Alberta doctors tell law society hearing that interactions with Tyler Shandro were intimidating

Three doctors testified Tuesday about interactions with Alberta's former health minister more than two years ago that they found troubling and intimidating. 

The Law Society of Alberta began a three-day hearing Tuesday into allegations that Tyler Shandro — Alberta's current justice minister and former health minister — broke the lawyers' code of conduct.

Three complaints against Shandro stem from his time as health minister early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Mukarram Zaidi told the hearing he had posted a photo of Shandro on social media, with a caption related to privatizing health care.

Zaidi said the minister and his wife, Andrea Shandro, visited his Calgary home in March 2020 during fractious negotiations over fees between the government and the Alberta Medical Association.

A thought-bubble caption on the photo of Shandro said: "So every Albertan that I can kick off health care is another client we can sign up for Vital Partners. We're going to be RICH."

Andrea Shandro is the co-founder of Vital Partners, a health insurance agency. 

During opening statements, society counsel said that it is their understanding that Andrea and Tyler Shandro each had a 50 per cent share in the company, but that the minister's share is in a blind trust – though they said proof of that has yet to be provided to the inquiry. 

Under questioning, Zaidi said he went outside to meet Tyler Shandro, whom he described as being highly upset. He said Shandro demanded that he remove the post immediately because his family was being subjected to death threats.

"As I stepped out into the driveway I see Shandro and his wife standing at the sidewalk. He was crying, he was emotionally charged. His wife was holding him," Zaidi said.

"He said, 'You can't do this to us. We're getting death threats.' I think I asked him, 'What do you want me to do?' And he said, 'Delete your post."'

Zaidi said he complied and felt that Shandro was visiting in his capacity as a government minister and not as a private citizen.

Zaidi said he has been a member of the United Conservative Party, was an activist and had known Shandro for some time.

The doctor told the panel he put the matter behind him but was contacted by a CBC News journalist.