Rino Volpé, former Vitalité CEO suing province for nearly $1.3M

Rino Volpé claims he was wrongfully dismissed as the chief executive officer of the Vitalité Health Network last November, and is seeking $1,279,132 in damages.

CBC News has obtained court documents filed by Volpé's lawyers with the Court of Queen's Bench in Moncton. 

In the documents, Volpé says on Nov. 21, 2014, he received a dismissal letter from Health Minister Victor Boudreau.

Boudreau alleged in the letter that Volpé "violated the conditions of his employment contract," by refusing to collaborate with his department, provincial committees, and the Department of Social Development. 

Volpé denies allegations

The former Vitalité CEO has denied all of the allegations, and said the province has no facts or justification for letting him go. 

In an affidavit Volpé said Boudreau's letter was the first time he was made aware of any dissatisfaction with his work. 

Volpé served as Vitalité's CEO from Feb. 12, 2013, until his dismissal last November. He was fired six weeks after Victor Boudreau was named health minister under Brian Gallant's government.

• Vitalité head Rino Volpé says he was fired by health minister

• Rino Volpé plans lawsuit over firing as Vitalité Health's CEO

Volpé said after Boudreau's appointment he contacted his office several times requesting a meeting with the new minister, but he said he never got a meeting. 

Allegations of wrongdoing, Volpé said, were never brought to his attention or raised by those he worked with, including he said, Vitalité's board of directors. He said he is not aware of any complaints made about his performance.

Volpé has hired the Ottawa law firm, Caza Saikaley to represent him, and his lawyers Ronald Caza and Gabriel Poliquin have submitted a 739-page statement of claim.

Former health ministers support Volpé

Among the documents are five affidavits in support of Volpé's work, including letters from former Progressive Conservative health minister Madeleine Dubé, and Paul Couturier, the chairman of Vitalité's board of directors.

Mr. Volpe conducted himself at all times honestly, honourably and competently.- Former Health Minister Ted Flemming

Ted Flemming was the Progressive Conservative health minister who appointed Volpé as CEO in 2013, and he submitted an affidavit describing Volpé's work.

"I was satisfied that there was never any reason to dismiss Mr. Volpe ... Mr. Volpe conducted himself at all times honestly, honourably and competently," wrote Flemming.

Flemming also went into detail about how the health network's finances improved under Volpé.

"When I first appointed Mr. Volpé, Vitalité's deficit was of approximately $10 million," wrote Flemming.

"When I left the office of Minister of Health, Vitalité was headed for a surplus of approximately $10 million."

The provincial government had little to say in response to Volpé's lawsuit.
 
"This matter is before the courts and we cannot comment on it," said Bruce Macfarlane, communications director for the Department of Health.

CBC News contacted Volpé for comment but he did respond to the request.