Wall satisfied that firing of health care worker was fair
Peter Bowden was fired with cause by Saskatoon Health Region after lengthy investigation
Premier Brad Wall said he's satisfied that the firing of a health-care worker who complained about conditions in his workplace was fair.
"There was a process that was undertaken by the region and my understanding is the CEO of the region has commented that the firing had nothing to do with him coming forward, " Wall said to reporters Monday.
Peter Bowden, a care aide at Oliver Lodge in Saskatoon, came to the legislature in March to complain about the care he said some of the seniors were receiving at the home.
I just want to be clear to health care workers that that legislature is their legislature, and they should feel free to raise any concerns they have...- Premier Brad Wall
The following month, he was suspended with pay. Bowden said he believed he was suspended for speaking out.
But Wall said he is assured that the health region fired Bowden with cause, for incidents that occurred prior to him raising concerns.
"I just want to be clear to health-care workers that that legislature is their legislature, and they should feel free to raise any concerns they have with the opposition, with our MLAs, with anybody the media, with letters to the editors. That's how frankly our attention is drawn to issues, how government can respond."
Privacy commissioner report released Tuesday
Walls comments come the day before the province's information and privacy commissioner will release his findings into the handling of the file by the government.
Shortly after Bowden's suspension, a government official sent an email to the media saying Bowden had been disciplined for incidents related to patient care and harassment of other staff and residents.
The privacy commissioner has been investigating if that communication broke any rules.
Bowden's union has advised him not to speak to media.
A spokesperson said the union is disappointed the health region spoke to media on the issue, and it is seeking advice on how to best represent Bowden.