By Anne Finlay-Stewart

With 55.59% of the electors voting to retain the practice, Owen Sound will continue to fluoridate its public water supply.

Fluoridation began in the city in 1965, and a 1997 a plebiscite supported the practice with almost 60% of electors in favour. Earlier this year citizens were preparing a petition to ask for a second public vote on the subject when city council passed a by-law to put the question on the October municipal election ballot.

For months Medical Officer of Health Hazel Lynn has been advocating for continued fluoridation in the city, and for extending the practice province-wide. The Public Health website, media articles and literature distributed at public meetings all promoted fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries, particularly for poor children and seniors with less access to dental care.

Dr. David Ward, retired family physician, and others concerned about fluoridation provided their own media releases and printed materials, arguing that the practice was out-dated and potentially harmful. After October 7, "Fluoride Free Owen Sound" was not permitted to spend money advocating on the ballot question because they had not registered with the city to do so as is required under the Municipal Elections Act.

Both sides of the discussion claimed their arguments were based on sound, peer-reviewed science.

The actual question on the municipal ballot, "Do you support the discontinuance of fluoridation of the public water supply of this municipality?" came directly from the Ontario Fluoridation Act. Neither proponents nor opponents were happy with the somewhat ambiguous wording, but election staff at every polling location were explaining to voters how to indicate their choice on the ballot.

Anne Finlay-Stewart is Community Editor of Owensoundhub.org. She can be reached at [email protected].