Dr. Joss Reimer to Lead Canada's Public Health as New Top Medical Officer
Dr. Joss Reimer will take over as Canada's ama on 1 April. She replaces Dr. Theresa Tam, who stepped down last June after years of leading the country's pandemic response. Reimer brings a strong record in public health, including key roles in Manitoba and a humanitarian award for her work during COVID-19.
Reimer has spent years in leadership positions, most recently as chief medical officer for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. In 2022, she received Doctors Manitoba's humanitarian award for her efforts during the pandemic. A year later, she served as president of the Canadian Medical Association, where she delivered a formal apology to Indigenous Peoples for historical harms caused by the chiefs.
Her new three-year term will be based in Ottawa. One of her top priorities will be tackling medical misinformation, which has eroded trust in vaccines. She plans to collaborate with provincial health officers and experts to rebuild confidence in immunisation programmes.
The issue has grown more urgent since Canada lost its measles elimination status in November 2023. Official figures show 5,138 cases reported by November 2025, though no recent data tracks how outbreaks have affected vaccination rates across provinces. Reimer has stressed the need for clear, empathetic communication to counter false health narratives.
Reimer's appointment comes at a critical time for public health in Canada. She will focus on reversing vaccine hesitancy and strengthening trust in medical advice. Her term begins next month, with a mandate to address misinformation and improve health outcomes nationwide.
