WATCH: BC Premier Christy Clark says she’s prepared to offer the fired health researchers, and their families, a personal apology.
Clark’s comments come after a news conference today held by the researchers, and family members.
In 2012, eight researchers lost their jobs during a “security” investigation.
Mary Griffin reports.
Health researcher Roderick MacIsaac committed suicide in December of 2012.
His sister, Linda Kayfish, still cannot contain her grief.
“This whole business was just riddled with stink.”
In 2012, MacIsaac and seven other health researchers lost their jobs as part of a “security-breach” probe.
BC’s Ombudsperson released a scathing 500 page report of those firings, with numerous recommendations.
But it’s not enough for Kayfish.
“What do you want from the Premier?”
“I would like an apology, and a plan on how she plans to fix this.”
Premier Christy Clark says she would agree to a personal apology.
“Would you consider that?
An in-person apology to the family members, and the researchers themselves?”
“Certainly.
“Absolutely.
“I mean, if it would bring Ms. Kayfish some closure, absolutely.”
Last week, the head of the public service of British Columbia, Kim Henderson, agreed to accept the Ombudsperson’s report.
“To ensure a similar tragedy cannot and does not happen ever again.
We will move forward on all of the recommendations.”
Clark says Henderson will ensure the recommendations are incorporated into the public service.
“Kim Henderson is the chief of the civil service.
It’s her job to deal with that.
She gets her direction from me, and from our cabinet is to make sure that we accept all of the ombudsperson’s recommendations.”
For fired researcher Ron Mattson, the past five years still haunt him.
“I’ve read part of the report.
I’ve read the report on me.
Basically, I had my guts ripped out when this all started.
I went through two years of just hell.”
“When they make mistakes, stand up and be accountable for it.
We need to show our children that we’re accountable people.
We’re responsible, and we’re going to make this a better province.”
One of the Ombudsperson’s recommendations is the creation of a scholarship in Roderick MacIsaac’s memory.
Mary Griffin
