Grey Bruce’s Board of Health submitted a letter to Owen Sound city council critical of Coun. John Tamming, and asked for assistance in “undoing the damage Mr. Tamming has caused in the public’s confidence” in the health unit.
The correspondence signed by the region’s Board of Health Chair Sue Paterson was read aloud at Monday’s meeting by the city clerk as part of question period.
The letter from the Board of Health expresses “grave concerns” about a series of “misleading assertions” being presented by Tamming.
“We worry that these messages, if not addressed by council, are undermining confidence in Public Health directives and inhibit our ability to provide vital information to constituents,” the letter from the Board of Health says.
Tamming was one of four municipal councillors in the area – along with Georgian Bluffs Coun. Cathy Moor Coburn, Arran-Elderslie Coun. Melissa Kanmacher and Arran-Elderslie Coun. Ryan Greig – who signed and circulated a letter in March after the annual public sector salary disclosure showed Dr. Arra was paid over $631,000 last year, the highest amount of compensation any medical officer of health in Ontario received in 2020.
The March 29 letter from Tamming and other area councillors talked about Arra’s compensation and other “recent developments” at the health unit. Bayshore Broadcasting News did not publish this letter due to unsubstantiated claims and insinuations it contained.
The Board of Health correspondence read at Owen Sound council’s April 19 meeting appeared to point blame at Tamming for “diminished compliance” by people to undertake measures to lessen the spread of Covid-19.
“The consequence is an increase in case counts in the region,” the Board of Health letter states.
Tamming responded to this at Monday’s meeting: “The letter accuses me of driving up our Covid numbers. Which, if it wasn’t so ridiculous, it would be pathetic.”
Coun. Scott Greig said it is a long list of community buying into common purpose which has allowed (the region) to be successful to this point with the pandemic, and it is unfair to blame caseload increase upon the actions of one or some councillors.
“Within the letter, I agree that Mr. Tamming has violated rules of decency and decorum. But, I am profoundly disappointed with how we got to be here tonight with this letter,” Greig said. “Nobody disputes that the local medical officer of health has worked tirelessly during the pandemic. All medical officers of health have … the public wanted to know about the lack of oversight on wages. They did not receive it.”
Coun. Marion Koepke introduced a motion to waive the typical notice period, expressing interest in bringing a motion to the floor to refer the Board of Health’s letter to the Integrity Commissioner for advice. It was defeated in 6-3 recorded vote, only finding support from Deputy Mayor Brian O’Leary – who sits on the Board of Health – and Coun. Richard Thomas.
“The Public Health Unit is completely able to lodge a complaint against a councillor,” Coun. Brock Hamley said. “They don’t need us to lodge the complaint. And if they feel that strongly I recommend that they would do it. I don’t see any point in us waiving a notice of motion and going forward with this.”
Koepke did not give notice of her intent to introduce a motion later in the meeting.
Mayor Ian Boddy said he is not happy the letter came to council, and noted Board of Health issues should not be discussed at city council meetings. He said if you go through The Municipal Act, there’s no way it fits into council meetings.
“This isn’t directed only at you Coun. Tamming, it’s directed at the (Board of Health), frankly,” Boddy said. “I’m not happy this letter is before me. I’m as unhappy when you keep raising stuff from you council chair about the board, because you know darn well I don’t think it should be in front of us. I don’t think this letter should be in front of us.”
Mayor Boddy later added: “I want this to go away until the end of Covid, so everybody that should be focusing on helping people is focused on helping people.”
