Regulator cancels medical licence of former Ste. Anne MD who sexually assaulted patients

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This article was published 17/01/2024 (598 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba’s physician watchdog has cancelled the medical licence of a doctor who sexually abused his patients.

In a statement posted on the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba’s website Wednesday, the college states its executive committee has pulled the licence of Arcel Bissonnette, a now-former Ste. Anne physician.

In November, a judge convicted Bissonnette of sexually assaulting five women who were his patients. The offences took place between 2001 and 2017.

“Dr. Bissonnette’s actions are disgraceful and dishonourable and revoking his licence is unquestionably necessary to protect the public,” Dr. Anna Ziomek, the college registrar, said in a statement Wednesday.

“Sexual assault is unacceptable in any environment but is particularly disturbing when it is committed by medical professionals who are highly trusted by their patients,” Ziomek said. “Abusing this position of power to exploit patients physically, sexually, or otherwise goes against the code of ethics and professionalism and undermines practitioners who consistently deliver safe and ethical care.”

The college announced its intention to revoke Bissonnette’s licence the day he was convicted.

The licence cancellation hearing was held virtually Wednesday morning, behind closed doors — a step the college said was in line with existing legislation and its own practice direction. The college did, however, invite women who testified or filed complaints against Bissonnette to attend, but required their agreement to conditions that included not sharing the invitation link without permission and not recording anything.

It’s not known what was discussed at the hearing.

Critics and victims have long demanded more transparency from the college, with calls growing in the wake of its handling of allegations against Bissonnette. A months-long 2022 Free Press investigation into the physician watchdog’s handling of doctor misconduct revealed the self-regulating college — doctors overseeing doctors — is overly secretive and protective of its own, putting physicians’ interests ahead of patients’ safety.

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One woman told the Free Press she complained to the college in 2018, reporting that Bissonnette sexually abused her years earlier. The college put conditions on his licence, including requiring him to have a chaperone present when conducting breast and pelvic exams on female patients, but allowed him to keep practising. It also ceased investigating the matter after learning police were involved. It was only when Ste. Anne police laid charges two years later, in November 2020, that Bissonnette voluntarily agreed to not practise medicine. Bail conditions also prevented him from practising.

Last week, Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced the government is “open” to improving transparency through legislation.

Ziomek, in her statement about Bissonnette’s licence cancellation, acknowledged the bravery of the women who testified against him and said the college will “continue to hold accountable registrants involved in sexual misconduct.”

“Public trust in CPSM’s process to regulate the medical profession is paramount,” she said.

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The Free Press asked the college last month if it has taken any action in the wake of the Bissonnette case, such as internal reviews of the college’s handling of this case or others. The college did not respond to the question.

The Regulated Health Professions Act, which governs the physician watchdog, allows the registrar to cancel a member’s certificate of practice — their medical licence — if they are convicted of an offence relevant to their “suitability to practise.” The college must first notify the physician and give them an opportunity to make submissions.

Bissonnette remains out on bail. He is scheduled for sentencing on June 27.

He faces another trial involving 10 counts of sexual assault next month.

A previous trial held in late 2022 involving six counts of sexual assault resulted in all charges being stayed after prosecutors said late disclosure left them with no reasonable likelihood of a conviction. The alleged victims in that trial have since filed a civil lawsuit against Bissonnette.

katrina.clarke@freepress.mb.ca

Katrina Clarke
Investigative reporter

Katrina Clarke is an investigative reporter at the Winnipeg Free Press. Katrina holds a bachelor’s degree in politics from Queen’s University and a master’s degree in journalism from Western University. She has worked at newspapers across Canada, including the National Post and the Toronto Star. She joined the Free Press in 2022. Read more about Katrina.

Every piece of reporting Katrina produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.