B.C. health minister silent as muzzling criticism grows

More B.C. health-care workers have spoken up publicly and on background confirming CTV News reporting on allegations of repercussions for speaking up about patient care and workplace conditions, but the health minister has not answered questions on the matter.

More B.C. health-care workers have spoken up publicly and on background confirming CTV News reporting on allegations of repercussions for speaking up about patient care and workplace conditions, but the health minister has not answered questions on the matter. 

The Doctors of BC and BC Nurses’ Union joined others in denouncing efforts to silence questions, criticism and complaints, whether on the record publicly, or through internal channels within the public health-care system.

CTV News made multiple efforts to speak with the health minister directly so he could address specific points, including toxic workplace allegations, unofficial labelling of some workers as “troublemakers” and claims some policies are “weaponized” against staff in order to punish them for not toeing the party line.

Adrian Dix’s office claimed that, despite an entire day’s notice and an extension of the deadline to respond, he was not available, sending an extensive written statement reiterating past talking points that there are “appropriate” channels to raise concerns and that whistleblower protection is in place for workers.

Sources tell CTV News that raising concerns about staffing levels, quality of care, and other issues have resulted in notices to workers that they're in violation of “respectful workplace policies,” and that health authority lawyers have even gotten involved.

The Canadian Medical Protection Association, which provides medico-legal advice for physicians, declined comment on allegations the policy was being “weaponized” because they felt “it would be inappropriate to comment publicly on this issue, which directly involves our member-physicians.”

Insiders also expressed frustration that health authority chiefs and other experts in the public health system who are ready and willing to address a variety of issues have been nearly absent from the public eye, despite requests from journalists for interviews, as messaging and control of the situation has been centralized with the minister and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.