boards provides for increased accountability and broader community ownership in the boards," she said, "The appointment of some members also ensures an appropriate mix of skills, and supports the representation of under-represented groups."
Elected members will represent electoral zones. Elections PEI has designated 22 zones within the five regions for the purpose of electing board members. The Regions are divided into the following number of electoral zones: West Prince (4), East Prince (5), Queens (5), Southern Kings (4), and Eastern Kings (4).
A nominating committee of each board will nominate candidates to vacant positions in the zones at the annual meeting. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor. If more than one person is nominated for a vacant position, a voting process will be held at the annual meeting to select a candidate.
To be eligible to vote or run for election, a person must be at least 18 years of age, and a resident of the region for at least six months. Persons standing for election must currently reside in the electoral zone they wish to represent, and only current residents of that zone may vote. No membership fee is required to vote.
Appointed members will be members at large. Appointments will be made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council following the elections to balance the complement of elected members, and to ensure diverse community representation on the boards.
Annual Meetings will be held on the following dates: Southern Kings, Thursday, November 4, St. Paul's Hall, Sturgeon, 7:00 pm; West Prince, Wednesday, November 24, Westisle Composite High School, 7:00 pm;
East Prince, Monday, November 29, Loyalist Inn, 7:00 pm; Queens, Monday, November 29, Charlottetown Hotel, 7:00 pm; Eastern Kings, Tuesday, November 30, Rollo Bay Inn, 7:30 pm.