Calls for AMA president to resign over controversial email

There are calls for the president of the Alberta Medical Association to resign after a controversial email.

The email that was sent last week from Dr. Patrick White's professional AMA email account, claiming P.C. Leadership candidate Gary Mar wants to hear what they think about the health care situation in the province.

Although there is a clear disclaimer at the top, critics charge the email still makes it seem Dr. White is endorsing Gary Mar.

The email was sent to the 10,000 doctors in the province who make up the AMA.

For some, the appearance of the email, in Gary Mar's campaign colour, along with the very fact it was sent from a professional account, make the optics questionable.

However, Dr. White responded to criticism a little earlier, issuing a second email reiterating the disclaimer on the first email, emphasizing that White's email was not meant as an endorsement.

Some aren't satisfied with that.

"If the reputation of the AMA is at stake, I think the honourable thing would be for Dr. White to resign at this point. It certainly appears that the actual reputation is at stake." said Dr. Charls Els.

In addition to Dr. Els calling for Dr. White's resignation, so too are politicians.

Both Kent Hehr and Dr. Raj Sherman are echoing those resignation calls.

For his part, Mar says he's had a different reaction.

"I'm up in Fort Mac, and people here were saying it's about time people started asking doctors what we can do to improve the health care system." Mar said Thursday.

The AMA says they are not responding to calls for Dr. White's resignation.

You can read the emails from Dr. White online.

With files from Vassy Kapelos.