B.C. appoints former Supreme Court judge to oversee health firing payments
VICTORIA — A retired Supreme Court of Canada judge will oversee financial payments to those harmed when the British Columbia government fired eight workers, including one man who later took his life.
The government said Friday it appointed Thomas Cromwell to administer a reparation process that includes goodwill payments recommended in a report released Thursday by British Columbia’s ombudsman Jay Chalke.
Kim Henderson, who heads the provincial public service and is Premier Christy Clark’s deputy minister, said Cromwell will also consider further payments beyond those outlined in Chalke’s report.
“Mr. Cromwell is being asked for advice on whether additional reparations to others harmed by these actions could be appropriate,” Henderson said in a statement. “Further, he is being asked to facilitate a settlement process to allow prompt justice for any person who may have legal claims against the government arising from the matters detailed the report.”