Regulator to get tough with doctors undermining pandemic response in Alberta

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta has lost patience with doctors who have actively undermined the province's response to the pandemic.

At an emergency meeting of the college's council Monday, council members unanimously supported issuing a strongly worded warning letter — underpinned by bolstered standards of practice — to doctors who spread misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines or advise patients not to get vaccinated, improperly issue exemptions for vaccines and masks, or refuse to be vaccinated or wear masks..

Five thousand Alberta doctors responded to a college survey that found more than 96 per cent supported pandemic restrictions and practices but more than three per cent did not. And that three per cent is having an outsized influence in undermining public confidence in vaccines and safety protocols.

"The four per cent of physicians that are actively working against the rest of the 96 per cent are a source of incredible frustration to many of my colleagues," Dr. Jon Meddings, dean of the University of Calgary's faculty of medicine, told Monday's public meeting.

Meddings said it was "absolutely inappropriate" for doctors to skirt the rules by, for example, handing out vaccine exemptions.

"I think we should take people to task for it," Meddings said, summarizing the sentiment of all the council members who spoke at Monday's meeting.

Another councillor, Dr. Ian Walker, pushed strongly for a warning to intransigent doctors that they will face sanctions.