The firing of New Brunswick’s chief medical officer has raised questions among the community about possible corporate influence on government and has prompted corporate giant J.D. Irving to demand the removal of a CBC article.
CBC New Brunswick has published an article about Dr. Eilish Cleary, who was put on leave — and subsequently fired — from her job as the province’s chief medical officer. Before her departure she was working on researching glyphosate, a herbicide deemed “probably carcinogenic” by WHO, which is being used by J.D. Irving and NB Power in the province.
J.D. Irving claims that “CBC presented an unsubstantiated conspiracy theory as fact.” Jacques Poitras, who wrote the story, does not speculate in the piece as to the reasons for Cleary’s dismissal, but does mention that J.D. Irving’ and NB Power use glysophate. Invoking JDI’s name gave way to comments and tweets asking whether the company had any involvement with the firing — something they categorically deny.
Statement from Deputy Minister of Health Tom Maston on Eilish Cleary leave. pic.twitter.com/SwHMKt21Cu
— Jacques Poitras (@poitrasCBC) December 3, 2015
@cluttercoco I’ve reported what I’ve been able to confirm.
— Jacques Poitras (@poitrasCBC) December 3, 2015
There was an outcry over Cleary’s leave and it only grew stronger when J.D. Irving posted a press release calling the coverage a “baseless conspiracy” and requesting an apology and an immediate removal of the piece.
JDI Responds to Unprofessional @CBCNB Story https://t.co/lPeqHWFJWB #NB
— J.D. Irving, Limited (@jdirvinglimited) December 4, 2015
Despite that, some took the mention of JDI as an implication that Irving had a hand in the ordeal. Hundreds of comments, tweets, and posts said the New Brunswick government is under Irving’s thumb.
CANADALAND reached out to Mary Keith, a spokesperson for J.D. Irving, to ask which part of the article they took issue with. “What I’m very concerned about is the knitting together of an allegation and a reference to our company,” she said. “The conclusion that has been drawn as a result of putting those things together is completely baseless. Why would you reference any company is my question?”
Keith was also concerned that Poitras did not contact J.D. Irving for comment on the story despite later clarifying on Twitter that JDI did not play a role in Cleary’s leave. Poitras defended his article, saying because there are no allegations against JDI he did not pick up the phone.
@poitrasCBC In the interest of a balanced story why didn’t you call JDI? @CBCNB
— Mary Keith (@JDIMaryKeith) December 4, 2015
@poitrasCBC Respectfully this doesn’t answer the question. CBC reports innuendo with no responsibility to verify an allegation? @CBCNB
— Mary Keith (@JDIMaryKeith) December 4, 2015
@poitrasCBC @CBCNB Still looking for direct answer please. As investigative reporter why didn’t you call?
— Mary Keith (@JDIMaryKeith) December 4, 2015
@poitrasCBC So why mention JDI? You should update your online stories to include what you have said in this tweet @CBCNB
— Mary Keith (@JDIMaryKeith) December 4, 2015
Darrow McIntyre, the executive producer of news at CBC New Brunswick said he does not have any public statements right now, but Poitras tweeted out that the CBC is standing by it.
Keith said JDI and the CBC are trying to resolve the issue directly. Keith said there are no plans to sue CBC New Brunswick at the moment. J.D. Irving’s name has not appeared in any follow-up articles.
We stand by our story. @JDIMaryKeith @JDIGeoffBritt https://t.co/cQD9ah9iGT
— Jacques Poitras (@poitrasCBC) December 4, 2015
Meanwhile, in an update, the CBC reported that deputy minister Tom Maston denied Cleary was let go because of the study. According to Maston, the “human resources process” that’s underway is “not politically motivated, nor have questions been raised about the medical and scientific work being undertaken by the office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health.”
And then Cleary was fired.
BREAKING: Dr. Eilish Cleary says she’s been fired.
— Jacques Poitras (@poitrasCBC) December 7, 2015
Reaction and speculation grows one day after Dr. Eilish Cleary fired https://t.co/r1QjA5oTYz #nbpoli pic.twitter.com/zCWkYZoayb
— Laura Brown (@01LBrown) December 8, 2015
In a letter to Minister of Health Victor Boudreau, the President of the New Brunswick Medical Society expressed concern with the situation and hope that Cleary’s dismissal was not politically motivated.
“If any part of our own work suggests that our former Chief Medical Officer of Health was terminated because of a scientific or medical opinion, we will strongly protest such a decision.”
The firing of Dr. Cleary continues to spark calls for transparency and her reinstatement as questions about the situation remain unanswered.
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