The newly-elected chair of the Thunder Bay District Board of Health says fluoride is a dead issue.

Shuniah Reeve Maria Harding was elected chair at the board’s annual meeting last week, taking over the reins from Joe Virdiramo.

Harding said the board has voted to end the fluoride debate for now.

The Health Unit spent $90,000 last year on its campaign to have fluoride added to the City’s drinking water.

Harding said the board will only push for fluoridation if the province mandates it, similar to what occurred with smoking laws under Smoke Free Ontario.

She added that the subject has been a very controversial one.

Meanwhile, Harding says the Health Unit will soon welcome its new Acting Medical Officer of Health.

Dr. Henry Kurban is expected to take on that role in March.