Final answer:
The OPHS are minimum standards for public health programs which boards of health must always follow, although they cannot take actions that exceed or contravene these standards.
Step-by-step explanation:
The OPHS (Ontario Public Health Standards) represent the minimum requirements boards of health must adhere to in the delivery of public health programs and services on health protection, health promotion, and disease prevention. These standards specify the mandatory responsibilities of boards of health, which they are always required to fulfill. However, there are certain actions outside of their scope that they cannot undertake.
While boards of health can always carry out the duties defined by the OPHS, they cannot take actions that fall outside of these standards or that contradict provincial legislation. The OPHS serve as a guiding framework to ensure consistent and high-quality public health services across the province.