Cabinet minister crossed the line: failed health board candidate
Last Updated: Saturday, November 22, 2008 | 3:58 PM ET
CBC News
The executive director of a health-care lobbying group says Alberta's health minister went too far when he revealed the director was a failed candidate for a health board position.
Ron Liepert announced in the Alberta legislature Thursday that David Eggen, executive director of Friends of Medicare, had applied for a position on the Alberta Health Services Board.
The executive director of the non-partisan lobbying group was interviewed, Liepert said, and it was determined Eggen was not among the best candidates.
"I'm concerned that the minister of health is revealing people who applied to the Health Services Board, namely me, and saying who was rejected," Eggen said.
"I think it discourages … people from applying for these government positions when you could have your name put out publicly as someone who was rejected."
Eggen said Liepert should realize he crossed the line and is demanding an apology from the cabinet minister.
"I think that it would be appropriate to apologize and to set out protocols to ensure that this doesn't happen again," he said.
Eggen had revealed his intentions in a public speech after he applied, but he said an employer has no right to reveal the name of an unsuccessful applicant to the public.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the legislature, Ken Kowalski, encouraged Liepert to review his statement to determine whether he breached any confidentiality agreements.
The 15 members of the new board were revealed earlier in the day Thursday.


