Grey Bruce health board chair accuses province's top doctor of 'bullying tactics'

The chair of the Grey Bruce Public Health Unit (GBPH) board is accusing Ontario's chief medical officer of health of "bullying tactics," saying Dr. Kieran Moore's move to assume control of the board is an unnecessary distraction for the embattled health unit.

"We have a number of issues that we need to deal with, things like the opioid crisis, homelessness and mental health," said Nicholas Saunders, who was appointed board chair in December as a representative of Chippewas of Nawash First Nation. "Yes, we're doing the work, but [Moore's actions] are putting undue stress on us."

Saunders also said Moore, in public statements, is "spinning the narrative to discredit my character. It's bullying tactics essentially."

Saunders was reacting to Thursday's news that Moore had moved to assume control of the GBPH board in response to findings of an independent assessment of how the board is run. A week earlier, the 11-member board's seven municipal representatives were ordered removed in a letter Saunders sent in line with Moore's written recommendation.

Saunders shared with CBC News a July 18 letter from Moore requesting the board take a number of actions, including working to "immediately replace" the board's municipal members. However, in an Aug. 14 directive letter, Moore admonishes Saunders for dismissing the municipal representatives, saying it was done "without the authority to do so."

Saunders said he was following Moore's directive and that the contradictory statements aren't helpful as the board tries to do its work.

"I got a directive and an order from Moore and his office to remove the municipal appointees, which I followed," he said. "I have to follow it. And that is what I did."

Further adding to the confusion, Saunders shared with CBC News an email from Moore that said the board remains in place while issues raised in the report are addressed. Late last week, only the names of the four provincial representatives were still listed on GPBH's website. On Monday, the names of all 11 board members, including the seven supposedly deposed municipal representatives, were again listed as board members.

CBC News reached out to the health ministry on Monday to clarify the status of the board of directors and to respond to Saunders' claims, but did not receive a reply.

So far, the province has refused to make public the assessment report into GBPH's operations, which sparked the changes. In his Aug. 14 statement, Moore said the report lays out "serious concerns" in how GBPH operates, including issues related to "governance, leadership, financial management and human resources."

In the same letter, Moore said his decision to assume control of GBPH is temporary and "was not taken lightly."

Saunders said he has a copy of the report; however, acting on legal advice, he can not release it.

As for what happens next, Saunders said he plans to continue working with the board to address the issues raised in the report.

The NDP's health critic has called on the province to release the report into GBPH's operations.