The BCCLA has obtained internal government documents that allege that the first doctor in 30 years to act as Chief Coroner in B.C., Dr. Diane Rothon, was forced to leave her position by government compromising her “professional ethics and personal values.” She also accused government of “weakening” and “eroding” the coroner’s role. Media reports on Friday indicate that the former Chief Coroner was paid $128,000 in severance after just eight months on the job.
“There is great confusion in the media messaging by the province and the internal records about whether Dr. Rothon quit, was fired or left pursuant to some mutual agreement,” said David Eby, Executive Director of the BCCLA. “That she was paid $128,000 at some point shortly before or after alleging that government was asking her to compromise her professional ethics is something our new Solicitor General must address, and immediately.”
The BCCLA has already asked the Ombudsperson of B.C. to investigate this matter. In light of these recently obtained allegations by Dr. Rothon, the significant severance payment, and discussion in the FOI documents within government of attempts to make Dr. Rothon’s resignation over a policy dispute look like a “termination”, the BCCLA will now be writing to the Ombudsperson to ask her to expand the scope of her investigation. The Coroners’ office is currently undergoing an audit by the Auditor General of B.C.
“The Coroner’s office is in distress, with repeated issues of lost files, allegations of interference and erosion of independence,” said Eby. “Interfering with the Chief Coroner’s office is illegal, and is as serious as interfering with police. The public will not stand for it, and we insist that these serious allegations are investigated.”
In Ontario, failings in the provincial coroner’s office led to wrongful convictions in child deaths and a massive public inquiry.
Clicker here to read the full FOI documentation obtained by the BCCLA
MEDIA CONTACTS:
David Eby, Executive Director, (778) 865-7997
Robert Holmes, President, (604) 838-6856
