1967 Bill 42 Fifth Session, 15th Legislature, 15 Elizabeth II THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ALBERTA BILL 42

An Act respecting the Department of Health THE MINISTER OF HEALTH First Reading ............................................................ . Second Reading ........................................................ . Third Reading .......................................................... . Printed by L. S. Wall. Queen's Printer, Edmonton

BILL 42 1967

An Act respecting the Department of Health (Assented to , 1967) HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Alberta, enacts as follows: 1. This Act may be cited as The Department of Health Act. 2. In this Act, (a) "Department" means the Department of Health; (b) "Minister" means the Minister of Health. 3.

There shall be a department of the public service of the Province to be called the Department of Health over which there shall preside the member of the Executive Council appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council under the Great Seal of the Province as Minister of Health. 4. Subject to The Public Service Act, 1962, there may be appointed (

a) a Deputy Minister of Health, and (

b) a Deputy Minister of Health for Hospital Services, and such other employees as are required to conduct the business of the Department. 5. The Department shall be divided into two se,ctions, (

a) the Hospital Services Section, which shall be re­ sponsible for the operation of the programs to be provided for the people of Alberta under The Al­ berta Hospitals Act and The Nursing Homes Act or such parts of them as the Minister may desire and such other programs as the Minister directs, and (

b) the Health Services Section, which shall be re­ sponsible for all other programs of health and other functions that may be carried out by the Minister. s. (1) There shall be an executive committee of the De­ partment consisting of the deputy ministers, the directors of the various divisions within the Department and such other officials of the Department as the Minister thinks fit.

Explanatory Notes I. This Bill replaces The Department of Public Health Act, which is

chapter 256 of the Revised Statutes. 2.

Definitions. 3. Creation of the Department to be supervised by the Minister. 4. Departmental staff. Provision is made for more than one deputy minister. s. The Department is divided into two parts as recommended by the Public Expenditure and Revenue Study Committee. 6. Executive committee for the Department established.

(2) The executive committee shall meet at least six times annually to consider and make recommendations with re­ spect to the various programs administered by the Minister, the administrative efficiency of the Department and other problems and matters concerning the Department. 7. The Minister may establish such other administrative and advisory bodies as he considers necessary or desirable for the proper and effective administration of the programs and other matters under his jurisdiction. 8. The Minister may (

a) institute inquiries into, and collect information and statistics relating to, all matters of health, (

b) disseminate information in such manner and form as is found best adapted to promote health, (

c) take or direct such measures as seem suitable to prevent and suppress disease, and (

d) secure the observance and execution of the pro­ visions of all Acts and regulations dealing with matters of health. 9. The Government of Alberta is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with the Government of Canada for the purpose of securing to the residents of the Province the benefits of any health services grants that may be available from the Government of Canada. 10.

(1) With the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, the Minister may enter into an agreement upon such terms and conditions as he considers proper with the appropriate authority of any other province or territory of Canada providing for (

a) the hospitalization in the other province or terri­ tory of patients suffering from tuberculosis or mental disorder who are temporarily in that other province or territory but who are ordinarily resi­ dents of Alberta, and (

b) the hospitalization in Alberta of patients suffering from tuberculosis or mental disorder who are tem­ porarily in Alberta but who are ordinarily resident in that other province or territory.

(2) Moneys payable by the Government in respect of any agreement entered into under subsection (1) shall be paid out of such moneys as are appropriated by the Legislature for the purpose.

(3) Sums paid to another province or territory pursuant to an agreement under subsection (1) for the hospitaliza­ tion of a resident of Alberta suffering from mental disorder are recoverable by the Minister as a debt from the resident or his estate or from the person liable for the payment of the expenses under

section 30 of The M ental Health Act. 2

7. Other administrative and advisory bodies may be established. 8. General powers of the Minister. 9. Agreements with the Government of Canada authorized. 10. Hospitalization agreements with other provinces and ter­ ritories. 2

(1) Every official of a public institution supported in whole or in part by the Government, and every medical officer of health, secretary of a board of health, secretary of a municipality, secretary of a school board or school division and every medical practitioner, dentist, pharmacist, optometrist, podiatrist, psychologist, veterinary surgeon, registered nurse, psychiatric nurse, certified nursing aide, chiropractor, naturopath,' physiotherapist, radiological technician, laboratory technician, dental technologist, dental auxiliary, dietition, ophthalmic dispenser and every other person who in the practice of his profession or calling comes under the jurisdiction of the Minister shall (

a) answer promptly all communications from the De­ partment, (

b) collect and tabulate information in accordance with any request made to him by the Department, and (

c) supply correct information on all matters sub­ mitted to him.

(2) Any person who neglects or refuses to comply with any requirement of this

section is guilty of an offence and liable on

summary conviction to a fine of not more than $100. 12. When by any Act it is provided that a by-law of any municipality is subject to the approval of the Minister of Health, the Minister may refer the by-law for approval or otherwise to the Public Utilities Board who thereupon have the same power of approval or disapproval of the by-law as is by that Act conferred upon the Minister. 13. This Act repeals and replaces The Department of Public Health Act, being

chapter 256 of the Revised Statutes. 14. This Act comes into force on the day upon which it is assented to. 3

II. Collection of information. 12. Delegation of power of approving by-laws. 3 Title: 1967 (15th, 5th) Bill 42,

An Act respecting The Department of Health