Fired health researchers receive apologies, money

Payment from B.C. Public Service does not make up for damage caused, one says

Health researchers wrongly fired in 2012 have received letters of apology and cheques, ranging from $15,000 to $125,000, from the head of the B.C. Public Service.

The payouts, based on recommendations by the B.C. ombudsperson, were delivered in the final week of June — just in time for the ombudsperson’s recommended deadline of June 30.

A letter accompanying a cheque for $75,000 to Ramsay Hamdi details the ways in which the Ministry of Health failed him.

Among them, it said Hamdi was not informed of the allegations against him, he was not given a full opportunity to respond to those allegations and there were no reasonable grounds for his dismissal.

“As a valued Ministry of Health employee of over 28 years and a senior economist who was a team member, trusted co-worker and expert in the proper use of administrative health data and economic modelling, you deserved to be treated fairly and respectfully,” the letter says.

“On behalf of the government, I apologize that you did not receive this fair and respectful treatment, and for your suspension and dismissal. I further apologize for the stress and harm, including harm to your finances and reputation, you suffered as a result of this investigation and its aftermath.”

The letter is signed by Kim Henderson, deputy minister to the premier under Christy Clark, and head of the B.C. Public Service.

Hamdi said he appreciated the apology, but said it should have come from those directly responsible. He said he didn’t believe the ombudsperson’s conclusion that there was no political interference in the process.

He said when he went to deposit his $75,000 cheque, he waited in line behind Mark Isaacs, a wrongly fired Health Ministry contractor.

“This touched us all like a fire,” Hamdi said. “It was the same teller. He had quite a day.”

Ron Mattson, another wrongly fired employee, said the cash and apology don’t make up for the damage caused by the firings, including the death of researcher Roderick MacIsaac. MacIsaac, a 46-year-old University of Victoria co-op student, killed himself in December 2012, about four months after he was fired in connection with allegations of inappropriate conduct involving government drug research.

“I believe they did what they were required to do or what was recommended to do through the (ombudsperson’s) report,” Mattson said. “Did I feel warm and fuzzy after receiving it? No. It’s very nice that the civil service provided us the apology, but it should have come from the government and from the former premier.”

Mattson said that while he was pleased to receive $125,000, it doesn’t make things right.

“I can’t even think of a proper way to describe how badly they treated us,” he said. “No money in the world will bring back Roderick.”

It’s very nice that the civil service provided us the apology, but it should have come from the government and from the former premier.