CALGARY (660 NEWS) – A social media firestorm is brewing over Alberta’s Health Minister.
Prominent Calgary doctor Mukarram Zaidi says minister Tyler Shandro came to his house to talk to him despite social distancing requirements.
Mukarram said Shandro yelled at him outside his home Saturday about a post the doctor made on Facebook.
“He was upset, he was angry, he was saying we are getting death threats,” said Mukarram. “(Shandro said), We have children, people know where we live, we have to move now. We are both yelling and it’s out loud in my neighbourhood.”
The post made reference to an alleged conflict of interest by Shandro, who is part-owner of a supplementary health benefits company called Vital Partners
Zaidi says the post has since been taken down.
That hasn’t stopped many from expressing their frustration over the event on social media with some for Shandro to resign.
@shandro must resign #shandemic https://t.co/jWRZec2Tfh
— Laurianne ???????? (@Laurie1122) March 27, 2020
You are right, actions do speak for themselves. Your recent actions are deeply concerning. They are questionable, unethical, and over the line. These actions, and some of your behaviour from the past year, shows an inability to lead. Tyler, I'm really disappointed in you. (3/3)
— Andrew Phung (@andrewphung) March 27, 2020
What I will never understand is, having owned a private health insurance co. and accepting the appointment as MoH, that @shandro is surprised questions of a conflict would be asked. It’s truly inconceivable.
— Les Butler (@ButlerLes) March 27, 2020
The United Conservative Party (UCP) released a letter from the Ethics Commissioner last week saying Shandro is in compliance with the Conflicts of Interest Act because he is not a director of Vital Partners and has transferred his shares to a blind trust.
We have reached out to the office of the Health Minister for comment.
