ETFO president defends Ontario physician over ‘conflict of interest’ claims raised by Doug Ford

The head of one of Ontario’s largest teachers unions is calling out the Premier after Doug Ford claimed he was unaware one of the advisers on the province’s COVID-19 science table has been doing consulting work for the coalition.

On Tuesday, the Toronto Sun first reported that Dr. David Fisman is a member of the table and was hired by the Elementary Teacher’s Federation of Ontario (ETFO) to give opposing arguments about school re-openings in a document dated September 2020.

Ford then addressed the claims, calling the report “deeply concerning”.

ETFO Sam Hammond tells 680 NEWS Dr. Fisman was a paid consultant and that his involvement in that hearing was not a secret.

“I find it hard to believe that the Premier just now is finding out when we put probably 10 media releases referencing the expert opinions of Dr. Fisman and others in that hearing as well as a press conference,” Hammond says.

Statement from @ETFOpresident Sam Hammond on #ETFO's work with @DFisman.#onpoli #onted pic.twitter.com/PAfFeN40Cp

— Elementary Educators (@ETFOeducators) January 27, 2021

Hammond goes on to say Ford and his government are trying to distract people from the real issues.

“You could just see the overwhelming support for Dr. Fisman on social media and elsewhere in terms of what’s happening here and it speaks a great deal to his integrity his scientific knowledge and experience.”

On Twitter, Fisman says he offered to resign from the science table, but the chair did not accept it.

He also suggested to the ETFO they not pay him for his work, but the union thought it was appropriate, so they compromised and he was paid a reduced consulting fee.

“His expert opinions from day one are consistent with what he said in that whether it was publicly at any table or in that hearing or publicly thereafter is very consistent with what he’s been saying from day one,” Hammond acknowledged.

The Premier’s office said it demands any members of the COVID-19 science and advisory table to reveal the possible conflict of interests that might have.

Several of the province’s many doctors have since taken to social media to defend Fisman, including Dr. Jennifer Kwan, who thanked him “for educating us on infectious disease epidemiology with facts & memes, despite facing constant threats & harassment.”