About Us

Northeastern Public Health (NEPH) / Santé publique du Nord-Est (SPNE) officially launched on January 1st, 2025, bringing together the former Porcupine Health Unit and Timiskaming Health Unit. After several years of exploring a merger and significant integration work throughout 2024, we received approval from the Ontario government in December 2024 to become one of Ontario’s newest health units.

We serve the Districts of Cochrane and Timiskaming, and the townships of Temagami and Hornepayne in Northeastern Ontario—making us the largest health unit in the province. Our team is dedicated to strengthening public health across this vast region. By combining the skills, experiences, and expertise of two established organizations, we’re building a stronger public health agency to improve health of people in all our communities.

As we move into our second year of operations, our programs, services, and office locations continue to serve our communities. We work closely with residents, community partners, First Nations communities, and municipalities across the northeast to maintain strong local connections and deliver the public health services our region depends on.

Our promise to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding

We support the World Health Organization’s Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) and are committed to making all families feel welcome.

We promise to:

  • Help parents make informed decisions about how they feed their baby.
  • Provide a comfortable space for breastfeeding and welcome breastfeeding anytime, anywhere.
  • Support parents to follow the Health Canada breastfeeding recommendations:
    • Breastfeeding only for the first six months.
    • Continuing breastfeeding for up to two years and longer with the addition of other foods.
  • Encourage holding baby skin-to-skin and to help parents recognize their baby’s feeding cues.
  • Have a policy and trained staff to support breastfeeding.
  • Protect breastfeeding by not advertising or giving out formula, bottles or pacifiers.
  • Work with hospitals, community groups & peer support programs to provide consistent care and support for families.