Peter Dawe is leaving his position as executive director of the N.L. chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society. (CBC)

The outspoken director of the Newfoundland and Labrador chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society has resigned.

Peter Dawe, who is leaving the society Dec. 31, led the society as the province struggled through a cancer-care crisis that's still playing out across the country.

Botched hormone receptor tests affected thousands of breast cancer patients in the province from 1997 to 2005. Hundreds of patients learned their test results, which are used to determine cancer treatment, were inaccurate. Many saw their treatments change as a result.

The discovery led to a provincial inquiry headed by Justice Margaret Cameron and forced health officials across the country to re-examine the quality of testing they provide to cancer patients.

Testifying at the inquiry, Dawe criticized the Eastern Regional Health Authority's handling of the crisis.

"It really was a disaster for the health authority here," Dawe said. "It withheld information from individuals, it withheld information from the general public, it even kept information from the minister of health."

Dawe said he is leaving his current position to pursue different work.

The society says it is looking for a new executive director.