Coun. Chiarelli out of hospital after tests

Coun. Rick Chiarelli has been released from hospital after undergoing medical tests. According to Chantal Lebel, Chiarelli's director of strategic affairs and communications, the councillor “is currently on a rehabilitation program of walking and light resistance training and has been cleared by his medical team to resume his participation in budget meetings with the community. “He wants to thank everyone who sent their well wishes while he was hospitalized.” Paramedics treated and transported Chiarelli to hospital last week. His office said tests indicated “further complications” stemming from quadruple-bypass heart surgery in December 2019. The city's 2022 budget process has started and public consultations are happening online. The city will table a draft budget on Nov. 3. Chiarelli is not receiving a paycheque from the city after council suspended his salary for 450 days, starting Aug. 14, 2020, in response to conduct violations cited by the integrity commissioner.