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I stand with the tobogganers, ice skaters & snowmobilers of West Nipissing (WN), Ontario (in the North Bay PHU). Despite NBPHU’s near-lowest provincial COVID19 #'s, its local MOH keeps lockdown orders.
Last night, WN Council defeated a motion calling for ending lockdown.
I stand with the tobogganers, ice skaters & snowmobilers of West Nipissing (WN), Ontario (in the North Bay PHU). Despite NBPHU’s near-lowest provincial COVID19 #'s, its local MOH keeps lockdown orders.
Last night, WN Council defeated a motion calling for ending lockdown.
The motion (asking for the region to enter province’s colour-code system) was brought before Council after concerned citizen, Rejean Venne ( @Saving4Living), addressed this well-written, detailed, fully-sourced, unemotional letter to West Nipissing Council. https://twitter.com/Saving4Living/status/1360961115732213760?s=20
The WN Council defeated the motion (7-1) brought/supported by Councillor Yvon Duhaime (2nd'd by Leo Malette), after some brief Zoom debate. Council sent a message, imo, that it will not question and will abide by unilateral decision powers by the MOH. https://www.nugget.ca/news/west-nipissing-backs-health-unit-decisions
This is (to my knowledge, if there are others let me know) the 1st time a Council has voted on a resolution opposing continued lockdown and outright refused to question the local MOH’s decisions on behalf of specific, articulated constituent concerns…
…in my opinion, this sets precedent and could embolden other MOH’s to act to restrict reopening unjustifiably, keeping their citizens in lockdown and out of the province’s colour code system, despite meeting the pre-determined thresholds. https://twitter.com/cityoftoronto/status/1362143519704551424?s=20
In this case of North Bay PHU, it has the 4th lowest % positivity in the province (0.3%, meets “Green” threshold), the 4th lowest deaths per 100,000 (1.5, 2 total) and just 19 active cases per 100,000 (meets “Yellow” threshold)…
…and here is the recent trend for North Bay % positivity (to Feb 4th, latest data available) *compared to* the 5 PHUs currently in the “Green Prevent” level… this image speaks for itself....
Back to West Nipissing Council… I highly recommend watching the ~20 mins of motion debate/vote. There are a # of nuggets/quotes that may be generally indicative of other local councils' attitudes on C19 & local MOHs. You can sense abdication, imo. 1:42:15
For example, Councillor Chris Fisher at the 14:48:58 mark: “If we encourage Dr. Chirico to lift some rules, and people start droppin’ dead around us, then that’s a problem.”
(remember 2 deaths in all North Bay PHU since start of pandemic)
(remember 2 deaths in all North Bay PHU since start of pandemic)
…and after questioning whether Council can override the MOH, Coucillor Roland Larabie says, “I just hope this is ends soon…as far as this, it’s pointless, we can’t change his mind” (PLEASE NOTE: clip below shortened for Twitter inclusion - Larabie full comments at 1:49:28 mark)
At 1:49:40, CAO Jay Barbeau explains all of Councils limitations in a fair way, and reminds Council that even if it can’t make an order to lift lockdown, it can still “make a recommendation or express your displeasure if that’s the general wish of council”.
They did not do so.
They did not do so.
Interestingly, the Mayor indicated b/c there was roundtable discussion & most of Council indicated opposition, she would not put the resolution to a vote.
The clerk had to chime and indicate to the Mayor b/c a resolution was tabled, it required a vote. (2:04:00mark, clip edited)
The clerk had to chime and indicate to the Mayor b/c a resolution was tabled, it required a vote. (2:04:00mark, clip edited)
In the past, this WN Council has been described as “dysfunctional”, and its own Mayor agreed. It had an abrupt resignation in July 2020, and since then has been in deadlock 4-4 tie on many issues, including how to fill the newly vacant seat. https://www.baytoday.ca/local-news/mayor-agrees-west-nipissing-council-is-dysfunctional-2579952
You get a quick sense of the tension on this Council from this short excerpt from BayToday. One vote, regarding businesses seeking COVID19 relief from water and sewer charges died in a 4-4 vote tie. https://www.baytoday.ca/local-news/municipal-affairs-urged-to-intervene-in-west-nipissing-2776472
But nothing stopped this Council from coming together to defeat a motion 7-1. While there was some recognition of the brave local citizen, Rejean Venne ( @Saving4Living), who wrote the original letter, Council showed no explicit willingness to advocate for ending lockdown, imo.
