Consent Orders

Once a citation has been issued, a registrant may provide a written proposal to either the Investigation Committee if the discipline hearing has not yet begun, or to the Discipline Committee if the hearing has begun in order to resolve the matter. Notification of a consent order must be made pursuant to s. 68(1)(d) of the Veterinarians Act.

9/18/2023
 
Registrant: Dr. Gurcharan Dhaliwal
Complaint File Number: 20-055(a)
Decision:  On September 13, 2023, the Investigation Committee approved the executed Consent Order.
Description & Reasons:  Dr. Dhaliwal agrees that monitoring of vital signs at intervals of 4-8 hours is not sufficient for a critically ill patient.  He agrees that tracheostomy tubes require proper cleaning and suctioning at appropriate intervals to best ensure the tube stays clean and allows for proper air flow.  He agrees that he needs to obtain a client’s informed consent for a critically ill patient to be monitored by non-veterinary staff or provide the opinion of referral to another facility for continuous care.  He acknowledges that his medical records lacked the detail required by the CVBC processional practice standards.  In terms of the consent agreement Dr. Dhaliwal will complete a total of 6 hours of RACE-approved continuing education in management of respiratory emergencies.  He has also agreed to keep medical records that conform to the CVBC Professional Standard:  Companion Animal Medical Records and pay the CVBC 50% of the costs of the investigation costs in the amount of $448.04 and a fine in the amount of $500.00.
9/18/2023
 
Registrant: Dr. Harpreet Dhaliwal
Complaint File Number: 22-103
Decision:  On August 9, 2023, the Investigation Committee approved the executed Consent Order.
Description & Reasons:  Dr. Dhaliwal admitted that he failed to cooperate with the CVBC’s investigation of seven complaints by failing to provide a response to any of those complaints and by failing to provide the records requested within the time parameters set out in written correspondence from the CVBC, contrary to s.52(3) of the Veterinarians Act, s.207(3) of Part 4 of the Bylaws and the Professional Standard: Registrant Cooperation During Investigations and Accreditations.  Dr. Dhaliwal consented to disciplinary action including a reprimand, a fine and costs. 
11/7/2022
 
Registrant: Dr. Nurez Kassam
Complaint File Number: 20-014
Decision:  On September 19, 2022, the Investigation Committee approved the executed Consent Order.
Description & Reasons:  Dr. Kassam admitted that he failed to cooperate with the CVBC’s investigation of a complaint and did not respond promptly and appropriately to communications from the CVBC, contrary to s.52(3) of the Veterinarian’s Act. Dr. Kassam further admitted that he failed to obtain informed consent from a client in relation to the unsupervised overnight hospitalization of an animal, contrary to s.211(2) of the Bylaws. Dr. Kassam undertook to cooperate with investigations of the Investigative Committee and to hospitalize ill patients only when a client has given informed consent.  Dr. Kassam consented to disciplinary action including payment of a fine, completion of a total of eight hours of continuing education in critical care and client communication, and payment of investigation costs. 
9/27/2021
 
Registrant: Dr. Varinder Dabri
Complaint File Number: 18-090, 18-091, and 18-102
Decision: On September 23, 2021, the Investigation Committee approved the executed Consent Order.
Description & Reasons: Dr. Dabri admitted that he engaged in professional misconduct in respect of his interactions with three staff members at a veterinary hospital located in Vancouver, British Columbia.  The conduct included inappropriate comments, speaking in a rude and unprofessional manner, and making inappropriate physical contact.  Dr. Dabri consented to disciplinary action including submitting a written apology to each of the staff members, taking a one-day remedial course, a suspension of 30 days, and payment of costs.
 
The requirements of this Consent Order have been met and the matter has been closed.
3/19/2020 
 
Registrant: Dr. Lisa Watt
Complaint File Number: 17-044
Decision: On December 8, 2018, the Investigation Committee approved the executed Consent Order.
Description & Reasons: Dr. Watt admitted that she failed to cooperate with the CVBC’s investigation of a complaint and failed to provide information and records, contrary to s.52(3) of the Veterinarians Act and s.207(3) of Part 4 of the Bylaws. Dr. Watt further admitted that this conduct amounted to professional misconduct pursuant to c.61(1) of the Act. Dr. Watt consented to disciplinary action including a reprimand, a fine and costs. 
 6/25/2015 
 

Registrant: Dr. Surinder Sharma
Complaint File Number: 13-001b
Decision: On June 25, 2015 the Investigation Committee approved the executed Consent Order.
Description & Reasons: Dr. Sharma undertook to complete specified continuing education and pay 50% of the costs of the investigation for breach of Section 81 of the CVBC Code of Ethics.

 10/30/2014 
 

Registrant: Dr. Tarinder Kaur
Complaint File Number: 12-071 (H13-09)
Decision: On October 30, 2014 the Investigation Committee approved the executed Consent Order.
Description & Reasons: Dr. Kaur undertook to identify herself only as Dr. Kaur or Dr. Tarinder Kaur in all written and digital media, so that the public can reasonably identify her as a Registrant of the CVBC. Dr. Kaur agreed to accept a reprimand, pay a fine, and pay 50% of the costs of the investigation for breach of Sections 52 and 103 of the CVBC Code of Ethics.

Posted December 12, 2014 / reposted February 27, 2015
The requirements of this Consent Order have been met and the matter has been closed.

 5/15/2014 
 

Registrant: Dr. Rich Vanderwal
Complaint File Number: 12-016
Decision: On May 15, 2014 the Investigation Committee approved the executed Consent Order.
Description & Reasons: Dr. Vanderwal failed to properly supervise a PhD/veterinary student while under his employ. Dr. Vanderwal undertakes to ensure proper supervision of PhD/veterinary students in the future, pay a fine an 50% costs of the investigation.

