Administrator who oversees Nova Scotia Health doing job from Ontario

The woman who oversees the work of Nova Scotia Health is doing that job from Ontario, where she moved in July. 

Minister of Health Michelle Thompson doesn't believe being the administrator from three provinces away in any way hampers Janet Davidson's ability to do her nearly $200,000-a-year job.

"I don't believe it does," said Thompson. "We certainly have lots of virtual options and there are times, even within the province, that we meet virtually for ease."

Premier Tim Houston appointed Davidson in September 2021 when he fired the authority's entire board of directors in a major shakeup of senior leadership within Nova Scotia Health.

Houston replaced the CEO, Brendan Carr, with a political appointee, Karen Oldfield. Oldfield remains in place despite her title as "interim" CEO.

Health minister defends contract renewal

Davidson was chair of the board when it was scrapped. In 2019, under the previous Liberal government, she was temporarily appointed CEO. Previously she was a deputy minister in Alberta.

On Wednesday, Thompson defended this week's decision to renew Davidson's yearly contract.

"We feel that it's important to keep her, especially based — not only on her credentials — but on the historical knowledge that she has of Nova Scotia," said Thompson, who described Davidson as a "thought leader" and someone who "is very well respected both nationally and internationally."

"She's been with us since this new structure started. We trust her and we continue to want her to stay in this role."

Nova Scotia's opposition leaders see things differently.

Liberal Leader Zach Churchill, who named Davidson chair of the board in March 2021, said the decision to renew her contract as administrator didn't make much sense.

'How can you do that remotely?'

"Janet is definitely qualified, but if you are going to lead our health-care system, you have to know what's happening on the ground," said Churchill.

"You have to be able to observe the patient experience. You have to be talking to health-care professionals and doctors about what's happening in their clinics and in their hospital rooms. How can you do that remotely?"

Churchill said the move smacked of "hypocrisy" given the Houston government's decision to order public servants back to their desks in order to better serve the public.

NDP Leader Claudia Chender offered a similar message when informed of Davidson's arrangement with the province.

"We have heard from so many civil servants, particularly the civil servants who are differently abled or who have challenges coming to work or who aren't located in the city centre, who are really challenged by this directive with seemingly no rationale," said Chender.

"And here we have one of the top civil servants with one of the top salaries being completely exempted. If anyone should be at work in Nova Scotia, I think it's probably Miss Davidson."

Deal consistent with return-to-work edict, minister says

Thompson said the deal between Davidson and the province was consistent with the government's return-to-work edict and that some circumstances are taken into consideration. 

"We've said all along that there are jobs that we feel need to be done in person," said Thompson.

"In this administrative capacity, we don't believe that it will have any impact directly on Ms. Davidson's ability to perform her work."