March 30, 2021

Municipal Councillors turn up the heat on Grey Bruce Board of Health over Medical Officer's salary

Dr. Ian Arra, Grey Bruce Chief Medical Officer of Health. Photo: publichealthgreybruce.on.ca

BY SOUTHGREY.CA STAFF — Four Municipal Councillors in Grey County are demanding answers of the Grey Bruce Board of Health, regarding the recent disclosure of the Grey Bruce Chief Medical Officer of Health's salary in 2020. The annually-released Sunshine List revealed Dr. Ian Arra's $631,510 in earnings plus $1,690 in benefits for 2020, making him the highest paid Medical Officer of Health among all other Public Health Units in the province.

Owen Sound Councillor John A. Tamming, Georgian Bluffs Councillor Cathy Moore Coburn and Arran-Elderslie Councillors Melissa Kanmacher and Ryan Greig have penned a letter demanding answers of the Grey Bruce Board of Health to explain in greater detail, Dr. Ian Arra's salary as well as a perceived high rate of management turnover since his appointment.

A regularly scheduled Owen Sound Council meeting was held on Monday, March 29. Shortly after the meeting, the Owen Sound Hub published a letter that was reportedly not permitted as an addition to the agenda and later turned over to the Hub.

I was refused permission to read the letter," said Councillor Tamming. "It was addressed to the Board of the Grey Bruce Health Unit and copied to City Council and I thought it should be read out." According to Tamming, Grey and Bruce County clerks have been asked to distribute the letter to all municipal clerks in the region. "we="" gave="" them="" 30="" days="" to="" respond,="" so="" i="" will="" follow="" up="" in="" april,"="" said="" tamming.xtagstartz="" p="">

 

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