, and his office declined to comment on the newly released documents when asked by The Globe and Mail.
On Nov. 17, Mr. Clark called Jean-Sébastien Bock, the minister’s senior director of policy, and was told by a receptionist that he was busy and would call back. Mr. Bock did not return the call, so Mr. Clark tried again several hours later. The receptionist asked Mr. Clark what the call was about, and when he said “the PMPRB guidelines,” the receptionist said Mr. Bock would not take the call.
The documents also show that Prof. Bourassa Forcier was the only board member who wanted to heed Mr. Duclos’ request to suspend the consultation. The rest of the board members disagreed, which ultimately led her to resign as acting chair. The e-mails say PMPRB staff members met with Health Canada officials seven times throughout the fall to discuss the new guidelines. In an April 7 e-mail, PMPRB policy director Tanya Potashnik wrote that “at no time” did Health Canada suggest making any changes, which is one reason why Mr. Duclos’ letter was so unexpected.