Are you a well-respected leader in your community? Do you know a lot about matters important to patients? Do you have experience in addressing health care issues in your community? Or, are you an expert in healthcare issues? If so, Ontario needs you to step forward and help strengthen healthcare accountability. As a result of the First Ministers' Accord on Health Care Renewal last February, a new body is being created - the national Health Council - to monitor the progress of this accord. It needs informed, passionate people to offer challenging and diverse views about healthcare in Canada.

The national Health Council will publicly report through federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Health and will include a chair, 13 government representatives, and 13 expert and public representatives. Each province may recommend up to four potential candidates to act as an expert or public representative.

If you're interested, now is the time to act. You have until November 24^th to submit your name for consideration.

Public candidates should have one or more of the following characteristics :

• Demonstrated interest in health care issues;
• Experience in addressing health care issues at the local/community level; and
• Well-respected leaders in their community

Expert candidates should have one or more of the following characteristics :

• Expertise in health system issues;
• Expertise in patient/client issues;
• Experience as a health care provider;
• Expertise in other relevant areas, including performance measurement in health, governance and accountability, or public finance; and
• Well-respected leaders in their field of expertise

Furthermore, it should be noted that candidates (both expert and public) will not act as representatives of particular organizations.

Submissions must include the following information :

• A covering letter indicating why the individual should be considered as a candidate;
• Résumé and biography;
• Experience through relevant organizational affiliations (both past and current); and
• Whether the individual is being advanced as a candidate for either an expert or public representative

Potential candidates should be consulted and agree to have their names and credentials submitted.

Candidates would receive a per diem, compensation for related expenses and be expected to participate on a part-time basis for two to three years.

Nominees have between November 14 until noon on November 24, 2003 to submit names for consideration. Please forward submissions through e-mail at healthcouncil@moh.gov.on.ca or by writing to :