The Ontario Liberals are calling for the well being minister to veto the appointment of the brand new performing medical officer of well being in Haldimand-Norfolk as a result of he’s in opposition to COVID-19 lockdowns.
Liberal Well being Critic John Fraser describes Dr. Matt Strauss as opposing “life-saving public well being measures.”
The Haldimand-Norfolk Well being Unit introduced Strauss’s appointment to the function in a press release Friday, saying the board of well being voted for him unanimously.
Strauss, who’s an assistant professor of medication at Queen’s College, has tweeted repeatedly about his opposition to lockdowns, arguing they’re not efficient at stopping COVID-19-related deaths.
He has additionally described business-owners who open in violation of public well being orders as “heroes.”
The Ministry of Well being stated whereas they answerable for approving medical officers of well being within the province, they don’t have a say in performing medical officers of well being. In a press release, they stated they haven’t obtained any request from the well being unit to approve Strauss.
A spokesperson additionally added, “On no account would we ever approve the appointment of an area medical officer of well being who doesn’t assist the general public well being measures which have saved numerous lives and guarded our hospital capability all through the pandemic.”
Strauss and the Haldimand-Norfolk Well being Unit didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
The Ont Liberals are calling on @fordnation to veto the appointment of Dr.Strauss as Haldimand-Norfolk’s Medical Officer of Well being primarily based on half on his anti-lockdown messaging . (See under, courtesy ONT liberal social gathering ). #onpoli https://t.co/SgeOxn7YCw pic.twitter.com/KXlGkJEAIM
— Cristina Howorun (@CityCristinaH) September 3, 2021