REVELATIONS SHOW HINSHAW AS A STRONG-WILLED FIGHTER
Release of tapes from confidential meeting only underlines her value to Albertans
Chief medical officer of health
Dr. Deena Hinshaw has had bad days during this pandemic, but Thursday was the worst.
A CBC story featuring audio recordings of confidential talks with officials showed her as frustrated and exasperated.
Hinshaw was appalled that someone had secretly recorded meetings of the Emergency Operations Centre.
For her, this is a violation of both her trust and their public service oath.
And she had to deal publicly with the impression, coming with considerable evidence, that she often opposes the government's pandemic response.
Asked about her comment that dealing with cabinet could be an “uphill battle,” she said: “My dad used to say that if you and your partner always agree, then one of you is unnecessary.”
She said that while the reporting “indicates that at times I have felt frustrated — as I am a human being — the reality is that it is critical to have multiple perspectives.”
Hinshaw called the disclosure “a personal betrayal, and a betrayal of the trust that our hard-working team have placed in each other.
“This process has been violated. These meetings should be a safe space where public servants have candid and ongoing conversations and debate. This safety and trust are now broken.”
Who did it? An investigation is underway.
Critics immediately cry that a legitimate whistleblower was just performing a public service.
For me, Hinshaw comes out of this with more respect than ever.
The recordings show she's no pushover or apologist for the cabinet.
But her legal role, as she often says, is to provide advice to the elected officials, not to make the decisions.
Typically, Hinshaw presents a range of options for dealing with everything from schools to restaurants, gyms, religious gatherings and much more.
A cabinet committee chews them over and makes a decision. Hinshaw's favoured options don't always win.
But with this week's measures, sources say, every decision was within the range of options she offered.
One recommendation was to close restaurants, bars and lounges for two weeks and perhaps longer, I was told by several people with knowledge of the matter.
But the cabinet committee decided to go with another option — limiting diners to members of the same family. People living alone can bring two approved contacts.
This is exceedingly clumsy. Restaurants can't be asked to police family membership. (Hello, sir, is that young woman really your daughter?)
The NDP pounced on Hinshaw's frustration as proof that the government is ignoring her advice.
“I've lost count of the number of times he (Premier Jason Kenney) has deflected criticism by hiding behind Dr. Hinshaw's skirts,” said NDP Leader Rachel Notley.
“The revelations today further amplify the degree to which Jason Kenney has been hiding the truth from Albertans.”
Notley called for a committee of independent experts to examine the COVID-19 response. And she repeated her demand that cabinet release all of Hinshaw's recommendations.
Hinshaw pleaded for unity of purpose.
“I know there are many views about how we should proceed. However, we are becoming divided when we most need to engage in respectful dialogue. We need to do this together for the health of all Albertans.”
Some critics think Hinshaw should resign in protest.
An old saying applies: Be careful what you wish for.
The chief medical officer of health is an employee of the health department.
A staff of six reports to her. She answers in turn to the deputy minister or, more frequently now, Health Minister Tyler Shandro.
The CMOH is very much a creature of the government.
And yet, as the CBC story shows, Hinshaw is strong-willed and doesn't hesitate to fight the battles. What the ministers do with her advice is entirely on them, not her.
If she were to quit or be forced out, the government could simply appoint a tame replacement with more interest in career than COVID.
In the end, Hinshaw's bad day turned out to be the very one that proved her value to Albertans.