Eilish Cleary lands new job with federal government

New Brunswick's former chief medical officer of health has landed a new job with the federal government working as a specialist focusing on First Nations health issues.

Dr. Eilish Cleary, who was fired by the provincial government in December, has now been hired by the Trudeau government.

Cleary wasn't available for an interview on Wednesday, but confirmed to CBC News by email that she is working with the federal government as a public health specialist.

"I will be focused on First Nations health and based in Fredericton," Cleary said.

​The reason for Cleary's dismissal from the province has never been stated, with government officials saying only that it was a personnel matter and they couldn't say more without clearance from Cleary.

Cleary previously told CBC News she was fired "without cause" and was considering "next steps."

She said she had not been informed of any personnel issue involving her conduct at any point during her employment.

Tom Maston, the deputy minister of health, had said in a statement in December that Cleary's departure was "not politically motivated."

The civil servant also said there were no questions about "the medical and scientific work being undertaken by the office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health," which he said was continuing.

The two sides reached a settlement in January. A joint statement from Cleary and Maston announced the confidential agreement, and stated it was time to return the focus to public health.

Cleary was in Sackville Tuesday night to give a speech at Mount Allison University about lessons learned from the Ebola crisis.