November 26th, 2020

NDP to vote no on rubber-stamp extension of Dr. David Williams appointment

QUEEN’S PARK — The NDP will vote against a Ford government motion to rubber-stamp a re-appointment of Dr. David Williams as Chief Medical Officer of Health. The government has ignored multiple requests and blocked an amendment from the NDP calling for an all-party process to consider extending the appointment of the Chief Medical Officer of Health. NDP Deputy Leader Sara Singh released the following statement:

“The Chief Medical Officer of Health is supposed to be the person in charge of our pandemic response. But there are widespread, serious concerns about the province’s pandemic response being raised by the auditor general, the broader public health expert community, frontline workers, and families. The auditor reported that Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams has been sidelined by Doug Ford, has not led the pandemic response, and has not exercised the powers he has to keep people safe. Despite clear evidence to the contrary, Dr. Williams refuses to dispel the lie that Public Health, not politics, is driving Doug Ford’s pandemic response. In light of these very serious concerns it is irresponsible for legislators to vote to extend Dr. Williams’ term.

We believe an all-party process is warranted to determine how to move forward, and repair the COVID-19 response structure that’s been described as plagued by delays, confusion and conflict as politicians call the shots instead of medical experts.”