By News Talk Radio Staff

Saskatoon care home whistleblower fired

Aug 16, 2015 | 11:13 AM

A whistleblower, who raised concerns over how seniors are treated at a Saskatoon care home, has been fired. 

Care aide Peter Bowden brought his concerns about care at Oliver Lodge to the Legislature in March. The following month, he was suspended with pay. The province maintains he was suspended because of allegations of workplace misconduct, however Bowden said he believes the suspension was because he spoke out.

Now, in a statement, Saskatoon Health Region (SHR) President Dan Florizone confirmed Bowden’s employment was terminated this week.

The statement said the decision was made “based on the results of a labour relations investigation” into allegations Bowden violated seven SHR policies, and not because Bowden contacted media and politicians about his concernes about care at the facility.

In April, some details of the reasons for Bowden’s suspension were sent to media by executive council chief of operations and communications Kathy Young. The Saskatchewan privacy commissioner is investigating whether the provincial government violated Bowden’s privacy when it released that information.

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Premier Brad Wall said the information on seven allegations was general in nature, and he believed it was consistent with government policy.

“There’s a provision in the act that allows for the disclosure of some information if it’s in the public interest,” he said.

Saskatchewan’s privacy legislation allows the government to share personal information if the public interest outweighs any potential invasion of privacy.

Bowden said all but one of the written complaints were submitted after he went to the Legislature to speak out.