REGINA – The regulatory body that licenses nurses in the province wants to punish registered nurse Leah McInnes for her dissenting views against vaccine mandates and participating in a peaceful protest. If found guilty, the College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS) could suspend or pull her nursing license.
A four-day disciplinary tribunal by the CRNS started in Regina Oct. 10. CRNS accuses McInnes of professional misconduct for joining a peaceful protest in September 2021 and expressing her opinion against vaccine mandates and passports on social media.
Constitutional lawyer John Carpay from Alberta, said he sees similarities between McInnes’ case and another one a few years ago involving Saskatchewan registered nurse Carolyn Strom who had voiced concerns about health care on social media.
In 2020, in the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal’s decision in Strom v. Saskatchewan Registered Nurses’ Association, the court overturned a discipline committee’s finding of professional misconduct against Carolyn Strom, a registered nurse from Prince Albert. She had made social media posts criticizing a long-term care facility for its treatment of her grandfather, now deceased.
"Such criticism, even by those delivering those services, does not necessarily undermine public confidence in healthcare workers or the healthcare system,” wrote Saskatchewan’s highest court in its decision three years ago.
On the contrary, criticism can in fact enhance confidence by showing that those with the most knowledge within the health-care system – and who have the ability to effect change – are both prepared and permitted to speak and pursue positive change, said the court, adding, “Such is the messy business of democracy."
In light of the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal’s decision in Strom v. Saskatchewan Registered Nurses’ Association, Carpay finds CRNS' actions against McInnes disturbing.
"It is troubling that this College is trying to silence and punish Ms. McInnes after the ground-breaking decision of the Court of Appeal in Strom."
During the four-day hearing, the CRNS has obtained an expert opinion and McInnes is submitting two expert opinions in support of her expression, said Carpay.
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