Times-Chronicle Staff
Interior Health’s chief medical officer has been replaced with another official as he faces allegations of sexual assault.
Dr. Albert de Villiers has been granted bail with conditions as he awaits his next court appearance on June 30 in Grande Prairie, Alberta where the assaults are alleged to have occurred between 2018 and 2020.
Grande Prairie RCMP confirmed the charges against the 52-year-old following an investigation.
On May 28, 2021, RCMP received a report of sexual offences against a young child.
On June 8, 2021, the 52-year-old man was arrested in Kelowna. He has been charged with one count of sexual assault and sexual interference.
De Villiers worked as a public health official in Grande Prairie before being appointed chief medical officer for Interior Health in B.C.
Provincial Health Minister Adrian Dix commented on the charges.
“These are serious charges, of course, and they are very concerning to us, and obviously everyone in Interior Health in particular.”
Dix said de Villiers is now on leave while the matter is being handled by police.
“We’re limited to what we can say as it works its way through the judicial system, as it should.”
Dix stressed that de Villiers’ arrest will not distract the ministry or Interior Health from protecting people from COVID-19.
Interior Health told the Times-Chronicle that it doesn’t have much to add, quoting its privacy legislation.
“All further questions should be directed to the RCMP.”
Moving forward, it has appointed Dr. Sue Pollock as the interim chief medical health officer.
