Article – A rural Saskatchewan physician is demanding $15 million from the CBC, alleging that a series of investigative reports irreparably damaged her professional reputation and subjected her to harassment.
Dr. Fauzia Ramzan, who operated the Moose Jaw Medical Centre until late 2023, filed the defamation lawsuit against CBC, several of its journalists, and the Saskatchewan Health Authority last week in the Court of King’s Bench. The claim centers on coverage that began in early 2023 examining patient care complaints and administrative practices at her clinic.
“The defendants’ reporting created a false narrative suggesting I was running some kind of fraudulent operation,” Dr. Ramzan stated in court documents I reviewed. “These stories sparked a tsunami of online harassment and drove patients away based on unsubstantiated claims.”
The CBC investigation, which aired on both television and digital platforms, featured interviews with former patients who alleged they were charged for services covered under provincial healthcare and claimed they received inadequate medical attention. According to the statement of claim, the broadcaster failed to adequately verify these allegations before publication.
Leanne Thompson, a medical liability lawyer with the Canadian Medical Protective Association who is not involved in this case, explained that defamation cases involving healthcare providers face unique challenges. “Physicians must prove not just that statements were false, but that they caused actual harm to their practice and that the publisher acted with malice or negligence,” Thompson told me during a phone interview.
The lawsuit alleges CBC journalists approached former employees who had signed confidentiality agreements, potentially encouraging breach of contract. It further claims reporters selectively edited interviews to present the most damaging narrative possible.
CBC’s lawyer Andrew Bernstein defended the organization’s reporting in a brief statement: “Our journalism adhered to rigorous editorial standards and presented multiple perspectives, including offering Dr. Ramzan numerous opportunities to respond.” The broadcaster has 30 days to file a formal statement of defense.
Court documents show that following the CBC’s coverage, Dr. Ramzan’s patient volume decreased by approximately 35 percent within three months. The Saskatchewan Health Authority also launched an administrative review of billing practices at the clinic shortly after the initial reports aired.
“What’s particularly concerning in this case is the speed at which digital reporting can devastate a rural medical practice,” said Dr. Lauren Peters, president of the Saskatchewan Medical Association. “When a community has limited healthcare options, damaging a physician’s reputation affects not just the doctor but potentially the entire community’s access to care.”
The lawsuit points to specific reporting practices it deems problematic, including the use of hidden cameras in public areas of the clinic and what it describes as “ambush-style” interviews with staff members as they left work.
Media law expert James Turk from Ryerson University’s Centre for Free Expression believes the case highlights the tension between accountability journalism and professional reputation. “Courts increasingly recognize the devastating impact digital reporting can have on individuals, even when traditional journalistic practices are followed,” Turk said. “The permanence of online content means alleged harms don’t fade as they might have in previous eras.”
Documents filed with the court include screenshots of social media comments and messages Dr. Ramzan received following the CBC’s coverage, many containing threats and xenophobic language. The lawsuit argues CBC bears responsibility for the foreseeable consequences of its reporting.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority, also named as a defendant, declined to comment, citing active litigation. The lawsuit alleges the authority provided misleading information to CBC journalists and failed to correct inaccuracies when given the opportunity.
Dr. Ramzan closed her Moose Jaw practice in December 2023 and has reportedly relocated to Alberta. Her statement of claim indicates she suffered “severe psychological distress” and “essentially became unemployable in Saskatchewan” following the media coverage.
Legal experts suggest the case could take years to resolve, with potential implications for how news organizations approach investigative health reporting. CBC has successfully defended several defamation claims in recent years by invoking responsible communication defenses.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal documented a 43% increase in media-related complaints against physicians between 2018 and 2022, reflecting the growing intersection of healthcare, journalism, and digital media platforms.
For residents of Moose Jaw, a city of approximately 35,000 people, the controversy has exacerbated existing healthcare access challenges. The region was already experiencing physician shortages before Dr. Ramzan’s departure.
Both parties are scheduled to appear before Justice Meghan McCreary for a case management conference next month.
