University of Sask. suspends surgery prof who made COVID-19 claims
A Saskatoon surgeon who publicly made claims concerning COVID-19 vaccines has been suspended from the University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine and fired by the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).
Dr. Francis Christian appeared in an online video where he called for the pause of the COVID-19 vaccinations for children and called the vaccines "experimental injections."
Christian reiterated his claim during a June 17 media availability held outside Walter Murray Collegiate where he refused to answer questions from reporters.
On its website, the Government of Canada says its authorization process "is recognized around the world for its high standards and rigorous review" and decisions are based "only on scientific and medical evidence showing that vaccines are safe and effective."
In an email to staff obtained by CTV News, the interim head of the university's surgery department said Christian's academic and responsibilities are "temporarily and immediately suspended" as of Wednesday.
The email from Brian Ulmer said that the suspension also applies to Christian's role as quality improvement and patient safety director and his role as the university's director of surgical humanities.
Ulmer did not specify the reason for Christian's suspension in the email.
In an emailed statement, college of medicine dean Preston Smith confirmed the suspension and said Christian's "actions and public statements" are under review by the SHA and the university.
Smith said while the university encourages "public debate of important societal issues," its medical faculty is subject to ethical and professional standards governing the practice of medicine.
The SHA said it has terminated Christian’s contract under the Provincial Academic Clinical Funding Plan Agreement. It said it is required to give 90 days notice, so Christian’s contract will end on Sept. 21.
“While we respect that residents of Saskatchewan have a right to free speech, health system leaders are expected to be committed to fact-based, scientifically driven public messaging. Given the risks of COVID, leaders who depart from this commitment in favour of conspiracy theories put Ives at risk by potentially discouraging uptake on life saving vaccines,” the SHA said in a statement to CTV News.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
B.C. theatre to pay $55K to neurodivergent actor in discrimination case
British Columbia's human rights tribunal has awarded a neurodigergent actor, who was diagnosed with sensory and learning disorders, more than $55,000 after finding that a Kelowna theatre company discriminated against him because of his disabilities.
Who's responsible for regulating cannabis stores operating under the sovereignty banner?
It's not quite clear who is supposed to be regulating so-called sovereign cannabis stores or even ensure they're benefiting Indigenous communities.