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Settlement in Healy Legal Dispute a "Vindication"

(Ottawa — April 29, 2002) The University of Toronto has agreed to a settlement in the highly-publicized case of Dr. David Healy and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Healy had launched a lawsuit last year against the University and CAMH alleging that his contract to be Clinical Director, Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program with CAMH and Professor of Psychiatry with the University of Toronto had been inappropriately cancelled following a lecture he gave critical of the role of pharmaceutical companies in university research.

"We see the settlement as a complete vindication for Dr. Healy," said Vic Catano, President of the Canadian Association of University Teachers.

In the joint statement released by the parties, the University said "it underscores its support for free expression of critical views and acknowledges Dr. Healy's scholarship by confirming it will be appointing him as a Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Medicine."

"This is a clear acknowledgement of the quality and integrity of Dr. Healy's scholarly work," Catano said.

The joint statement also indicates that "Dr. Healy intends to continue to write and speak on issues concerning pharmaceutical companies, research and academic freedom."

"Our hope," Catano said, "is that the case also motivates the University of Toronto and all other universities in Canada to more vigorously defend the academic freedom of faculty appointed at university-affiliated teaching hospitals and research institutions."

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