A Calgary judge released Alberta Health’s Chief Medical Officer, Deena Hinshaw, to three questions asked of her at a private hearing about confidential cabinet discussions in the province.
These questions were asked on the edge of the legal challenge, by a group of Albertans, of health restrictions aimed at suppressing the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Justice Barbara Romaine of the Court of Queen’s Bench, the public interest in Dr.’s answers. Hinshaw on court questions is more important than keeping evidence confidential.
So, Judge Romaine confirmed that Deena Hinshaw responded No. when the court asked him:
whether the Prime Minister or his cabinet has ordered him to adopt more stringent measures than he proposes himself;
if the cabinet ordered him to impose larger restrictions than he proposed on certain groups, such as churches, fitness centers, schools and small businesses;
if the Council of Ministers has already rejected the measures to ease the health restrictions it proposes.
Lawyers for the provincial government were opposed to the release of the information, arguing that discussions between Dr Hinshaw and the cabinet should remain confidential.
It was then decided that Deena Hinshaw would answer the three questions in a private hearing so that Judge Romaine could decide whether these answers should be made public and added to the evidence.
Attorney Nicholas Trofimuk, representing the government in the case, confirmed on Friday that the government decided not to appeal judge Romaine’s decision in the public interest answers from Dr. Hinshaw.
The plaintiffs and the government will soon present their written arguments. Judge Barbara Romaine’s decision in this case was not expected for several months.
With information from Meghan Grant
Source: Radio-Canada
