Veterans Affairs agent at centre of assisted dying cases ‘no longer employed’ – National | 24CA News
The Veterans Affairs Canada worker who mentioned medical help in dying (MAID) with a minimum of 4 veterans is not employed on the division, Global News has realized.
A spokesperson for Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay’s workplace confirmed the knowledge Tuesday, after a protracted labour relations course of was resolved this week.
“As of today, the employee is no longer employed at Veterans Affairs Canada,” mentioned Erika Lashbrook Knutson, press secretary for the minister.
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Global News first reported in August {that a} VAC worker had mentioned medically assisted loss of life with a veteran, a case that has introduced renewed scrutiny on the division and the continuing battle for veterans searching for assist.
Sources advised Global News a VAC service agent introduced up MAID unprompted in a dialog earlier this 12 months with the fight veteran, who was discussing therapy for post-traumatic stress dysfunction and a traumatic mind harm.
The veteran, whom Global News has not recognized however has spoken with immediately, mentioned the service agent advised him within the name about having helped one other veteran entry assets for medical help in dying, and that the opposite veteran went by with a medically assisted loss of life.
A VAC spokesperson advised Global News final week that it has not been capable of affirm if any veteran who mentioned MAID later ended their very own life.
An inner division investigation sparked by Global News’ reporting not solely confirmed these two instances, but additionally later revealed that the identical VAC agent mentioned MAID with two different veterans, MacAulay first advised lawmakers final month. He mentioned in that testimony that the 4 confirmed instances date again to 2019.
Lashbrook Knutson confirmed Tuesday that for the reason that subject was first delivered to gentle in August, the worker — who has been described by the division as a “well-established” service agent — had not been at work and was not interacting with veterans.
The minister’s workplace couldn’t affirm particular particulars concerning the worker’s termination, together with in the event that they obtained any severance fee.
In November, Veterans Affairs Canada referred the 4 instances to the RCMP for a possible prison investigation.
While the RCMP confirmed to Global News final week that the matter has been referred to “the appropriate RCMP jurisdiction,” the nationwide police power has not confirmed if a proper probe has been opened.
Canada’s assisted dying legislation states such discussions can solely be held between a affected person and their main health-care supplier.
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Veterans affairs minister says no extra assisted dying instances discovered regardless of new claims
In an interview with Global News final week, MacAulay wouldn’t touch upon whether or not the worker needs to be fired, saying it was “a human resources issue” that requires correct procedures below the general public service union contract.
The division says it has not discovered info to verify a declare by retired corporal and former Paralympian Christine Gauthier that she was a fifth veteran with whom a service agent mentioned assisted dying, saying a evaluate of her file didn’t corroborate that such a dialogue occurred.
MacAulay advised Global News he believes the 4 instances confirmed to date will be the extent of the matter — stressing solely the one worker is thought to be concerned — however added he gained’t know for certain till the investigation concludes.
“All I can tell you at this time is there are four cases and one individual employee is involved,” the minister mentioned. “But the investigation is not over.
“I feel that possibly this is all that’s there, but I don’t know.”
The division is about to ship a report on the investigation to the House of Commons standing committee on veterans affairs and make its findings public, however has not set a date for when the probe will wrap up.
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