West Grey Mayor Kevin Eccles has been formally reprimanded following an investigation by the Integrity Commissioner into comments he made that were perceived as threatening towards the CEO and President of South Bruce Grey Health Centre (SBGHC), Nancy Shaw.
The reprimand came after Eccles made two controversial public statements in response to the relocation of inpatient beds from Durham Hospital to Walkerton and Kincardine due to staff shortages.
The controversy began during a West Grey council meeting on April 30, 2024, when Eccles made comments about Shaw. .
“I told the CEO and president of South Bruce Grey Health Association to keep her hands off of the Durham Hospital and I’ll promise to keep my hands off of your throat,” he reportedly said.
Eccles later apologized for these comments on May 5, acknowledging they were inappropriate.
However, on May 7, during a phone interview with CKNXNewsToday.ca, he made more comments that raised concerns.
“The public is still angry, not connecting with the information coming forward," he said. " The community itself is ready to go to battle on this, whether it’s political or legal. The gun is fully loaded and we’re ready to fire shots. We’re going to hit the target to keep our hospital open… Dangerous is an appropriate word being used in this.”
Nancy Shaw, SBGHC's CEO, filed a formal complaint on May 21, prompting an investigation by the integrity commissioner. Janice Atwood of Principles Integrity found that Eccles’ comments breached the council's code of conduct by threatening physical violence against Shaw, creating a sense of intimidation, and potentially inciting public unrest. The report expressed concern that such remarks could be misinterpreted as a literal call to arms, leading to unanticipated and dangerous outcomes. Atwood noted that there have been reports of individuals visiting SBGHC and asking for Shaw in a menacing manner, and that senior administrators at the health centre have received threats.
Atwood recommended a 14-day suspension of Eccles’ pay as a penalty, a measure she described as intended to be more than a "slap on the wrist." However, in a 4-2 vote, the council opted for a lighter penalty, choosing to issue a formal reprimand instead. Councillors Scott Foerster, Doug Hutchinson, Geoffrey Shea, and Doug Townsend voted in favor of the reprimand, while Deputy Mayor Tom Hutchinson and Councillor Joyce Nuhn opposed it. Eccles recused himself from the meeting during the vote.
In defense of the mayor, Councillor Townsend criticized the integrity commissioner's report as one-sided and incomplete, arguing that society has become overly sensitive and prone to taking offense. He contended that Eccles’ passionate defense of the Durham Hospital was preferable to a more passive approach. Atwood, however, rebuffed these claims, emphasizing that it only takes one person to take such remarks seriously and act on them.
In a brief statement to CKNXNewsToday.ca, Eccles has expressed regret over his remarks, stating that they were not meant to be taken literally or to incite violence. He has indicated that he considers the matter closed but declined further comment on council's decision.
The situation highlights the tension and emotional stakes surrounding the SBGHC’s decision to relocate the hospital beds, a move that has faced significant opposition from the West Grey community.