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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Former NWT top-judge John Vertes has been appointed to head up a public inquiry into accusations of queue-jumping for treatments and surgeries in Alberta.

Former NWT judge John Verte's job is two-fold: to find out if queue-jumping was occurring, and to call for recommendations that would prevent it in the future.

The announcement came Monday, with representatives from the Health Quality Council of Alberta describing him as an "ideal" person for the job.

"He's very experienced and a very well-known local and national jurist. So, we were very confident that he would be the ideal person to lead this inquiry," said John Cowell, CEO for the council.

He said a lot of potential justices were considered, but Vertes was selected for his experience and because while he now calls Calgary home, Vertes comes from outside Alberta.

"In the end we felt that it would be very good to have a justice that was from out province, because then we could be totally assured of no biases, no local partisan affiliation, this kind of thing," said Cowell.

Vertes has no experience participating in a health inquiry, he said, adding that was not the most important consideration.

"What we really wanted was somebody who has such a solid reputation and (is) able to handle the mechanics of the inquiry," Cowell said.

Verte's job is two-fold: to find out if queue-jumping was occurring, and to call for recommendations that would prevent it in the future.

"I think the terms of reference are sufficiently broad that the judge can follow the evidence that turns up and I believe he will follow whatever trail he believes is relevant to answering this question as to whether or not improper, preferential access to the public system was occurring," said Cowell.

He said Vertes showed no reluctance to taking on the task and described him as being interested and intrigued to get to the bottom of the allegations.

Allan Wachowich, a former Alberta chief justice, said he recommended Vertes to Cowell because of his courage and experience.

"He's a man of courage and he's a man who's proven himself and an individual who in my view is very much of a compliment to the legal profession, particularly in the territories," said Wachowich. "He has an impeccable reputation for integrity, patience and is a man who is prepared to hear people out. He comes to deal with an issue with an open mind and he is decisive."

Vertes retired as senior judge of the Supreme Court of the Northwest Territories in June 2011.

Vertes is currently outside the country and was unavailable for comment at press time.

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