Northern Health responds to wrongful dismissal civil claim filed by former director [Video]

PRINCE GEORGE –Northern Health is responding to a wrongful dismissal lawsuit filed by Amy Blanding, a former Director of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Human Rights.

Blanding asserts in court filings that she was terminated in June for expressing support for Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

The case arose after Blanding, also a musician, performed a song at a community concert in Prince George. During a rehearsal, she wore a shirt showing support for Palestinian human rights. After posting the performance on social media, four residents filed a letter of complaint to Northern Health, alleging the song was pro-Hamas and anti-Semitic.

According to her claim, Northern Health demanded she post a statement online to settle the complaint. When she refused, she was demoted, going on leave, and later resigning due to “intolerable and hostile treatment” by Northern Health.

The ongoing civil lawsuit seeks compensation for constructive dismissal, defamation, breach …