Health region president says aide fired over labour probe, not for speaking out

Firing 'based on results of investigation'

SASKATOON (CP) — A care aide who raised concerns over how seniors were treated at a Saskatoon care home has been fired.

Saskatoon Health Region president Dan Florizone confirmed in a statement that Peter Bowden's employment has been terminated.

Bowden, a care aide at Oliver Lodge, was suspended with pay after telling reporters in late March that residents at the home were left in soiled diapers and bedding for up to 10 hours.

The province said Bowden was suspended because of a probe into allegations of misconduct in the workplace, not because he went public with allegations about poor working conditions.

Florizone's statement says the decision to fire Bowden was made ``based on the results of a labour relations investigation'' into allegations he violated seven of the region's policies.

It further states it wasn't because Bowden contacted media and politicians about his concerns about care at the facility.

Bowden said all but one of the written complaints were submitted after he went to the legislature to speak out.

Reporters learned of Bowden's suspension in April via an email sent by a government source.

The Saskatchewan privacy commissioner is investigating whether the province violated Bowden's privacy when it released parts of his personnel file.

Premier Brad Wall said a senior staff member who released information about the employment record to the media had a lapse in judgment.

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