Senior public health doctor charged with child sex offences released on bail after court appearance
The top doctor in B.C.’s Interior Health region, which spans from the Okanagan to the Kooteneys, was released on bail Wednesday morning, after a court appearance related to two alleged sex offences committed in Alberta.
Dr. Albert de Villiers, 52, is charged with sexual assault and sexual interference, which is a criminal charge that relates to a child under age 16.
Mounties in Grande Prairie, Alberta say the charges date back to the period between June 2018 and July 2020.
De Villiers worked as a public health official in Grande Prairie for some 16 years before he was hired as Interior Health’s chief medical health officer, based in Kelowna, in August 2020.
In that role, he has been the top public health official implementing policies and overseeing the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines in the region.
“This particular case was not related to his employment,” Grande Prairie RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Shawn Graham told CTV News Vancouver.
Interior Health said De Villiers had been placed on leave, and other top public health officials would be taking over the position on an interim basis.
A spokesperson could not provide details on whether De Villiers had undergone a criminal background check or if he had been otherwise vetted as part of the hiring process.
Police arrested De Villiers in Kelowna on Tuesday, after investigating a report on May 28 of sexual offences against a young child, Mounties said.
De Villiers was released on a promise to appear in court, along with a number of conditions that include no contact with his alleged victim or the victim’s family, and avoiding public parks, swimming areas, community centres, schools, or playgrounds where children under 16 are present, with few exceptions.
He also must surrender his passport.
At the Kelowna home registered in his name, a woman who answered the door Wednesday told a reporter for “Kelowna Now” she had nothing to say about the charges.
In Victoria, Health Minister Adrian Dix called the charges against Interior Health's top doctor both serious and concerning.
“What I can say is that it won’t distract us at all,” Dix said, adding that vaccination efforts and support for those suffering from COVID-19 would continue at the “highest possible level.”
De Villiers next court appearance is scheduled for June 30 in Grande Prairie.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Ford to recall some pickup trucks in Canada over tail light failure
Ford is set to recall some pickup trucks in Canada due to potential tail light failure.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
How to overcome 'savings guilt' when you're living paycheque to paycheque
As the higher cost of living continues to squeeze household budgets, many Canadians find they have even less left over at the end of every month to squirrel away for the future.