Ombudsperson Jay Chalke says a legislative amendment is needed before he can properly investigate the 2012 health-firings scandal.
In a letter to a legislative committee, which met this morning to request that Chalke investigate the firings, Chalke said the committee should not refer the investigation to him without an urgent legislative amendment.
Health Minister Terry Lake asked last week for the committee to refer the matter to Chalke.
Chalke says he does not have the authority to require people to provide information despite any claim of confidentiality or privilege, except lawyer-client privilege.
He said interviews by his office are private, but the final report will be public.
“Without such an amendment, I predict that the result will, at best, be litigation, cost and delay commenced by one or more persons concerning the ombudsperson’s right to information, and, at worst, the inability of this office to obtain key information.
