Edmonton pathologist sanctioned for COVID-19 comments, ordered to take course

Advertisement

Advertise with us

EDMONTON - The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta has sanctioned an Edmonton pathologist for comments and public statements he made during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/03/2025 (531 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

EDMONTON – The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta has sanctioned an Edmonton pathologist for comments and public statements he made during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It says Dr. Roger Hodkinson repeatedly made claims in 2020 and 2021 about public health measures that were outside of his professional scope and contrary to known medical expertise.

Hodkinson phoned into an Edmonton city council meeting in November 2020, when officials were discussing a possible extension to masking rules.

People line up outside an immunization clinic to get their Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Edmonton, Tuesday, April 20, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
People line up outside an immunization clinic to get their Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in Edmonton, Tuesday, April 20, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

He said masks were ineffective and COVID-19 was “the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on an unsuspecting public.”

The college says Hodkinson agreed at a hearing last year that his actions ran counter to its code of ethics and professionalism.

Hodkinson has been ordered to take a course on influence and advocacy and pay $5,000 to cover hearing costs.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2025.

Report Error Submit a Tip

More Stories

Winkler-based internet provider delivering high-speed service to 30 rural and First Nations Manitoba communities

Nicole Buffie 3 minute read Preview

Winkler-based internet provider delivering high-speed service to 30 rural and First Nations Manitoba communities

Nicole Buffie 3 minute read 7:12 PM CDT

Valley Fiber says it is undertaking one of its largest fibre optic projects and is building infrastructure that will deliver internet to 10,000 homes and businesses in rural and First Nations communities across Manitoba.

“These communities will now have access to the fastest internet network in Manitoba, and it will power their lives and their business,” Ryan Klassen, chief executive officer of the Winkler-based internet provider, said Tuesday from Fisher River Cree Nation.

The province has granted Valley Fiber use of two of its underused cables on the existing Manitoba Hydro fibre optic network for up to 20 years as part of the project, which will connect nearly 30 communities — including Buffalo Point, Hollow Water, Black River and Peguis First Nations, along with Fisher River and Fox Lake Cree Nations — to high-speed internet.

Construction should be finished by 2027.

Read
7:12 PM CDT

Slow start but gritty play not enough in Bombers OT loss to Roughriders in Labour Day Classic

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Slow start but gritty play not enough in Bombers OT loss to Roughriders in Labour Day Classic

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Sunday, Sep. 6, 2026

REGINA – Leave it to Brady Oliveira to succinctly describe that fine line between jubilation and the alternate.

In the aftermath of another Labour Day Classic that went down to the wire, Oliveira went through the joy of tying the game with no time left on the clock to the empty feeling that came moments later when the Saskatchewan Roughriders finished off a 32-26 victory on Sunday night before a raucous crowd of 34,352 at Mosaic Stadium.

“It’s terrible,” said Oliveira. “You just kind of feel all of the emotions. I’m pretty pissed right now. We were close, we were right there. We didn’t play our best football and we still gave ourselves a chance, which could be a silver lining.

“I don’t like to look at silver linings because the fact of the matter is we play this game to get positive results. We want to win the game and we didn’t win the game. So, I’m pissed.”

Read
Sunday, Sep. 6, 2026

Manitoba doctor denies working to revive Carberry ER in response to recruitment lawsuit

Erik Pindera 4 minute read Preview

Manitoba doctor denies working to revive Carberry ER in response to recruitment lawsuit

Erik Pindera 4 minute read Sunday, Sep. 6, 2026

A Manitoba doctor has denied he was working as a recruiter after an Ontario doctor accused him of misleading him about a position at the Carberry hospital.

Dr. Klevis Iliriani, who worked at the hospital in Carberry from May to August 2024, filed his statement of claim in Court of King’s Bench earlier this year.

Iliriani, who lives in an Ottawa suburb, has alleged recruiters negligently misrepresented the job at the Carberry hospital and breached the terms of his contract, which resulted in less pay than promised.

His court filing names defendants Dr. Dave Maharajh and Barry Banek as the recruiters.

Read
Sunday, Sep. 6, 2026

A man and woman were airlifted to hospital after their motorcycle hit two deer while driving on Highway 59 near Tolstoi.

Just after 8:30 p.m. on Saturday Morris RCMP, local firefighters and paramedics responded to the scene and treated the driver and and passenger, a 55-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman, both from Ile des Chenes.

The woman was in critical but stable condition at last report. The driver is in stable condition.

Edmonton pathologist sanctioned for COVID-19 comments, ordered to take course

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Edmonton pathologist sanctioned for COVID-19 comments, ordered to take course

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Mar. 27, 2025

EDMONTON - The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta has sanctioned an Edmonton pathologist for comments and public statements he made during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It says Dr. Roger Hodkinson repeatedly made claims in 2020 and 2021 about public health measures that were outside of his professional scope and contrary to known medical expertise.

Hodkinson phoned into an Edmonton city council meeting in November 2020, when officials were discussing a possible extension to masking rules.

He said masks were ineffective and COVID-19 was “the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on an unsuspecting public.”

Read
Thursday, Mar. 27, 2025

Enrolment up at alternative schools

Maggie Macintosh 5 minute read Preview

Enrolment up at alternative schools

Maggie Macintosh 5 minute read Yesterday at 10:02 AM CDT

Independent schools are preparing to welcome a record number of students as more families pay for faith-based instruction and secular alternatives.

The overwhelming majority of Manitoba children — 200,000 — are starting in the public school system this fall. Since 2000, the percentage of students enrolled elsewhere — in homeschools, funded and non-funded independent schools — has nearly doubled, to 12 per cent from seven per cent.

“If money was no object, we could fill dozens and dozens more classrooms with the demand for independent education,” said Andrew Micklefield, executive director of the Manitoba Federation of Independent Schools, who is a former Tory government house leader.

The King’s School, Dasmesh School, Springs Christian Academy, Beautiful Saviour Lutheran School, Steinbach Christian School and IQRA Islamic School have all either upscaled at some point over the last five years or are actively in the process of expanding their footprint.

Read
Yesterday at 10:02 AM CDT