'More chaos': Both of Alberta's deputy chief medical officers of health resigning
A pair of public health physicians who assist Alberta's new chief medical officer of health (CMOH) have turned in their notice in the latest shakeup to the province's health system.
Dr. Rosana Salvaterra and Dr. Jing Hu are both resigning from the office of CMOH Dr. Mark Joffe, the health minister and a government spokesperson confirmed Wednesday.
There was no reason given for the departures and it was not clear when the changes would take effect.
When reached by The Canadian Press, Salvaterra responded: “Unfortunately, we are not able to comment.”
She later added that she respects and admires both Dr. Hinshaw and Dr. Hu.
“They are brilliant, hard-working, and compassionate public health physicians and I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work alongside them for these past 14 months,” she wrote.
Hu's out-of-office message said her “last day at work with Alberta Health was Nov. 18, 2022,” and noted she wouldn't have access to the department email after that date.
Dr. Joffe replaced Dr. Deena Hinshaw on an interim basis in November, after Premier Danielle Smith promised to shake things up during her United Conservative Party leadership campaign.
"We know the premier fired Dr. Hinshaw, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health," NDP MLA David Shepherd said in question period Wednesday.
"Now, there were two deputies in that office as well. We have heard that both have left their roles. So can the premier confirm that both deputy chief medical officers of health are no longer in their roles?"
The premier didn't rise to answer, instead Health Minister Jason Copping did.
"I can confirm that both deputy CMOH have submitted their resignation. They are still continuing to work at this point in time. We are in the process of actually looking to fill those roles and support Dr. Joffe in terms of his role as CMOH with all the support he needs to be able to fulfill his function," he said.
A government spokesperson added: "We expect these changes to have no impact on the department’s and Dr. Joffe’s ability to meet the requirements of the Public Health Act."
Shepherd later said on Twitter that the latest departure equals, "More chaos in the midst of crisis under the UCP."
Smith also fired 11 members from the governing board of Alberta Health Services in November and named Dr. John Cowell as administrator.
One of the board members that Smith fired released a scathing letter afterwards accusing the premier of abusive, divisive attacks and having “warped” anti-science beliefs.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.