Erik White 

A Temiskaming Shores city councillor says she is being picked on because she won't say if she's vaccinated against COVID-19.

Patricia Hewitt was the only councillor not in person around the table Tuesday&nbsp;night under the northern Ontario city's new vaccination policy. &nbsp;

"I am being forced to sit in a Zoom meeting primarily because I have not disclosed my vaccination status," she told council.&nbsp;

"And I do feel like I'm being singled out and stigmatized."

'Will we be challenged? Probably. But it's the right thing to do': North Bay latest city to mandate vaccines

All four major cities in northeastern Ontario are now requiring their workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. North Bay was the latest to bring in a vaccine mandate with a unanimous vote of city council Tuesday night.

The Ontario government is currently reviewing the municipal code of conduct, with the aim of better protecting the people who work in city halls and town offices. 

North Bay City Hall 

North Bay city council has voted to make COVID vaccinations mandatory for all municipal employees.

Northeastern Ontario hospitals cracking down on unvaccinated workers

Some hospital workers in northeastern Ontario have been sent home without pay and more than 100 others are facing possible discipline.

More than 100 hospital workers in northeastern Ontario are facing discipline for not following the new rules around COVID-19 vaccination. 

VGH COVID-19 UNIT

City council voted Tuesday to remove Hewitt from the committees and community boards she sits on, including the transit and library committees.

She said she was "dumfounded" and claimed this was punishment for her stance on vaccinations.

"I think anyone that has nominated or elected me to speak on their behalf knows that whatever I put out there I definitely have our interest at heart," Hewitt said.

Patricia Hewitt

"I understand you have the right to make that call. I just hope it's in the best interest of our public to do so."

But Temiskaming Shores Mayor Carman Kidd says his decision to remove her from committees is because&nbsp;of her&nbsp;attendance record over the last few years.&nbsp;

"That's the real reason you're not being appointed to any of these committees as of tonight. It has nothing to do with your vaccination status," said Kidd.&nbsp;

Northern Ontario's largest employers don't require workers to get COVID-19 vaccinations

While most government workers in northern Ontario have to prove they are vaccinated against COVID-19, the thousands who work in the private sector do not, and it is creating tensions on the job.

A worker heads into start a shift at Algoma in Sault Ste. Marie. The steel mill is not requiring its 2,800 workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Algoma steel mill in Sault Ste. Marie

A worker heads into start a shift at Algoma in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. The steel mill is not requiring its 2,800 workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and is among some of northern Ontario's largest employers not mandating the shots.

Vaccine passports lead to uptick in vaccination rates in northeastern Ontario

Health units in northeastern Ontario have reported an uptick in vaccinations since the province announced its new vaccine passport requirements for certain businesses, like restaurants and gyms.

A person gets the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination at a mobile clinic for members of First Nations and their partners, on Friday, April 30, 2021 in Montreal.

Pfizer vaccine being administered in Montreal

Vaccination rates have increased in northeastern Ontario since the province announced its new vaccination certificate mandates, which came into effect on Sept. 22.

Temiskaming Shores council did vote unanimously last night to allow Hewitt to continue attending meetings, including closed sessions, over Zoom.&nbsp;

"I think this makes sense in the times that we're in. In fairness to Councillor Hewitt, she was duly elected by the people of the city and she the right to represent the people of the city," said city councillor Doug Jelly.

City councillor Danny Whalen agreed, but said he does have concerns about keeping council's in-camera discussions private after speaking with a citizen who knew details of a recent closed-door meeting.

"I think we have a problem keeping closed session closed," he said.

Temiskaming Shores city council met in person Tuesday night, but there was an empty chair for Councillor Patricia Hewitt at the far right. 

Northern Ontario city councillor says she's being 'singled out and stigmatized' over her vaccine stance

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