Strait Talk Ep. 49

Civic journalist Jake Boudrot recently sat down with Theresa MacInnis, Chair of the Strait Richmond Community Health Board, and Dorothy Bennett, the Board’s Coordinator, to discuss the role and importance of community health boards.

MacInnis began the conversation by outlining the function of community health boards—their goals, priorities, and the work they do to support healthier communities. Bennett added that these boards serve as the voice of the people, explaining what that looks like in practice and why it matters.

Both MacInnis and Bennett emphasized the importance of in-person meetings and having diverse voices at the table during discussions. These face-to-face connections, they noted, are crucial for meaningful community engagement.

Bennett also provided an overview of the various community health boards within the Eastern Zone, which includes eastern mainland Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island.

The conversation then turned to the legislative foundation of community health boards. MacInnis and Bennett discussed why having these boards established in legislation is both significant and necessary for long-term impact.

Bennett spoke about the official launch of the current community health boards, which took place on January 15, and what the event represented for the region.

Earlier this year, board member Marlene LeBlanc shared with Civic Journalism that the Strait Richmond Community Health Board is currently working on a communications plan, engaging in local initiatives, and contributing to the development of both provincial and zone-level strategies.

Bennett provided further insight into those plans and outlined the board’s broader vision for the next five years.

On the topic of wellness grants, both Bennett and MacInnis discussed the types of projects and community groups that receive funding, why these grants are important, and how local organizations can apply.

In addition to this interview, LeBlanc and Clyde deViller, Coordinator of the Western Zone Community Health Boards, recently spoke to members of the Francophone community to share information and raise awareness about the value and purpose of community health boards.