‘Incompetent’ northern Ont. doctor loses his license to practise medicine

A northern Ontario doctor has been stripped of his medical licence for conduct described as “disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional.”
Patrick Brian Phillips first gained attention in September 2021 when the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario barred him from issuing exemptions for COVID-19 vaccines, masking requirements and testing.
Phillips, who practised in Englehart, was also prohibited from prescribing ivermectin -- an antiparasitic agent that Health Canada says should not be used for treating COVID-19 -- as well as fluvoxamine and atorvastatin in connection with the virus.
On Feb. 9, 2022, the hospital in Kirkland Lake, Blanche River Health, suspended his hospital privileges.
A discipline tribunal heard his case June 6 and ruled he had engaged in dishonourable conduct, failed to respond to their inquiries and failed to maintain the standard of practice expected by physicians in Ontario.
In particular, the College ruled he provided “misleading, incorrect or inflammatory statements regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and related issues.”
He also disclosed online a private letter received from an Associate Medical Officer of Health and interfered with the testing of an infant for COVID-19, even though it wasn’t his patient.
“The tribunal also found that Dr. Phillips is incompetent,” the College said.
Phillips has been ordered to appear before the panel to be reprimanded, and ordered to pay $6,000 in costs by July 6.
Download our app to get local alerts on your device
Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
On his Twitter, Phillips said he pleaded “no contest” and was now “filled with so much peace, forgiveness and even gratitude for this experience.”
Phillips, who has more than 53,700 followers, said he is a former “agnostic/atheist” and then cited a Gospel quotation about turning the other cheek.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

NDP to form majority government following historic Manitoba election
Wab Kinew’s New Democratic Party is projected to have enough seats in the Manitoba Legislature to form a majority government, taking the helm after two consecutive terms of a majority Tory regime.
Parks Canada reveals additional details about deadly bear attack in Banff
The couple and dog mauled and killed by a grizzly bear in the backcountry of Banff National Park late last week did everything right, Parks Canada says.
Parents want arrest after son 'deliberately kicked' in neck during Edmonton hockey game
A Junior C hockey player says he is lucky to be alive after his neck was sliced open by a hockey skate last week in an act his parents believe – and the referee ruled – was an intentional kick.
A look back at election day in Manitoba
Manitobans have cast their vote in a historic election. The CTV News Decision Desk has declared an NDP majority win, making NDP Leader and Premier-elect Wab Kinew the first First Nations premier in the province. Take a look at the election night in Manitoba.
Multiple people have been shot on campus of Morgan State University in Baltimore, police say
Multiple people were shot at Morgan State University in Baltimore on Tuesday, according to police, who urged students to take shelter on the campus of the historically Black college.
Canadian condo sales falling amid concerns over interest rate hikes
Amid consistent interest rate hikes and wavering markets, Canadian condo sales are starting to fall in all but two markets in the nation, according to a new report from Re/Max.
McCarthy becomes the first U.S. speaker ever to be ousted from the job in a House vote
U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was voted out of the job Tuesday in an extraordinary showdown, a first in U.S. history that was forced by a contingent of hard-right conservatives and threw the House and its Republican leadership into chaos.
Train service restored after CN experiences network-wide system failure
Canadian National Railway Co. experienced a network-wide system failure on Tuesday that affected Via, GO and other trains in Ontario. The issue was resolved and service was restored Tuesday night.
Tropical Storm Philippe could impact the Maritimes on Thanksgiving weekend
The Maritimes have been on an extended run of very fair weather the last two weeks while under a persistent ridge of high pressure. Unfortunately, that pattern changes this weekend with the approach of a weather front from the west and a likely post-tropical storm Philippe from the south.