New Brunswick’s top doctor faced questions Thursday about her role in the province’s COVID-19 response.
Dr. Jennifer Russell, the chief medical officer of health, appeared before the legislature’s public accounts committee.
For nearly two hours, Russell faced a series of questions from members, which included MLAs from all three parties.
Liberal MLA Rob McKee asked Russell about a September report from the auditor general which showed her “at the very bottom of the decision-making hierarchy,”
The top doctor said the visual was “not completely accurate” as she was directly involved in the decision-making process throughout COVID.
Russell said she was a member of COVID cabinet — an all-party cabinet committee — and was present at cabinet meetings.
“My job, as a civil servant, is to give advice to the government, and I feel that I had ample opportunity to provide that advice, not only the advice and recommendations but also the pros and cons,” she said.
When asked by Green MLA Megan Mitton if she ever felt the government made decisions that contradicted evidence she provided them, Russell replied, “No.”
The top doctor also said she “absolutely” feels like she has an unfettered ability to talk directly to New Brunswickers without any consequences or reprisal.
“I don’t feel there’s anything I’m unable to share,” said Russell.
Russell also faced questions about the lack of updates from Public Health since COVID-19 measures were lifted.
The chief medical officer of health said she thinks they have continued to share information as needed.
“If it was necessary for Public Health to speak, I would say that, whether it was myself or one of my colleagues, that we would have done that at the appropriate time,” she said.
“I think that we’re in keeping with the other provinces across the country in that as well.”
However, other Canadian health officials have recently held news conferences about COVID, including Dr. Robert Strang in Nova Scotia and Dr. Theresa Tam at the national level.
“The voice of Public Health has to be managed in terms of we need to make sure that it’s at the same level that’s appropriate for whatever risk we deem,” said Russell.
“You can’t elevate the risk of something in terms of speaking about something in a way that then detracts from something that might be more serious in the future.”
Members of the Executive Council Office previously appeared before the committee to answer questions about the report.
Committee members voted to have Russell appear as well after being “unsatisfied” with the responses they received from senior government staff.
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