September 30, 2013
Ontario

Dentist protests wind farms by refusing patients

CBC News Posted: Sep 30, 2013, cbc.ca

A dentist in Gore Bay is the subject of complaints with the Human Rights Tribunal and the Royal College of Dental Surgeons.

But Dr. Bill Studzienny admits he’s denied treatment to members of council in M’Chigeeng and Little Current as a form of protest.

Studzienny said he’s upset by municipal politicians and aboriginal leaders welcoming wind turbines to McLean’s Mountain.

“I disrespect them because they made very foolish decisions mainly for their own gain,” he said.
hi-nb-dentist

A dentist in Gore Bay, Dr. Bill Studzienny, is under investigation by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons and the Human Rights Tribunal. Dr. Studzienny admits refusing treatment to municipal politicians and aboriginal leaders who support wind turbines on McLean’s Mountain.

M’Chigeeng Chief Joe Hare said he and band councillors feel that amounts to calling them “greedy” and, coupled with refusing to treat certain people, constitutes racism.

“Just having systemic discrimination and that’s what we are going to fully examine and take him into account for his conduct,” Hare said.

Too angry to provide treatment

The Registrar for the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario confirms it is investigating two complaints against Studzienny.

Irwin Fefergrad said there are extreme cases where a dentist may refuse treatment, but a lack of respect isn’t usually one of them.

“A dentist takes a big chance in dismissing a patient in the middle of treatment,” he said.

Should an investigation show misconduct, the most severe penalty would be loss of licence to practice, Fefergrad said.

A spokeswoman for the Human Rights Tribunal also confirms it’s investigating a complaint against Studzienny.

There is no word on when the investigations will wrap up.

Studzienny said he denies the accusation that he discriminates.

“I have been serving the native community for 20 years. I have native friends, I have eaten at native houses, native people have eaten at my house. I have played music with native people. I am not a racist,” he said.

“I wouldn’t hurt them, but I would just rather not deal with [those in favour of the wind turbines].”

Go to audio.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/09/30/dentist-protests-wind-farms-by-refusing-patients/