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N.S. premier faces more questions over chief of staff’s resignation

Stephen McNeil defends his campaign manager's right to lobby government

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil faced a barrage of opposition questions for a second day over the resignation of his chief of staff amid allegations of breach of privacy.

Kirby McVicar resigned Tuesday after he disclosed private health information about independent MLA Andrew Younger, arising from a conversation the pair had in February.

Younger was on a forced leave from the Liberal cabinet at the time, dealing with personal issues including a legal case involving former Liberal staffer Tara Gault, who was accused of assaulting the MLA in October 2013.

Younger failed to appear at Gault’s trial earlier this month, after being subpoenaed, and her case was dismissed.

In the conversation with McVicar, which Younger secretly recorded, the premier’s chief of staff seems to suggest the government was seeking a way to get past the legal issues and get Younger back into the fold. He also seems to suggest a contract could be secured for Younger’s wife to make up for Younger’s lost income while on leave.

Younger released the recording Monday after the Speaker of the House issued a warrant compelling him to produce it.

Commenting on the recording, McVicar said he made the job offer to help ease the stress on Younger’s family and said Younger told him he had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a brain tumour.

Younger denied he has a brain tumour, according to CBC News, but said he has been diagnosed with PTSD — something he hasn’t yet shared with everyone in his family.

He said he plans to file a formal complaint against McVicar for violating the Personal Health Information Act and the provincial Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

"Mr. Younger has said all he had to say about the matter yesterday and has moved on," constituency manager Nancy Irvine told Yahoo Canada News in an email.

The premier said last week he was confident the release of the tape would clear McVicar of any wrongdoing, but on Tuesday he accepted McVicar’s resignation.

"I now consider this matter dealt with,” McNeil said in a news release. "I plan to get back to dealing with the important issues that truly matter to Nova Scotians."

Provincial PC Leader Jamie Baillie said a “cloud of scandal” hangs over the premier’s office.

“Two matters in particular still require honesty and transparency from the Premier’s office. Questions remain about the apparent offer to secure a personal services contract for Andrew Younger’s wife and the disclosure of personal medical information about a member of the House of Assembly without his consent,” he said in a statement.

Baillie and interim NDP acting Leader Maureen MacDonald continued to pound away at the premier in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, criticizing McNeil for his handling of the matter.

“Why does he constantly put his political interest ahead of the public interest by defending behaviour that’s indefensible and inappropriate?” MacDonald asked.

Baillie asked if the RCMP has asked for any of McVicar's records and asked how much severance McVicar is expected to get.

The issue dominated the first part of question period before the House moved on to other matters.