Updating the core competencies for public health in Canada: Feminist community-based study

Abstract Objectives The 2008 core competencies for the public health in Canada were used extensively however were outdated. Our objective was to determine and conduct a consultation and engagement process to update the core competencies. This study describes the approach and methods used. Methods Feminist community-based research informed the multiple methods used to gather explicit and tacit expertise on essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes for the updated competencies. Recommendations from published literature were adapted for project governance, literature reviews, engagement, and integration of feedback on competency statements based on principles of reflection, reflexivity, equity, and transparency. Results More than 2300 members of the public health community contributed to updating the core competencies via in-person and virtual engagement sessions. Participants were from every province and territory and a range of public health disciplines, roles, and syste