Peel's top public health official stepping down, will take on role with College of Family Physicians of Canada
One of the key figures in Peel Region’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years is stepping down from his role.
Peel’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Lawrence Loh will be beginning work as the executive director and CEO of the College of Family Physicians of Canada in September, succeeding Dr. Francine Lemire.
News of the departure comes just two months after he was awarded the key to city by Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie.
At the tim'e, Crombie called Loh a “healthcare hero” and credited him with making “some pretty unpopular decisions” which ultimately saved lives.
“Dr. Loh brings with him an established track record in physician leadership, teaching, research, and administration spanning five government agencies at all three levels of government in two different provinces,” the college said in a news release issued Wednesday. “His work with the team at Peel Public Health received national recognition for working collaboratively with the community and taking difficult, evidence-based decisions that saved lives and limited the impacts of the pandemic in one of Canada’s hardest hit communities.”
Loh was appointed as Peel’s interim medical officer of health at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March. He was then given the permanent job in July, 2020.
During his time with Peel Public Health, Loh helped to oversee one of Ontario’s biggest vaccination campaigns while using the power of his office to introduce a number of restrictions aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19.
He was also a frequent presence at press conferences, at times strongly advocating for introduction of paid sick days, something the Ford government eventually did following significant public pressure.
At this point it remains unclear when Loh will formally step aside.
In a message posted to Twitter on Wednesday afternoon, Crombie said that Mississauga will be "forever grateful" to Loh "for his leadership and advice during a difficult and uncertain time in our history."
"Thank you for protecting the health and safety of our residents and for setting us on the path to recovery," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The World Health Organization said on Friday that the current overall public health risk posed by H5N1 bird flu virus is low, but for those with exposure to infected birds or animals the risk of infection is considered low-to-moderate.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.