Manitoba health minister rejects calls to resign after accusing 200-plus doctors of 'causing chaos'
'He should resign because an apology is the bare minimum,' NDP health critic says
Manitoba's health minister is facing calls to resign after he refused to apologize for questioning the motivation of a group of doctors who warned of "grave peril" if the province doesn't contain the COVID-19 pandemic soon.
At a committee hearing Tuesday, Cameron Friesenaccused the group of more than 200doctors and infectious disease expertsof "causing chaos."
"If he doesn't apologize,he should resign because an apology is the bare minimum," NDPhealth critic Uzoma Asagwarasaid.
"It's the bareminimum of being accountable to Manitobans and accountable to the health-care providers who are literally putting their health at risk."
The health minister challengedthe purpose of theletter, which called forstronger action from the province, including emergency funding.
"I get it, they're scared and they want the best for their patients and I absolutely agree," Friesen said on Tuesday.
"ButI wonder at the motivation to produce that letter,to generate it at a time when they knew it would have maximum effect in causing chaos in the system when Manitobans need most to understand that the people in charge have got this."
The condemnation of Friesen's comments was swift on social mediaafter the NDP posted a videoof his remarks.
On Wednesday, however, Friesen resistedAsagwara's repeated calls to apologize.
Instead, he expressed gratitude for the work health-care workers accomplish every day.
"While I stand bythe words Isaid yesterday the timing is a challengeright now, becauseright now we really believe that Manitobans need reassurances," he told Wednesday's committee hearing. "Thenumbers forCOVID-19 are continuing to travel upwards that makes a lot of Manitobans very nervous."
The Morden-WinklerMLA also said the letter demonstrates some doctors are afraid, andit is thegovernment's responsibility to take action to create a safe working environment.
Manitoba Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont argued that askingFriesen to tender his resignation as health minister is justified. He had already asked Friesen to step downa few weeks ago, insistingthe government was unprepared for the pandemic's second wave.
"Everybody else out there has to face consequences when they screw up, and that doesn't happen in this building and it should," he said.
Many in the medical community took offence to Friesen's controversial comments.
"I'm a bit astounded at his reaction," said Dr. Dan Roberts, a physician and former director ofthe medical intensive-care unit at Winnipeg's Health Science Centre.
"To question the motivation of concerned physicians is a bit extreme and saying that 'he's got this,' I think is hubris.
Another physician, Dr. EricJacobsohn, said many of his colleagues foundFriesen's remarks ill-conceived, but they'refearful to speak out.
"It's a bit of a sad indictment of a system where well-meaning people, hard-working cliniciansin an excellent public health-care system feel vulnerable giving their opinions," he said.
"I think that's the antithesis of what our health-care system is meant to be."
Also at question period, Premier Brian Pallister defended his health minister, stating Friesen has"taken the lead" in boosting COVID-19 testing capacity, hiring nurses and shorteninghospital wait times, among other measures.
"That's what this minister has done and that's what he's going to darn well keep doing."
Friesen's spokespersonsaid the ministercouldn't speak to media on Wednesday because he had to go straight to a committee hearing after question period. CBC News approached him as he walked out of question period, but he walked back inside.
With files from Karen Pauls
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