B.C. doctor accused of spreading COVID-19 misinformation suspended from practice

A B.C. doctor known for spreading false information about COVID-19 and who has been linked to a website selling fake vaccine exemption certificates has been suspended from practising medicine.

An order issued by theCollege of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia on March24 prohibits Stephen Malthouse, a physician on Denman Island, B.C.,from practice as thecollege investigateshis actions.

An inquiry committee determined there would be a risk of harm to the public ifMalthouse continues to practise during the course of the investigationand says his conduct would likely persist without the suspension.

The order can becancelled if information arises that shows the public would no longer be at risk.

Malthouse, whose musings on the pandemic have gone viral in some circles, has repeatedly claimed that COVID-19 is no more deadly than the flu and that vaccines are more dangerous than the novel coronavirus.

He's publicized these scientifically unsupported ideas in videos, at rallies against public health measuresand in open letters.

What appears to behis signaturewas allegedly found on a fake vaccine exemption linked to B.C.-based websiteEnableAir.com.

In January, Malthouse told CBC he signs theexemptions because people are being "coerced" into gettingvaccinated.

"A lot of people are asking for exemptions to not get a very dangerous shot that does no good for them, and if they don't get it, they have a threat of losing their jobs. Families are being threatened. Really, I think doctors, under those circumstances, should be writing exemptions," hesaid.

Another B.C. doctor, Gwyllyn Goddard, was also tied to the website. Hismedical licence is temporarily inactive.

As of Mar. 28, the website appears to no longer offer exemptions, but instead claims to provide "incredibly useful" information about COVID-19 and vaccinations.

Chilliwack RCMP areinvestigating EnableAir.com.

Malthouse filed a petition in B.C. Supreme Court last year, claimingthe college is violating his right to free speech by investigating him andproposing disciplinary measures.