The statement of claim, filed on October 20, states that Dr. Stephen Archer, Strauss’ immediate supervisor and head of the department of medicine at Queen’s in Kingston, Ont., has repeatedly rebuked Strauss for his public criticism of public health measures for COVID-19, including lockdowns. None of the allegations have been proven in court and no statement of defense has been filed. Queen’s University told CBC Hamilton it could not comment on the case, and Archer did not respond to requests for comment. Strauss declined to speak on the record about the statement of claim. Strauss, the acting medical officer of health for Haldimand and Norfolk counties, has faced criticism for his public comments in the past. He previously he said on social media would earlier give the children of COVID-19 for a happy meal, and when he was initially commissioned as acting chief of health in September 2021, the Ontario Liberals called about the health minister vetoing his hiring. Earlier this year, he wrote an op-ed to explain his criticism masking and vaccine mandates.
“Be a doctor not a journalist”
Strauss worked at Queen’s as an assistant professor of medicine from July 2019 to November 2021. He also held privileges as a general internal medicine physician and intensive care unit (ICU) specialist at Kingston General Hospital, according to the statement of claim. He previously worked as an assistant clinical professor at McMaster University in Hamilton and as the medical director of critical care at Guelph General Hospital. Steve Archer is head of medicine at Queen’s University. (Steve Archer/Twitter) The claim says Archer criticized Strauss between August and October 2020 for what Strauss said on social media and in news articles. “The tone and content of Dr. Archer caused Dr. Strauss to become agitated and anxious,” the claim states. Strauss went on leave from his doctoral program in October, according to the claim, but it is unclear when he returned. He faced more criticism between December and February, according to the claim. “Your professed love of freedom of expression is more self-centered than in service to our patients or trainees,” reads an email from Archer to Strauss and five others on Dec. 23, 2020, according to the statement of claim. “They hired you to be a doctor, not a journalist.” The claim says that despite the criticism, Strauss had a “completely positive” annual performance review in March 2021. About a month later, Archer and others at Queen’s sent a letter on April 22, 2021, saying Strauss’ public comments are “dangerous and misleading” and his behavior “threatens to put patients at risk.” He also said it “irresponsibly” encourages people to violate public health measures, while also “sowing distrust of public health institutions”.
Strauss endured ‘considerable stress’
“Dr. Archer further threatened Dr. Strauss, noting that his medical license could be jeopardized and his hospital privileges revoked if he continued to speak out on matters of significant public interest related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the positions of lockdowns and other restrictions.” The claim states that when Strauss suggested that the university was not acting in good faith toward him, Archer told Strauss that his contract would not be renewed, leaving Strauss with no choice but to leave the institution. Queen’s University is located in Kingston, Ont. (Frédéric Pepin/CBC) Strauss’ claim says the defamatory comments damaged his relationships, his employment prospects and his ability to earn more money. He said it also caused him “significant stress, anxiety, emotional pain and suffering”. Strauss resigned from the university on Nov. 19, 2021, despite the fact that his contract was not scheduled to expire until June 30, 2022, according to the claim. Along with asking for at least $600,000 — which includes a mix of general, moral and punitive damages — the claim seeks lost wages and benefits from Queen’s. The claim also asks the defendants to remove any defamatory words about Strauss from all media under their control and not to publish any more defamatory words about him.
