West Lincoln Mayor Dave Bylsma is facing heavy criticism after he sent a private message to a Niagara resident where he asked her intimate details about her menstrual cycle.
The private message was made public yesterday by the recipient, a Niagara outreach worker, who posted a screenshot of Bylsma’s message, where he asked her if her menstrual cycle had been affected by receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
“You posted that you received the vaccine a while back correct? Not a usual question to ask an acquaintance but did you notice any changes in your period?” the message read.
“Again it’s also none of my business I respect your person and privacy.”
I was on the fence about whether to share this publicly, as an outreach worker I'm all about period positivity, but this isnt that. It is however an example of inappropriate behaviour. (Its also a little presumptuous given my age but thats neither here nor there.) pic.twitter.com/DWXqlyUZGk
— Emily Spanton (she/her/elle) (@whatdoesntkillu) May 18, 2021
The message prompted a swift comment by Niagara’s regional chair Jim Bradley, who said he was ‘deeply concerned and troubled’ to learn about the message.
“It is exceptionally disappointing that a statement needs to be issued on a topic of conversation that is so obviously inappropriate. These types of interactions are embarrassing, and reflect poorly on our entire community,” stated Bradley, condemning Bylsma’s conduct.
Dave Bylsma did not respond to a request for comment on the matter.
It is the second time in months that the West Lincoln mayor is the subject of public statement from the region.
In March, Bylsma spoke publicly at a St Catharines anti-lockdown rally, held in defiance of provincial public health-regulations.
His attendance prompted his own council to vote to remove him from the committee overseeing the local COVID-19 response, as well as removing his name from any news releases coming from the city in regard to the pandemic.
