1660-20-23-036

1660-20-23-036 is the reference number for a completed FOIPPA request from the District of West Vancouver (DWV). It focuses on e-mails between DWV employees discussing new stories about the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, new public health orders, and encouragements to “get vaccinated” with COVID-19 vaccines. It can be read in full here.

Here is a summary of notable information in the disclosed documents.

On June 14, 2021, Jenn Suggitt sent Mark Chan notes from that day's COVID-19 briefing from Premier John Horgan, Bonnie Henry and Adrian Dix. Among the notes are references to climbing vaccination rates and declining hospitalizations.

On July 28, 2021, Mark Panneton sent a CBC News article to Mark Chan and the Legislative Services e-mail address regarding the reimposition of mask mandates in the Central Okanagan. Chan forwarded it to Jenn Suggitt and Sarah Nannery, along with a CityNews 1130 article on the same subject.

On August 3, 2021, Jenn Suggitt sent a series of links to Darren Chung on the subject of “Delta variant research.” The included sources were the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), CBC News, Bloomberg and CTV News.

On December 22, 2021, DWV Chief Administrative Officer Robert Bartlett issued an announcement detailing new public health policies to be implemented, including “asking staff to wear masks in the workplace, expect when sitting at your desk.” He notes that they “continue to get reports of positive COVID-19 cases in our facilities among our staff and the public,” leading to the launch of “a new web page that lists all reported cases.” He says that “the new variant can result in mild symptoms for some people, similar to a cold.” He references “the many staff who have already verified their vaccine status,” and asserts that “we know this is the best strategy to combat the spread of COVID-19. Getting vaccinated, and getting your booster when you are called to, is more important than ever a case numbers surge in BC, across the country, and around the world.” He ends by encouraging staff to seek mental health care through Lifeworks, and thanking “everyone for doing your part to protect yourselves, your families and those around you,” saying that doing so also “protect[s] and strengthen[s] public health in the face of this pandemic.”

The following people are participants or are referenced in the disclosed documents.