Fired B.C. health researchers pen letter demanding inquiry

Seven health researchers fired by the B.C. government, and the sister of an eighth who killed himself after he was fired, have banded together to demand a public inquiry into the case.

The group has written an open letter to Health Minister Terry Lake demanding an inquiry into what happened. It's believed to be the first joint statement by the researchers since their termination in 2012.

The letter comes as calls to hold an inquiry into the incident continue to grow, but the government has repeatedly rejected the idea, citing both the cost of such an undertaking and privacy concerns.

The letter outlines the researchers' demand for an independent inquiry, laying out a mandate, a budget and calling for subpoena powers.

"The inquiry should seek to understand, and to remedy, how a painstakingly built program to bring evidence to prescribing could be undone so quickly and, based on the government's own public statements, mistakenly," said the letter.

"It should recommend how to restore public confidence that the government is fully engaged in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of prescription medicines."

"We believe that the strength of democracy depends on unbiased evidence, which depends upon independent inquiry. We call on the Minister to commission a thorough and independent inquiry. "

Alleged breach of data led to firings

Back in September of 2012, the government fired the eight staffers, citing an alleged breach in the handling of confidential public health data.

One of those terminated, University of Victoria PhD candidate Roderick MacIsaac, committed suicide three months later.

• TIMELINE | B.C. heath researchers fired

MacIsaac's sister, Linda Kayfish, was one of those who signed today's letter.

"All I'm prepared to say is that the letter speaks for itself and was signed by everyone indicated."

Several lawsuits were filed by the researchers against the government and the RCMP conducted its own investigation into possible criminal wrongdoing.

But documents later revealed police were never given evidence by the government to investigate the wrongdoing which was used to justify the firings, despite the government telling the public an investigation was ongoing.

Since then, the government has backtracked from the firings apologized, saying they were heavy-handed.

DOCUMENT | Read the letter from the researchers