- by Hub staff

Over a year ago, Grey Bruce Medical Officer of Health  Dr. Ian Arra attended an Owen Sound City Council meeting. In a deputation, he expressed the wish that a city founder emerge from the grave and take a flamethrower to Councillor John Tamming’s seat.

Mr. Tamming made a complaint to the  College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, and the disciplinary arm of that body investigated.

The report of that investigation stated that Dr. Arra claimed that Mr. Tamming's enquiries about his salary and senior management departures at the Health Unit were "aimed at gaining votes on the expense of the robustness of the emergency response, potentially risking lives" and that "Ensuring more votes for any elected representative to run for “a seat” (the seat/office of the Mayor) should not be the focus in the middle of a pandemic."

Councillor Tamming says he requested an apology from Dr. Arra soon after the meeting, and never received one. To date Tamming has given no public indication that he ever intended to run for Mayor or any other position, or is even seeking re-election to Council.

The Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee of the College of Physicians and Surgeons advised the parties of its preliminary decision by letter dated June 10, 2021, and after considering the matter at a subsequent meeting, rendered its decision in January of this year.

After their investigation, the Committee found that Dr. Arra’s word choice and comments were “unnecessarily violent and of an unprofessional nature”.

Dr. Arra appealed this decision, although it was "an educational disposition, designed to offer the physician some guidance regarding an area in which the Committee has noted concerns, to assist the physician in improving future practice".

A physician has a right to appeal the Committee's decision if they believe  "that the Committee’s investigation was inadequate, or its decision was unreasonable.".

This week, through his legal counsel and without explanation, Dr. Arra withdrew his appeal.

Therefore the decision of the College stands.