Integrity Commissioner Robert Swayze will appear before Essex Town Council Monday night on the topic of tweets by a councillor referring to COVID-19 as the 'Chinese flu.'
Damn. My test for the Chinese flu came back positive. So I hafta lay low for another week -- a punishment worse than the illness proved to be.
— Chris Vander Doelen (@winstarvander) April 9, 2021
Essex Ward 3 Councillor, Chris Vander Doelen. (Photo via Essex.ca)
Back on April 9, Chris Vander Doelen tweeted he had tested positive for the virus. In addition to the tweet that erroneously referred to COVID-19 as the 'Chinese flu', he posted COVID-19 stands for 'Chinese Origin Virus.' It does not. It stands for Corona Virus Disease.
The backlash on Twitter was swift. Essex Mayor Larry Snively issued a rare weekend statement after numerous phone calls and emails. He recommended a public apology, while Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche suggested a possible removal from paid committees. Local politicians of all political stripes and labour leaders condemned it, and a petition quickly circulated calling for his resignation.
Comments like these strengthen my resolve and dedication to work harder to address racism that can even be in our own community. Our response is to further unite and show light, hope and solidarity together. I’ll be there,I know you will be too #cdnpoli https://t.co/rAZpf5IUOj
— Brian Masse (@BrianMasseMP) April 10, 2021
In his report to Essex council, Swayze is recommending Vander Doelen delete the remaining tweet, issue an official apology and go for a diversity and inclusion training session. If the recommendations are not met by July 19, Vander Doelen's pay could be suspended for up to two months.
“There is a need for sensitivity by all public figures, particularly when they use terms which are considered racist and have resulted in hate crimes across North America,” said Swayze in the report
In his report, Swayze said after the incident that he had received more than 80 emails in response to the tweets.
Initially, the emails were excluded from the public agenda for Monday night, Bondy cried foul, calling it censorship, but the emails are currently available online.
"I am disgusted an appalled you have such a loud, proud bigot and racist representing Windsor-Essex," wrote one person, signed 'A very hurt, disappointed resident.'
Another anonymous resident wrote, "Last year at this time, there was a family-run business in Harrow being targeted because they were Asian -- Chris Vander Doelen's remarks add fuel to a fire."
Liam Adams expressed similar sentiments in his email to council members.
"I am sure you are aware of the rising racist hate and violence growing as a result of misleading language like calling COVID the 'Chinese flu,'" he wrote. "I ask that he get reprimanded appropriately and removed from office."
BlackburnNews.com has reached out to Vander Doelen repeatedly for comment but has not received a response.
- With files from Mark Brown, Allanah Wills and Maureen Revait.
