Edmonton doctor sentenced to 4 years in jail for fraud
A doctor based in the Alberta capital is headed to prison for fraudulently billing Alberta Health Services more than $800,000.
Dr. Yifei Shi, 35, was charged last year in what police described as an "ongoing billing scheme" dating back to 2013.
The physician pleaded guilty to fraud over $5,000 and on Thursday was sentenced to four years in prison.
An agreed statement of facts obtained by CTV News Edmonton states that Shi billed for "psychiatric counselling on almost every patient that she saw" but often didn't provide those services.
Shi was initially accused of fraudulently billing the province up to $4.1 million in fees for service, but pleaded guilty only to overcharging by $827,077 in 2016.
Her total billings that year were $1,388,862. The court document states the average for general practitioners in Alberta in 2016 was $306,332.
Court of King's Bench Justice Paul Belzil also ordered Shi to pay back $827,077 in restitution, according to a story by CBC Edmonton.
Before being charged, Shi practiced family and cosmetic medicine at the Commerce Park Medical Clinic on 100 Avenue and 166 Street.
The doctor sent a letter to her patients last week advising them she was closing her west Edmonton practice because she couldn't find anyone to take over.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada's new anti-Islamophobia representative apologizes for comments about Quebecers
Canada's new special representative on combating Islamophobia says she is sorry that her words have hurt Quebecers.
Former CBC journalist dies after random attack on Toronto street, new suspect photo released
A long-time CBC radio producer who was the victim of a random assault in Toronto last week has died, the public broadcaster confirms.
Candice Bergen, former interim Conservative leader, resigning from Parliament
Candice Bergen, the former interim leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, is resigning from Parliament.
Mexico zoo director killed, cooked 4 pygmy goats for party
The former director of a zoo in southern Mexico killed four of the zoo's pygmy goats and served them up at a Christmas-season party, authorities said.The former director of a zoo in southern Mexico killed four of the zoo's pygmy goats and served them up at a Christmas-season party, authorities said.
Republican-led panel targets U.S. COVID relief dollars for review
U.S. House Republicans on Wednesday began their promised aggressive oversight of the Biden administration, focusing on what watchdogs described as 'indications of widespread fraud' in federal coronavirus aid programs initiated under then-president Donald Trump.
Food prices set to increase -- again -- as blackout on price hikes ends at some stores
Higher grocery prices are expected to hit stores across Canada soon as a blackout on price increases over the holiday season comes to an end.
Video shows car driving through Vaughan, Ont. mall during 'absolutely insane' break-in
Police have released a video of a driver who smashed a vehicle through the doors of Vaughan, Ont. mall early Wednesday before allegedly breaking into an electronics store.
'Immediately stop' wearing these sweaters and hoodies, Health Canada warns
Nearly 130,000 Helly Hansen sweaters and hoodies have been recalled in Canada due to flammability concerns.
Liberals set to introduce law delaying expansion of medically assisted dying regime
The federal government is expected to introduce a law as early as Thursday to delay the extension of medically assisted dying eligibility to people whose sole underlying condition is a mental disorder.
Calgary
-
Alberta police believe 'Dances With Wolves' star may have abused local victims
Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service officials are encouraging any local victims to come forward following the arrest of actor Nathan Lee Chasing Horse in Las Vegas on sex assault charges.
-
Former Alta. premier Kenney joining Bennett Jones law firm as senior advisor
A second key player of Alberta's last government revealed their landing spot on Wednesday: former premier Jason Kenney is joining Bennett Jones' Calgary office.
-
9 Calgary restaurants named among the most romantic in Canada for 2023
Calgarians considering celebrating Valentine's Day with a meal at a local eatery have plenty to choose from, including nine named among the most romantic in Canada.
Saskatoon
-
Man accused in Saskatoon killing uses social media to 'terrorize' victim's family, mother says
A man accused of killing his girlfriend is sending harassing social media messages to her family over social media — even though he's in jail.
-
'I feel we are forgotten': Saskatoon long term care residents speak out about staff shortages
Residents of a Saskatoon care home are speaking out about staff shortages and broken equipment in their facility.
-
Saskatoon landlord expects family of man killed in apartment to clean up his blood
Thirty-seven-year-old Adam Willet was found dead in his apartment on 7th Street East in December, and his family says they are now on the hook for cleaning the suite.
Regina
-
Over 20 EMS positions to be added in Regina: province
The Government of Saskatchewan announced it will be adding 24.5 full-time equivalent positions to Regina EMS.
-
All eyes on Connor Bedard as Calgary Hitmen host Regina Pats
Connor Bedard has arrived in Calgary ahead of what's expected to be a completely full Scotiabank Saddledome when the Calgary Hitmen and Regina Pats square off.
-
Feds caught off guard by Saskatchewan 'unforeseen' request for COVID-19 help
Public Safety Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces were caught off guard by a request for help from Saskatchewan during the height of the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Atlantic
-
$31-million lottery ticket sold in Cape Breton, largest win ever in the Maritimes
Atlantic Lottery says someone in Cape Breton has a record-breaking, multimillion-dollar winning lottery ticket.
-
Nova Scotia signs $365-million, 10-year contract for digital medical record system
The Nova Scotia government has entered into a $365-million, 10-year agreement with a health technology firm for the design and management of a digital medical record program first announced more than seven years ago.
