Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Former Top BC Bureaucrat Won't Participate In Health Firings Review

Darpan News Desk Darpan, 25 Nov, 2014 03:55 PM
    VICTORIA — A former top Liberal government bureaucrat involved in the firings of eight health researchers two years ago says he won't take part in a review of the dismissals because it's not an independent probe.
     
    Graham Whitmarsh's announcement came in a written statement released by the Opposition New Democrats that says while he believes Victoria labour lawyer Marcia McNeil can be independent, he doesn't think her review will be.
     
    Whitmarsh was the deputy health minister in 2012 when the firings took place over allegations of inappropriate conduct and data breaches involving employees and drug researchers for the health ministry.
     
    Since the firings, the government has settled three wrongful dismissal lawsuits, reinstated two employees, and Premier Christy Clark and Health Minister Terry Lake have apologized to the family of Roderick MacIsaac, a student who committed suicide.
     
    Whitmarsh says he will participate in an independent review by the auditor general, but not McNeil's which is due Dec. 19.
     
    Legal documents released last week from Whitmarsh's lawyer to the provincial government say that the unrealistic deadline and scope of the review reflects the government's intention of using Whitmarsh as a convenient scapegoat to blame.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    RCMP Begin Arrests On Burnaby Mountain To Dismantle Pipeline Protests

    RCMP Begin Arrests On Burnaby Mountain To Dismantle Pipeline Protests
    BURNABY, B.C. — A small group of protesters has linked arms and is chanting "Stop Kinder Morgan" as Mounties move in to end the months-long demonstration against the pipeline expansion.

    RCMP Begin Arrests On Burnaby Mountain To Dismantle Pipeline Protests

    Undercover Cops Had To Use Degrading Language During BC Investigation: Mountie

    Undercover Cops Had To Use Degrading Language During BC Investigation: Mountie
    KAMLOOPS, B.C. — When police launched an undercover investigation of a man suspected of bludgeoning his girlfriend to death with a hammer, officers were advised to use language that degraded women, a jury has heard.

    Undercover Cops Had To Use Degrading Language During BC Investigation: Mountie

    Over $1.1 billion in unspent funds at Veterans Affairs since 2006: documents

    Over $1.1 billion in unspent funds at Veterans Affairs since 2006: documents
    OTTAWA — Veterans Affairs Canada has returned $1.13 billion to the federal treasury in unspent funds since the Conservatives came to power in 2006 — cash that critics say should have gone towards improved benefits and services.

    Over $1.1 billion in unspent funds at Veterans Affairs since 2006: documents

    Christy Clark Calls BC's NDP Irrelevant, Without Identity, Better Off Green

    Christy Clark Calls BC's NDP Irrelevant, Without Identity, Better Off Green
    VICTORIA — Premier Christy Clark has attacked the Opposition New Democrats as irrelevant and without principles during a question period where she offered her support for the one-member Green Party.

    Christy Clark Calls BC's NDP Irrelevant, Without Identity, Better Off Green

    Today on the Hill: Mayors, councillors wrap annual lobbying effort

    Today on the Hill: Mayors, councillors wrap annual lobbying effort
    OTTAWA — Municipal leaders wind up their annual advocacy trip to Parliament Hill today, after three days of lobbying their federal counterparts.

    Today on the Hill: Mayors, councillors wrap annual lobbying effort

    Ontario Passes Bill To Cut Auto Insurance Premiums An Average Of 15 Per Cent

    Ontario Passes Bill To Cut Auto Insurance Premiums An Average Of 15 Per Cent
    TORONTO - The Ontario legislature has passed a bill aimed at reducing car insurance premiums an average of 15 per cent by next August.

    Ontario Passes Bill To Cut Auto Insurance Premiums An Average Of 15 Per Cent