as long as cmohs in canada remain government employees who report through their political masters instead of through the legislature, this ridiculous situation will continue.
whether it’s shahab in saskatchewan, or it’s his colleagues such as bonny henry in british columbia and deena hinshaw in alberta, there’s an increasing public sense that economic pressures are dictating health guidelines.
although henry has greater independence as a cmoh under the b.c. public health act than do her counterparts across canada to advise ministers and public officials on health-related legislation, and make recommendations to improve health and wellness in b.c., she remains a government employee no different from shahab.
this underdog relationship to government makes medical officers, for the most part, toothless as they perform their duties.
in shahab’s case, where the premier or health minister who shared a podium with him in earlier pandemic times often outright contradicted his statements or put their own spin on his advice, the result has been to raise public questions about his credibility.
across canada, too many holders of cmoh positions are having their reputations sullied under the current system. their role in safeguarding public health is too important to let politicians use selective portions of recommendations to justify whatever they want to do while attributing it to cmohs.