Former Alberta chief medical examiner Dr. Anny Sauvageau did not receive any money in exchange for settling her wrongful dismissal lawsuit against Alberta Justice and Solicitor General. .“Dr. Sauvageau and the Government of Alberta have agreed to a resolution of her legal action arising from her former employment with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Alberta,” said Alberta Justice and Solicitor General communications advisor Katherine Thompson in a Thursday statement. .“Dr. Sauvageau has discontinued her action on a without costs basis.”.Thompson said the Alberta government consented to the discontinuance. The government did not pay any money or provide any benefits to her. .There were no other terms to the resolution the parties reached, and they agreed there will not be any further comments about the matter. .Sauvageau was set to appear at the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta on Friday for closing arguments in her lawsuit. .Sauvageau’s lawyer said the case was settled about one week ago. .She worked as Alberta’s chief medical examiner and top forensic pathologist from 2011 to 2014. She alleged she was denied a contract renewal because she protested political interference in her office..Sauvageau said Alberta Justice and Solicitor General staff were influenced by an Alberta Funeral Service Association campaign against new body transport contracts she hoped to establish. She accused the Alberta government of hesitating when she tried to obtain assurances regarding her office’s independence when investigating deaths of children in provincial care. .The Alberta government argued she was a poor manager and combative employee who demanded more independence. .Her trial began in April. The trial was supposed to run for 38 days, but faced multiple delays. .One of the delays was over Calgary lawyer and former Alberta Justice Minister Jonathan Denis sending a letter to her lawyer Allan Garber saying she defamed him. .Court of King’s Bench Justice Doreen Sulyma found Denis in contempt of court for sending the letter while the trial was ongoing in April. .READ MORE: Former justice minister Denis found in contempt of court, plans to appeal.Denis said he planned to file an appeal. .The letter complained of a continuing campaign of defamation by Sauvageau against him, threatening a possible lawsuit against her..Denis's bid to overturn his contempt of court conviction failed in May. .READ MORE: Former justice minister fails to overturn contempt of court conviction.Alberta Court of Appeal Justice Ritu Khullar declined to stay the conviction and denied a request for an expedited appeal..“If the appeal is ultimately successful, and this court quashes the finding of contempt, Mr. Denis has not shown why that would not repair any damage to his reputation,” said Khullar. .Guardian Law Group said the lawyer’s appeal will be heard October 31. The law firm said no sanctions for the conviction have been imposed. .“Denis looks forward to having his appeal heard and adjudicated,” said Guardian Law Group.
