Two individuals who lodged complaints with Moose Jaw police regarding the Dr. Goodenowe Restorative Health Center in Moose Jaw, Sask., are questioning why the police publicly stated there were no records of such complaints. Last month, Moose Jaw police announced they were commencing an investigation into the controversial health center following a complaint from the provincial NDP Opposition. The NDP expressed concerns about potential fraud, criminal neglect, and failure to provide essential care at the clinic.
Dayan Goodenowe, the founder of the Moose Jaw center, dismissed the NDP’s allegations as a false narrative, branding it as grandstanding in an email to supporters. He affirmed that they would not allow these accusations to go unchallenged. The NDP’s complaint stemmed from a CBC report on Susie Silvestri, a 70-year-old who had sold her home to attend Goodenowe’s three-month health program, believing she would be cured.
Despite police stating that they had not received any prior complaints or active investigations related to the business, Teresa Sando, a former client, disputed this claim, mentioning that she had submitted an online written complaint a year earlier. In her complaint, Sando accused the health center of running a medical fraud/scam on ALS patients. She also detailed how Goodenowe claimed to have halted the progression of ALS in patients, a claim that was not substantiated by the experiences of Sando and her husband.
Martin Letendre, a Quebec lawyer and medical ethics expert, also filed a complaint against Goodenowe’s clinic for fraudulent practices. He expressed confusion over the police’s statement indicating no previous complaints, as he had personally submitted a complaint. Letendre speculated that there might be protective measures in place around Goodenowe and his clinic, raising concerns about institutional trust.
Although police acknowledged receiving complaints from Sando and Letendre, they initially stated no evidence of prior complaints. The police have now initiated an investigation, acknowledging the need for a more thorough search of their records. Sando remains skeptical, expressing concerns about potential cover-ups in small towns like Moose Jaw.