Alberta ER doctors back BC colleague’s lawsuit against Fraser Health over unsafe conditions

The Alberta Medical Association’s Section of Emergency Medicine represents over 600 emergency physicians working in communities and hospitals across Alberta. We are writing to express our solidarity with Dr. Kaitlin Stockton, an emergency physician in British Columbia, and to raise awareness about the silencing and intimidation of physicians who advocate for patient safety
and system reform.

Article content

Dr. Stockton has initiated legal action related to her dismissal following her efforts to raise the alarm about unsafe conditions in her BC emergency department (CBC article). While we will not comment on the specifics of her case, what is deeply troubling – and unfortunately familiar to physicians in Alberta – is the reported pattern of administrative retaliation against a physician who
acted in the best interests of their patients and their profession.

Article content

Recommended Videos

Article content

As emergency physicians, we are obligated – ethically and professionally – to advocate for the safety and dignity of our patients. Across Canada, including here in Alberta, we are witnessing an ongoing crisis in access to emergency care: severe hospital overcrowding, persistent access block for all types of health care, staff shortages, and collapsing morale due to unsafe working conditions. These conditions are putting our patients’ lives at risk and are morally indefensible.

Article content

What is even more concerning is the culture of fear that is developing around speaking out. Physicians who identify safety risks or systemic breakdowns are increasingly met with silence, hostility, or professional consequences. We have heard from our own members who feel pressure to remain quiet in the face of dangerous situations – not because they don’t care, but because they fear being disciplined, threatened, or discredited. Other physicians are muzzled with contracts containing non-disclosure clauses, effectively burying the truth forever.

The Section of Emergency Medicine of the AMA unequivocally affirms the autonomy of all physicians and defends their right – and professional duty – to speak out publicly for patient safety and system improvement. We support all physicians who speak truthfully about the conditions in which they work and call on all health authorities across the country to foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and mutual respect for professional advocacy.

Health care’s systemic problems are not isolated to one province. Every Canadian should join us in condemning the silencing and punishment of health care professionals who are doing what is right. This is a national issue, and it demands a national response.

Dr. Warren Thirsk,
President, Section of Emergency Medicine, AMA

Article content