The requirements of this Consent Order have been met and the matter has been closed.

5/15/2014 
 

Registrant: Dr. Gurnam Kundlas
Complaint File Number: 11-028c
Decision: On May 15, 2014 the Investigation Committee approved the executed Consent Order.
Description & Reasons: Dr. Kundlas undertook to refrain from using laser for surgery until competence in laser surgery is demonstrated, attend specified continuing education, pay a fine, and pay 50% of the costs of the investigation for breach of Sections 31 and 81 of the CVBC Code of Ethics.

 The requirements of this Consent Order have been met and the matter has been closed.

 4/3/2014 
 

Registrant: Dr. Michael Bratt
Complaint File Number: 10-045
Decision: On April 3, 2014 the Investigation Committee approved the executed Consent Order.
Description & Reasons: Dr. Bratt undertook to abide by the CVBC Bylaws and Code of Ethics, pay a fine, and accept a reprimand for breach of Sections 37(7), 37(8) and 37(90) of the CVBC Bylaws and Section 114 of the CVBC Code of Ethics.

The requirements of this Consent Order have been met and the matter has been closed.

 2/6/2014 
 

Registrant: Dr. Amandeep Preet
Complaint File Number: 09-110
Decision: On February 6, 2014 the Investigation Committee approved the executed Consent Order.
Description & Reasons:  Dr. Preet acknowledged that she failed to provide competent care in the diagnosis and treatment of a feline patient and that the medical records were inaccurate with respect to dates and medical facts.  Dr. Preet undertook to attend specific continuing education in radiology, internal medicine and feline cardiopulmonary disease, pay a fine in the amount of $500, and pay 50% of the costs of the investigation for breach of Sections 31 and 81 of the CVBC Code of Ethics.

 2/6/2014 
 

Registrant: Dr. Michael Charach
Complaint File Number: 12-009-A
Decision: On February 6, 2014 the Investigation Committee approved the executed Consent Order.
Description & Reasons: Dr. Charach undertook to abide by the current or future CVBC marketing guidelines, and pay 50% of the costs of the investigation for breach of the Guidelines – CVBC (BCVMA) – Marketing Rules.

The requirements of this Consent Order have been met and the matter has been closed.

 12/5/2013 
 

Registrant: Dr. Jaswinder Dhot
Complaint File Number: 08-035b & 08-055a
Decision: On December 5, 2013 the Investigation Committee approved the executed Consent Order.
Description & Reasons: Dr. Dhot undertook to attend specified continuing education, pay a fine and pay 50% costs of the investigation for breach of sections 31 and 83 of the CVBC Code of Ethics.

 10/17/2013 
 

Registrant: Dr. Brian Danks
Complaint File Number: 09-035b
Decision: On October 17, 2013 the Investigation Committee approved the executed Consent Order.
Description & Reasons: Dr. Danks acknowledged deficiencies in the areas on anesthetic recordkeeping, pre-operative exam results, and transport of unstable patients. Dr. Danks undertook to attend specified continuing education to address the acknowledged deficiencies, accept a reprimand, pay a fine and pay 50% of the costs of the investigation for breach of Sections 31, 34 and 81 of the CVBC Code of Ethics.

The requirements of this Consent Order have been met and the matter has been closed.

 6/27/2013 
 

Registrant: Dr. Erik Wirtanen
Complaint File Number: 09-100
Decision: On June 27, 2013 the Investigation Committee approved the executed Consent Order.
Description & Reasons: Dr. Wirtanen agreed that he engaged in professional misconduct with respect to communication and deportment toward a colleague. Dr. Wirtanen also engaged in the operation of an unauthorized veterinary facility. Dr. Wirtanen agreed to pay a fine, attend specified continuing education, and pay 50% of the costs of the investigation for breach of Sections 12, 20, 23, 24, 27 and 53 of the CVBC Code of Ethics.

The requirements of this Consent Order have been met and the matter has been closed.

 2/7/2013 
 

Registrant: Dr. Harjeet Makkar
Complaint File Number: 10-023
Decision: On February 7, 2013 the Investigation Committee approved the executed Consent Order.
Description & Reasons: Dr. Makkar undertook to attend specified continuing education, pay a fine, accept a reprimand, and pay 50% of the costs of the investigation for breach of The requirements of this Consent Order have been met and the matter has been closed.Section 31 of the CVBC Code of Ethics.

 8/16/2012 
 

Registrant: Dr. Moira Drosdovech
Complaint File Number: 10-067
Decision: On August 16, 2012 the Investigation Committee approved the executed Consent Order.
Description & Reasons: Dr. Drosdovech failed to review previous medical records on a patient, used a toxic substance not approved by Health Canada and not approved for sale in Canada to treat lymphoma in a dog, which caused a severe adverse reaction. Dr. Drosdovech agrees not to use, prescribe, recommend or administer any drug or therapeutic substance that has not been approved for distribution in Canada by Health Canada. She agrees to inform owners of consequences of off-label use. She agrees to attend specific continuing education, pay a fine of $5000, and 50% of the costs of the investigation.

 6/7/2012 
 

Registrant: Dr. Janne Potter
Complaint File Number: 09-005
Decision: On June 7, 2012 the Investigation Committee approved the executed Consent Order.
Description & Reasons: Dr. Janne Potter and the CVBC have reached a Consent Agreement wherein Dr. Potter undertakes to use her facility prescription pad only to prescribe prescriptions, to create and maintain better medical records including records including initials for each entry, and to pay costs to the CVBC in the amount of $600. The CVBC considers this agreement is necessary in the public interest that records be of a nature to facilitate tracing of prescription requisitions to their source.

The requirements of this Consent Order have been met and the matter has been closed.