-
Sudden deaths of man, woman in Saint John aren't considered criminal: police
Police say the sudden deaths of two people in Saint John, N.B., on Monday don’t appear to be criminal in nature.
Toronto
-
Former CBC journalist dies after random attack on Toronto street, new suspect photo released
A long-time CBC radio producer who was the victim of a random assault in Toronto last week has died, the public broadcaster confirms.
-
61-year-old man charged with attempted murder after baby seriously injured in Markham, Ont. hotel
York Regional Police have charged a family member of a two-month-old baby after the infant was found seriously injured in a Markham hotel on Tuesday.
-
Video shows car driving through Vaughan, Ont. mall during 'absolutely insane' break-in
Police have released a video of a driver who smashed a vehicle through the doors of Vaughan, Ont. mall early Wednesday before allegedly breaking into an electronics store.
Montreal
-
Canada's new anti-Islamophobia representative apologizes for comments about Quebecers
Canada's new special representative on combating Islamophobia says she is sorry that her words have hurt Quebecers.
-
Group says private school near Montreal ignored racism complaints
A private high school west of Montreal is promising to make changes, following allegations that administrators for years ignored complaints about racist bullying targeting two Black students.
-
Heart condition to blame for Montreal girl's death, not vaccines: coroner
Over a year after the death of a 15-year-old student at a Rosemont high school drew protestors who reportedly linked her death to the COVID-19 vaccine, a Quebec coroner has confirmed it was caused by a pre-existing condition.
Ottawa
-
Rideau Canal Skateway will not open for start of Winterlude, NCC says
While crews have resumed operations in an attempt to open the Rideau Canal Skateway for its 53rd season, an NCC spokesperson tells CTV News Ottawa the canal will not open in time for the first weekend of Winterlude on Friday.
-
Man suspended from driving since 1986 caught driving in Ottawa
Ottawa police say a man who hasn't been allowed to drive since Top Gun was in theatres was pulled over in Ottawa last week.
-
'This is a tight budget:' City of Ottawa tables draft spending plan
The city of Ottawa has tabled a belt-tightening draft budget amid increasing financial pressures.
Kitchener
-
Once-in-a-lifetime chance to see rare comet Wednesday night
A once in a lifetime event will pass through the sky Wednesday night, as a comet known as C/2022 E3 (ZTF) will be at its closest point to Earth.
-
Region of Waterloo announces warming centres amid cool February temperatures
As temperatures continue to drop following a mild January, the Region of Waterloo announced designated warming centres that will be open throughout February.
-
Seaforth hospital reducing ER hours due to staff cases of COVID-19
Seaforth Community Hospital is temporarily reducing its emergency room hours as it deals with “sudden health human resource shortages related to COVID-19.”
Northern Ontario
-
Car, train collide in Sudbury, two people in hospital in stable condition
Two people are in Health Sciences North in stable condition following a collision Sunday in Sudbury between a train and a vehicle.
-
Alberta police believe 'Dances With Wolves' star may have abused local victims
Tsuut'ina Nation Police Service officials are encouraging any local victims to come forward following the arrest of actor Nathan Lee Chasing Horse in Las Vegas on sex assault charges.
-
'Immediately stop' wearing these sweaters and hoodies, Health Canada warns
Nearly 130,000 Helly Hansen sweaters and hoodies have been recalled in Canada due to flammability concerns.
Winnipeg
-
Manitoba MP Candice Bergen is stepping down
Candice Bergen, MP for Portage-Lisgar, is stepping down, which means a byelection may be coming.
-
Suspect starts fire in Peguis First Nation home during standoff: RCMP
A 46-year-old man has been charged following a stabbing and standoff on Peguis First Nation over the weekend.
-
'Time-consuming and so exhausting': Restaurant owner fed up with minimum wage subsidy program
A local restaurant owner is speaking out over problems she's encountered applying for a provincial program aimed at helping small businesses offset the impact of the minimum wage hike.
Vancouver
-
B.C. leads Canada in race to protect citizen’s personal information from cybersecurity threats
A dozen Canadian ministers quietly met in Vancouver last week to brainstorm better online protections for the private information of citizens.
-
EV battery catches fire after being 'ejected' during crash in Richmond
The battery of an electric vehicle "ejected and combusted" after a crash in Richmond Tuesday afternoon, according to police.
-
B.C. drug users say 'fight continues' during decriminalization, repeat call for safe supply
Members of an advocacy group for drug users have gathered to celebrate the start of decriminalization in British Columbia and discuss how they will "fight back" against any efforts to seize illicit substances that meet the 2.5-gram threshold allowed under the first such policy in Canada.
Vancouver Island
-
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's former top doctor, hired by B.C. public health service
Alberta's former chief medical officer of health has landed a new role in British Columbia. Dr. Deena Hinshaw was named a deputy provincial health officer for B.C. on Wednesday.
-
Eby not ruling out side talks with PM at national health gathering
British Columbia Premier David Eby says he's optimistic about next week's meetings with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other premiers about health-care funding.
-
New ocean plastics recycling centre on Vancouver Island just 1 of 4 in B.C.
A new recycling centre designed to collect wayward plastics from the ocean has opened on northern Vancouver Island.