Whereas Dr. Elaine Ma held numerous mass COVID-19 immunization clinics in Kingston throughout the pandemic; and
Whereas a recent ruling of the Ontario Health Services Appeal and Review Board (HSARB) has ordered Dr. Ma to repay to the Ontario Health Insurance Plan over $600,000 in funding that was received for the mass COVID-19 immunization clinics at Richardson Stadium, St. Lawrence College and LaSalle Secondary School; and
Whereas Dr. Ma offered an innovative method to vaccinate people during a public health emergency and healthcare innovation should be commended by political leaders; and
Whereas KFL&A Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Piotr Oglaza, offered testimony in support of Dr Ma, but this testimony was not considered by the HSARB;
Therefore Be It Resolved That Kingston City Council express its support for Dr. Ma in her continued appeal of the HSARB decision; and
That Kingston City Council request the provincial government to review the decision of the HSARB with respect to Dr. Ma in recognition of the unique circumstances of a public health emergency; and
That a copy of this motion be shared with The Honourable Sylvia Jones, M.P.P., Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore, M.P.P. Ted Hsu, Kingston & the Islands, and M.P.P. John Jordan, Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston.