Week three is going to be an interesting one at the Cameron Inquiry. I was a bit surprised to learn last week that the political players would start testifying so quickly. I figured that after Eastern Health Board Chair Joan Dawe , we might hear from the former CEO George Tilley who fled the chicken coop with a healthy severance payment.
Although some media have been saying this week that Tilley was fired, Joan Dawe said in July that his resignation was unexpected. He joined the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation as chief executive officer on September 5, 2007.
I am not sure what the logic is of having the politicians testify before the CEO, when his conversations with the Department of Health are critical to finding out who knew what and when? There have been three Ministers of Health since this issue was uncovered, one of whom was obviously under a great deal of stress and was on leave for health issues.
We have learned Health Minister John Ottenheimer was informed of problems by Tilley in July 2005. He recommended that they go public. We know there were Q&A's in the Minister's briefing notes for the House of Assembly. What we do not know is if the Minister or his successors informed cabinet of the impending problem.
It is going to be interesting to learn just who knew what? and when? and why more pressure was not put on Eastern Health for full disclosure.
Ottenheimer is currently the chairman of Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. CBC says he will testify tomorrow.
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