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
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.