Achi news desk-
The New Brunswick government said Monday it would no longer seek an appeal for compensation and damages awarded to former Horizon Health CEO Dr. John Dornan, who was sacked almost two years ago by Premier Blaine Higgs.
“The State of New Brunswick and Dr. John Dornan has reached a mutually satisfactory decision in relation to the termination of Dr. Dornan as CEO of Horizon Health Network,” Health Minister Bruce Fitch said in a written statement. “As such, the Province of New Brunswick has withdrawn its appeal, which was scheduled to be heard on April 19.”
Details of the settlement were not immediately available Monday.
Dornan was removed from the role of president and CEO of Horizon in July 2022 by Premier Higgs, following the death of a man inside the emergency department waiting room at Fredericton’s Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital.
At that time, Premier Higgs also removed Dorothy Shepherd from the role of health minister, and revoked the elected boards of Horizon and Vitalité.
Last Tuesday, a coroner’s inquest investigating the death of Darrell Mesheau on July 12, 2022 resulted in three recommendations.
In February 2023, a labor arbitrator awarded $2 million in damages and compensation related to the firing, which included salary, pension and health benefits. The adjudicator’s decision was upheld by a judge after the province sought a judicial review, which then led to the province filing an appeal.
Last Thursday, Dornan announced his intention to pursue the Liberal nomination for Portland-Simonds. The party’s nomination meeting is scheduled for May 8.
