Interior Health's employment of Dr. de Villiers after criminal charge 'extremely disturbing' says MLA

A BC Liberal MLA criticized the provincial government Thursday morning for continuing to employ Interior Health's former chief medical health officer for more a year and a half after he was charged with sexually assaulting a young child.

During question period in B.C.'s Legislature Thursday morning, MLA for Kamloops – North Thompson Peter Milobar grilled Health Minister Adrian Dix over Dr. Albert de Villiers' continued employment with Interior Health, up until his conviction earlier this week in a Grande Prairie, Alta. courtroom.

“It's extremely disturbing to everyone to learn that after he was charged in June 2021, he was allowed to return to work on Oct. 4, 2021, where he continued to collect a six-figure salary,” Milobar said during question period. “No suspension there.”

De Villiers was Interior Health's chief medical officer between summer 2020 and June 2021, when he was charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a child, stemming from incidents in Grande Prairie between 2018 and 2019.

Following a three-day trial last month, de Villiers was convicted Tuesday morning. Following the conviction, Interior Health released a short statement stating “a person convicted of criminal charges of this nature is unable to fulfill the duties of the position.” After following up for details, the health authority told Castanet, “As of today [Feb. 7], Dr. de Villiers is no longer an employee of Interior Health.”

Castanet reported last September about de Villiers' continued employment with IH. From March 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022, Interior Health paid Dr. de Villiers a total of $361,656. This was a 75% increase from $205,636 he made the year prior. Data from April 2022 to February 2023 is not yet available.

During question period, Milobar juxtaposed de Villiers' continued employment with B.C. health professionals being “muzzled” for speaking out about their concerns – presumably a reference to a Port Hardy doctor who recently said he was suspended for calling for the resignation of Island Health's chief medical health officer.

“Under this government, hard-working doctors and nurses who speak out are facing swift justice and suspensions, but a vile criminal like Dr. de Villiers was simply reassigned and allowed to continue to work and receive pay,” Milobar said.

“Why does the Ministry of Health continue to foster a toxic healthcare workplace by muzzling and suspended frontline doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals while protecting employment of administration accused and then convicted of something as egregious as sexual assault of children?”

Health Minister Dix called the comparison “disgraceful.”

“Dr. de Villiers rightfully is gone, as he should be,” Dix said. “As noted, people do have the right, will always have the right to speak out in our democracy, and that right has been assured by legislative action of this chamber, and they will continue to do so in our province as they should.

“The member [Milobar] is just wrong, he's just wrong as to the facts. To make such serious allegations when you're wrong speaks to the Opposition and not the government.”

De Villiers remains out of custody as he awaits sentencing on his conviction.