Premier Scott Moe says Livingstone quit rather than being fired; SHA board refuses further comment but will release updates soon on their search for new CEO.
As of yesterday, CEO Scott Livingston has resigned from his position. Livingston was also doing the job of the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s Chief Operating Officer Suann Laurent.
Laurent’s absence was unknown until now. SHA spokesperson Doug Dahl told news media that Laurent had retired in late October. No announcement was made at that time.
That leaves the two top positions at SHA vacant within a month of each other.
According to the SHA annual report for the year ended March 31, 2021 (pg. 66), Livingstone and Laurent were the two highest-ranking and highest-paid executives in the SHA.
Including benefits and allowances, Livingstone was compensated $418,543, while Laurent made $376,222.
Newly-appointed interim CEO Andrew Will is the SHA’s vice-president of infrastructure, information, and support.
SHA spokespersons have said they will not comment further.
Premier Scott Moe told reporters that he did not fire Livingstone and that the news was unexpected. He emphasized that no services or supports will be affected.
MooseJawToday.com is following up with relevant sources.
UPDATED with responses from Vicki Mowat, Official Opposition Health Critic, and from Doug Dahl, a spokesperson for SHA.
Statement from Vicki Mowat:
“This was news to us when it was announced yesterday. We know that many Saskatchewan Health Authority employees, including physicians and senior leaders, have been frustrated by the province's handling of the fourth wave. It has been a really challenging time for people working in health system over the past 22 months of the pandemic. We’ve asked our healthcare professionals to take on a significant burden and we can’t thank them enough for what they do. We thank Mr. Livingstone for his service and wish him all the best. These are very serious times and the new CEO will have some significant challenges to manage in the months ahead.”
Statement from Doug Dahl on behalf of Saskatchewan Health Authority:
"Mr. Livingstone delivered notice last week that he was leaving. The Board is grateful for Scott’s leadership through some very challenging times. We will not be commenting further on his decision to move on from his role as CEO.
The Chief Operating Officer retired at the end of October after a long and successful career within our health system. Suann Laurent’s retirement was announced to leaders at the end of October, with her job accountabilities transitioned to the CEO. That position currently remains vacant.
Given the critical services the SHA provides, there is probably never an ideal time for a transition of this nature to occur. However, given Andrew Will’s significant experience and the fact that he already serves on the SHA’s Executive Leadership Team, we believe the transition will be seamless. It also helps that the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre is in place to ensure continuity of decision-making around Saskatchewan’s response to COVID.
The details of the CEO search have not yet been finalized. When they are finalized we will certainly make the process and expected timelines public."
