Coun. Keith Culliton went on the defence Monday about comments he made at a past council meeting regarding a recreation master plan.

At Monday's council meeting, directing his comments to the media, Culliton said local doctors' support for a master plan study changed his mind about the process.

"I said 35 doctors who voted for the study and if you have 35 doctors, respected people we have in this city who are looking after health, then I'm not going to support not having the study done now," said Culliton.

"I never once said I was going to find out what each doctor gave."

At the May 9 council meeting, Culliton said the doctors should be "big contributors" to the fundraising effort for the new twin icepad arena and community complex now the city is undertaking a master plan study.

In a May 20 editorial in the Gazette, Taunting doctors no way to encourage 'big cheques', Culliton was chastised for the statement.

"It's none of Coun. Culliton's business – or anyone else's – how much any doctor or any other citizen donates to this project.

"That is a personal decision every individual or family will make when the time comes based on a variety of factors, among them their ability to contribute," said the editorial.