Cross-examination continues in Sauvageau wrongful dismissal trial


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Cross-examination Wednesday in the wrongful dismissal trial of a former Alberta chief medical examiner focused on contracts and the independence of her office.

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In July 2014, Dr. Anny Sauvageau requested a letter of extension for her employment contract as chief medical examiner, which was set to expire Jan. 1, 2015.

Alberta government lawyer Craig Neuman asked Sauvageau whether during the time of her asking for a contract extension there was a “serious conflict” going on between assistant deputy minister Maryann Everett and deputy minister Tim Grant predominately over Sauvageau’s independence.

“There was never any personal animosity between Maryann Everett and me, at least that’s my view,” Sauvageau said. “The issue was always about the roles, clarity on roles and clarity on the status of independence.”

She added she didn’t believe there was a conflict between her and Grant.

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Sauvageau, Alberta’s top forensic pathologist from 2011 to 2014, is suing the Government of Alberta for $7.5 million, claiming her contract was not renewed because she stood up to political interference in her office.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

On Aug. 25, 2014, Sauvageau followed up on her request for a letter of extension. That same day, Sauvageau said she received a letter from Grant stating that a “letter of expectations” she was given by Everett in July would continue to be in effect.

Then on Aug. 29, Sauvageau had a meeting with Everett and a representative from human resources, a meeting that had been arranged as a follow-up to Sauvageau’s receipt of the “letter of expectations” in July.

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One of the topics that came up at the meeting was Sauvageau’s letter of extension. Neuman asked if she had been told by Everett that she would not make a decision “recommending or proposing” the letter of extension.

“She said she was not ready to extend it on that date,” Sauvageau said, adding it was her understanding there were issues from the letter of expectations that were still not addressed.

Neuman produced an email from Everett summarizing the meeting. He said the indication from the email is Everett was not prepared to make decisions due to “performance issues.”

“Do you recall that being what you were told at the meeting?” I asked Sauvageau.

“Right,” she said.

On Sept. 26, 2014, Sauvageau was notified her contract would not be renewed.

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In the afternoon, Neuman questioned Sauvageau over legal opinion she received about the independence of the office of the chief medical examiner.

According to Neuman, it stated that medical examiners needed independence from prosecution and police services, which does not translate to more extensive or general independence from government. Neuman asked Sauvageau if she understood the concept of arm’s length or independence was more limited than what she had been suggesting.

Sauvageau stressed she was being told verbally and in writing her office was not independent or at arm’s length, “period.”

“It was period, in that I was not independent, period,” she said. “There was an obvious discrepancy between what the public was being told and what I was being told.”

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