Canada Awards for Excellence

In support of York Region Public Health’s commitment to continuous quality improvement (CQI), the Health Protection Division began baseline auditing in its food safety program in 2006, then embedded CQI into all of its eight distinct program areas, executing process improvement projects and Lean Six Sigma tools.

The division’s key strengths have been its fact-based decision making, fluid real-time information on health inspections, customer relationship management system, implementation of health equity projects, commitment to corporate social responsibility, introduction of a food handler certification bylaw, staff orientation, as well as formal and informal mentoring, training and education. Employees have been integral to the journey, as they work to provide cost-effective quality services to rapidly growing communities. This includes innovative health protection and promotional strategies, including education, inspection, enforcement and advocacy.