Former advisor accused in sexual harassment case against premier’s office received nearly $28K in expenses post-departure
Ivan Bernardo left his position as principal advisor to then Health Minister Tyler Shandro nearly a year ago after allegations of sexual harassment in the workplace against female political staffers emerged.
Now, provincial government expense reports from between April 1 and Sept. 30 of this year show he received $28,130.77 following his departure.
Health Minister Jason Copping, when questioned by the NDP in the legislature Tuesday over the payment to Bernardo, said it was for consultancy work.
"Mr. Bernardo was doing work for AHS (Alberta Health Services) and the AHS board. I was informed he was no longer doing work at this point in time, recognizing he was doing work for Miller-Thompson which is an outside law firm providing advice to AH (Alberta Health) and AHS. He is no longer doing work for AH and AHS at this point in time.
"Any arrangements between AHS board and AHS and the individual and his law firm is in between the individual and AH, AHS and I can’t comment on any payments in that regard.
Miller-Thompson LLP, where Bernardo worked, confirms to CTV News that Bernardo is no longer with the firm.
According to Bernardo, the payment revolves around expense claims from his time as an advisor to Shandro.
"It wasn’t work that I did, it was the last of the expenses from when I was employed with the government," explained Bernardo. "It was all related to when I was principal advisor to the minister."
Premier Kenney addressed the payment to Bernardo Wednesday morning during an announcement regarding plans to create COVID-19 vaccinations in the province.
"My understanding is that was over two years travel expenses around the province and it was all approved by the public service to the normal guidelines," said Kenney. "He hadn't submitted travel expenses for a two-year period and, I would just note, expenses for staff of ministerial offices are down substantially under this government. They're down about 25 per cent overall."
Kathryn Marshall, the lawyer for Ariella Kimmel who filed the lawsuit, elected not to issue comment regarding the province's payment to Bernardo.
With files from CTV's Tyson Fedor
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.