Communication is key across all levels of government, especially when it comes to tackling an endeavour such as mass vaccination, observes North Bay Deputy Mayor Tanya Vrebosch.
It's been nearly two weeks since Vrebosch and her father, Councillor Bill Vrebosch, teamed up to propose and — with their colleagues' support — unanimously pass the motion outlining local concerns over the province's handling of the vaccine roll-out.
See original story: Vrebosch says send vaccines north: 'We can get them in the arms'
"I'm disappointed they didn't address [the local issues with] the communication plan," says Tanya Vrebosch of the correspondence the City of North Bay has received. "I'm sending a letter in response noting they did not address that part."
Vrebosch feels a separate message for districts farther behind in the age structure is warranted to cut down on confusion throughout the province.
"All they're doing," by announcing the vaccination roll-out changes across Ontario "is causing anxiety and anger in people here because they keep announcing stuff [we can't fulfill]."
See also: Chirico says vaccine rollout has been a challenge
Local and provincial vaccination figures have evolved over the weeks since the notice of motion was first given by the Vrebosches, and Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli did publicly respond to the municipal motion, pointing out the North Bay Parry Sound district was on par, if not ahead of provincial benchmarks.
"We can't even catch up, let alone keep up," to the provincial vaccination messaging and directives without ample supply, argues Tanya Vrebosch.
Vaccination supply bickering between the federal and provincial governments has periodically flared up since the roll-out commenced. Ontario has publicly called on the Trudeau government to ramp up vaccine allotment and distribution.
See related: Give us more vaccine, local Health Unit tells Province
When asked, she acknowledged that no response to the North Bay City Council motion had been received from the federal government but did thank Premier Doug Ford and Minister Fedeli for reaching out to address some of the concerns.
However, she maintains the numbers are just part of the story and what has caused headaches for the local health unit is the sudden change in the message coming from Ontario's Ministry of Health and provincial government as a whole.
"It doesn't fall solely on the province. But, the communication plan could have been addressed," in the letters received, she added.
See also: North Bay left out as neighbouring districts start booking 70+ for shots
Lowering the age threshold to receive vaccinations Ontario-wide only creates a backlog in the system if the supply of doses is not forthcoming. Vrebosch notes, while demand is high, supply remains low.
"You can't do a one-size-fits-all communication plan when we're not on the same playing field," said the Deputy Mayor. "They talk about phase 2 and adding more and more classes to the vaccination clinics but we can't keep up. It's impossible to keep up."
