First it was politicians in the news for taking ill-advised vacations during the holiday season and now it’s prominent public health officials.

One of the members of the province’s COVID-19 vaccine coordination committee has resigned after it came to light he was in the Dominican Republic and a so-called “approved” vacation from December 15th until January 5th.

Dr. Tom Stewart, CEO of the Niagara Health System and the St. Joseph’s Health System has apologized and stressed non-essential travel is to be discouraged.

Toronto Mayor John Tory says prominent public officials are constantly under scrutiny at a time like this.

“He said himself that it’s ill-advised. He’s apologized but it’s not in my hands. It’s in the hands of the directors of that hospital,” Tory told CP24. “This underlines, yet again, that those of us in these different leadership positions visible to the public have an obligation to set an example.”

It’s not clear who approved Stewart’s vacation during this time when people are being told to stay home.