http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Sherman+claims+Stelmach+tried+take+medical+licence/3890410/story.html
MLA Raj Sherman accuses Premier Ed Stelmach of trying to take his medical licence
By Renata D'Aliesio, Calgary Herald November 27, 2010
EDMONTON – Edmonton MLA Raj Sherman, punted from Tory caucus Monday, accused Premier Ed Stelmach today of trying to take away his medical licence, an allegation refuted by the premier.
Speaking on a radio show, Sherman, now sitting as an independent member of the legislature, alleged some Tory caucus members have questioned his mental stability. He noted he received a call Thursday from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta advising him someone phoned the organization and suggested his mental ability to function as a doctor has been compromised.
Sherman, elected in March 2008, still works part time as an emergency care doctor in Edmonton. He was suspended indefinitely from Tory caucus earlier this week after he assailed the premier, cabinet, and Alberta Health Services over their handling of health care.
Sherman said his medical licence could be taken away if he doesn't submit to a mental assessment.
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta would not confirm whether a complaint against Sherman has been made, citing legislation that mandates confidentiality.
After talking about the complaint against him to the physicians college, Sherman launched into accusations against the premier, Children and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz, and Tory caucus whip Robin Campbell.
"I was told that the premier is going after my medical licence," Sherman said on the radio.
"Now I'm going to break caucus confidentiality here. That's exactly what the premier said on the day they decided to throw me out."
Stelmach said the allegation is false.
"That simply is not true. I don't have the authority to do that," the premier said. "I can't even take someone's driver's licence away, so it's not true."
The premier also shot down suggestions that Tory MLAs are engaged in a smear campaign against Sherman.
"It's not true. I know that our members reached out to him and have offered support. We've all chatted with him and spent some time with him," Stelmach said.
On Thursday, Sherman alleged members of the Conservative caucus have participated in a weeks-long "whisper campaign" to discredit him by questioning his mental stability.
The issue is expected to come up in the legislature Monday, when NDP Leader Brian Mason said he will raise a "point of privilege" that targets Tory MLA Fred Horne as one of those working against Sherman.
Horne, who was named the government's new parliamentary assistant for health after Sherman was dismissed from the Tory caucus this week, was accused of telling Dr. Patrick White, president of the Alberta Medical Association, that Sherman was "manic."
Horne acknowledged on Thursday calling White out of concern for Sherman, but denied trying to smear him. Horne added that he and Sherman have been friends for a long time, before they both entered politics in 2008.
Today, White exonerated Horne in a letter to members of the Alberta Medical Association. White said he, Horne and Sherman have been friends for several years.
"In short, yesterday’s events were driven by friendship: by friends doing what they thought was best for a friend," White wrote. "Yesterday I received a telephone call from Mr. Horne, who expressed concerns about Dr. Sherman’s well-being.
"Based on my conversation with Mr. Horne, I telephoned three emergency physicians whom I know to be not only colleagues but also friends of Dr. Sherman, and I asked them if they could look out for him."
White told the Herald that Horne never used the word manic. White said he used that word when he phoned three emergency physicians, asking them to look after Sherman. However, he added that he was making an assumption and has no medical opinion of Sherman's mental state.
"I have seen no evidence and have no belief that this was part of a (whisper) campaign whatsoever," White said.
Sherman, though, unleashed more accusations today, alleging on the radio that Fritz, the children and youth minister, questioned his mental stability to his face during a caucus meeting. He alleged that she said, "Raj, you need to be taken to emergency and you need to see a psychiatrist to be locked up."
He then accused Tory caucus whip Robin Campbell of calling him a cancer. Sherman said Campbell told him, "Raj, you're a doctor. You know what we do with cancers. We cut them out."
Cam Hantiuk, a spokesman for the premier, noted Fritz is gentle, soft-spoken, and doesn't have a mean streak in her.
"We've heard Dr. Sherman make a number of allegations that he's admitted are second- and third-hand information," Hantiuk said. "It's my position that they should be substantiated."
Horne is expected to address the media later today.
With files from the Edmonton Journal
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