This afternoon the Halifax Provincial Court vacated Dr. David Barnett's undertaking and attached conditions. The information that gave rise to the consideration of criminal charges and the conditions upon Dr. Barnett’s release have all been dismissed.

“The Crown has notified the College that law enforcement wrongly identified Dr. Barnett as a person possessing for the purposes of distributing child pornography”, said Dr. Gus Grant, Registrar & CEO of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Nova Scotia. “An individual of similar name, with a similar email address, has been arrested in relation to these facts in the state of Ohio. This is a case of mistaken identity.”

“There is no evidence whatsoever connecting Dr. Barnett to matters related to child pornography.”

Upon learning of the provincial court ruling, the College of Physicians and Surgeons immediately held an expedited Investigation Committee meeting. The committee removed the interim suspension imposed on Dr. Barnett’s licence on December 4, 2020, in response to an arrest and criminal charges laid at the time. The licence suspension is lifted effective immediately and the complaint has been dismissed. “In the eyes of the College, Dr. Barnett’s name is entirely clear, as it should be", Grant stated.

In addition to contacting Dr. Barnett regarding the immediate removal of his licence suspension, stakeholders such as the health authorities will be notified by the College.

For more information please contact:
Pattie LaCroix
Director, Communications & Policy
Email: placroix@cpsns.ns.ca

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