Regarding Professional Conduct and Representation of Dr. Jonathan Mayer

We, the undersigned members of the ODA and community at large, wish to formally address our concerns regarding recent social media activity by Dr. Jonathan Mayer, current Director and Vice-President of the ODA.

Background and Concerns

At the time of writing, Dr. Mayer’s personal Facebook profile is publicly accessible, allowing unrestricted viewing of his posts. Several of these posts, in our view, display behaviour and language that are inconsistent with the standards of professionalism expected from an ODA leader. For example, on 2025-11-12, Dr. Mayer posted a photo in his capacity as an ODA representative alongside Liberal MPP John Fraser, using hashtags such as #OntarioDentalAssociation and #ODAAdvocacy. However, subsequent posts on his profile contain vulgar and aggressive language, including profanity directed at the same Liberal government he previously referenced in a professional context.

Such conduct undermines Dr. Mayer’s credibility and raises substantial concerns about his ability to represent our association in negotiations with government officials on vital issues such as the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) and labour shortages, where professionalism and integrity are paramount.

Issue of Hate Speech and Misinformation

More troubling are posts in which Dr. Mayer has shared extremist views and controversial misinformation, including content spreading hateful anti-Muslim rhetoric and articles that minimize the suffering of Palestinians. These views, such as those expressed in the article “The Nakba Myth,” are contrary to the globally recognized facts acknowledged by the United Nations and other international authorities. Such rhetoric not only offends but also alienates our Palestinian colleagues and members.

Risks to the ODA

The ongoing dissemination of divisive, hateful, or misinformed commentary by a senior ODA representative poses reputational risks to our profession and undermines the Board’s mandate to represent all 11,000 ODA members fairly and responsibly. Dr. Mayer’s actions suggest a lack of integrity, sound professional judgement, and the moral standards we expect in our leadership, especially as he is set to assume the role of ODA President in less than two years.

Petition and Demand

In light of the above, we, the undersigned members, respectfully petition the ODA Board of Directors to:

1. Immediately remove Dr. Jonathan Mayer from the ODA Board of Directors.
2. Prohibit Dr. Jonathan Mayer from volunteering or representing our organization in any capacity, now or in the future.
We trust the Board will consider the integrity and reputation of our association as it deliberates on this matter. Our profession deserves leadership that upholds the values of respect, inclusivity, and professionalism.