MLA could face fine, reprimand over ‘campaign’ to fire nurse

Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon acted inappropriately in orchestrating a “campaign” to remove a Fort Resolution nurse from her position, the NWT’s integrity commissioner says.

In a report published by the legislature on Thursday, commissioner David Phillip Jones KC found Edjericon had violated the code of conduct for MLAs when he publicly criticized nursing staff at the community’s health centre and lobbied behind the scenes for the nurse-in-charge to be removed.

“Mr Edjericon’s actions in this matter were not acceptable and do not stand up to the closest public scrutiny,” Jones wrote.

Jones said an external investigation into allegations about the nurse-in-charge – including racism, rude and disrespectful behaviour, and putting community members at risk – concluded all of them were unsubstantiated.

Jones is recommending that MLAs collectively fine Edjericon $2,500 and formally reprimand him.

It will be up to MLAs to decide what to do when they reconvene in the coming weeks. The next sitting of the Legislative Assembly is scheduled to begin on October 17.

Cabin Radio could not immediately reach Edjericon by phone following the report’s publication. He has been approached for comment.

“The lesson to be taken from this unfortunate situation is that there are limits on what a member may do, and how they may go about what they do,” Jones wrote as he concluded his report.

“Being a member is not carte blanche to make or repeat unverified and unfounded allegations. Members have an obligation to inform themselves about the facts. It is inappropriate for a member to orchestrate a campaign for an employee of a public body to be transferred, suspended or terminated.”

What led to the complaint?

The former nurse-in-charge at Fort Resolution’s health centre lodged a complaint against Edjericon with the integrity commissioner in July 2023.

She alleged that since Edjericon had taken office following a by-election in 2022, he had “waged a continuous campaign of harassment” focused on her and based on what she called “misinformation and a false narrative” about her role in community health matters.

She asked for the complaint to be addressed at an inquiry before a sole adjudicator.

In April 2022, Edjericon took an NNSL reporter to Fort Resolution to hear residents’ concerns about healthcare. The newspaper published a range of allegations including incompetence, a lack of professionalism and systemic racism. Edjericon was quoted as saying that healthcare staff in the community “don’t take their job seriously.”

The mayor of Fort Resolution, president of the Fort Resolution Métis Council and Edjericon subsequently sent letters to the territorial health authority between October and November 2022. They called for the nurse-in-charge to be disciplined and transferred out of the community, alleging unprofessional and unethical conduct.

The nurse-in-charge was placed on leave in December 2022 pending an external investigation into nine specific allegations.

Soon afterward, despite the confidential nature of the investigation, a text message was sent to community members in Fort Resolution informing them the nurse had been “released from her duties” and was under investigation. The message also expressed hope that a community nurse would take over the nurse-in-charge role in January.

Investigators found in February 2023 that none of the allegations against the woman were substantiated.

They also found evidence that suggested Edjericon had written the letters attributed to the mayor and president of the Métis council. Investigators further said Edjericon was “not credible” in denying involvement in the text message sent to community members.

Campaign had ‘significant impacts,’ nurse claims

The woman was reinstated as the nurse-in-charge in Fort Liard but went on medical leave. She no longer lives in the NWT.

She claimed Edjericon’s actions resulted in a “campaign of hate” toward her and other nursing staff in Fort Resolution, including threats of physical violence.

“This has significantly impacted my physical, mental and financial well being,” she wrote.

“As someone who dedicated her whole career to providing professional, competent and compassionate care, having my reputation smeared in this manner is simply devastating.”

The nurse said Edjericon had never met her or visited Fort Resolution’s health centre, and declined an invitation to tour the centre.

She said following publication of allegations against nursing staff, potential nursing hires pulled out of working in the community. She also claimed patient care in multiple communities was put at risk as the health centre was left short-staffed over the holiday season while she was placed on leave.

Edjericon’s response

Edjericon, through legal counsel, argued that the complaint against him should be dismissed. He argued he was acting in the interest of his constituents and believed it was a life-and-death situation.

He denied launching a campaign to remove the nurse-in-charge and said he was not targeting her personally. He said it was due to her leadership role at the health centre that she bore the brunt of complaints.

Edjericon said he did not agree with the outcome of the external investigation and questioned its impartiality. The investigation report stated he had also claimed the investigators were racist.

Jones determined that Edjericon “had an agenda” to remove the nurse-in-charge, his actions were inappropriate, and they constituted harassment. He added that Edjericon’s allegations were “made without verification or regard to the truth.”

Balance needed, commissioner says

Jones stressed the need for MLAs to balance advocating for their constituents with doing so in a way that does not breach their code of conduct.

“In my view, a member needs to be very careful to verify allegations being made by a constituent against someone – particularly a professional person, whose livelihood depends on their representation,” Jones wrote.

“A member blindly or willfully repeating unsubstantiated allegations (particularly on Legislative Assembly stationery) undermines the member’s integrity and credibility as well as that of the assembly as a whole.”

Jones said he believed the complaint against Edjericon did not need to be sent to an inquiry and instead recommended a reprimand and fine on the lower end of the scale.

He said suspending or vacating Edjericon’s seat would be inappropriate as the MLA “undoubtedly (but wrongly)” believed he had the authority to make the allegations and take the actions he did.

Jones said, however, that more than a reprimand is needed “given the intentional nature” of Edjericon’s actions.