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Ombudsperson to investigate Health Ministry firings scandal

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VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – BC’s health minister is asking the Office of Ombudsperson to look into the controversial firings of eight Health Ministry workers in 2012.

Terry Lake says “the proper avenue” to look into the scandal is through that office and today he made a formal request for that investigation, after dismissing calls for a public inquiry from the fired workers and the provincial opposition.

Late last month those directly affected by the firings wrote an open letter demanding a public inquiry.

Minister Lake recently said an inquiry would be challenging due to privacy laws but the eight people who have signed this letter say they, as a matter of principle, have no objection to revealing details of their settlements if the province allows them to do so.

In September 2012, the provincial government fired eight staffers citing a reported breach in the how public health data was handled during a breach of privacy. One of the eight people fired took his own life shortly after.
Since the story surfaced, the province has apologized, admitting it was a heavy-handed move.

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