Series S160 - Public Health Services subject files

The Health Department was formally legislated into existence in 1953 by provincial statute (Act to Supercede and Replace the Vancouver Incorporation Act, 1921). It has, however, existed de facto since the time of incorporation of the City of Vancouver in 1886. At that time, a Health Committee of City Council was established. From the earliest years, the Committee was known and referred to as both the Board of Health and the Health Department. The Health Department, as an administrative unit of city government and formally headed by a Medical Health Officer, has been recognized since 1904. Its mandate has been established through a combination of city by-laws and provincial statutes. In 1886, under the provisions of the original Vancouver Incorporation Act, City Council was empowered to pass by-laws and establish a civic department for the maintenance of civic health. The first civic health by-law (By-law no. 7), passed in 1887 and subsequent by-laws and amendments have established the authority to eliminate unhealthy or dangerous environmental health conditions, to provide health treatment (both clinical and preventive) and public health education, and to provide a varied range of social services to the community. Various provincial statutes, most notably the Health Act, have delegated powers of enforcement of increasingly detailed provincial environmental health and health care regulations to the Health Department. The Department has also been responsible for enforcement of federal government regulations relating to food purity and environmental control. Over the years, the Department has been given responsibility for twelve functions: environmental health inspection and control; communicable disease control; medical (clinical and preventive) services; public health nursing; mental health services; dental services; continuing care services; relief work; occupational health services; continuing care facilities licensing; bacteriological and chemical analysis and; cemetery and morgue administration. By 1995 the Health Department was organized into the following divisions: City Analyst Lab, Central Office, Continuing Care, Environmental Health, Mountain View Cemetery, Occupational Health, Health Units. Since January 1, 1996, responsibility for health has been vested in the Vancouver/Richmond Health Board. For a more detailed history, please consult the inventory of the Health Department fonds.