TORONTO - Members of Canada's hemophilia community are awaiting a Superior Court judge's verdict Monday in what has been called the worst public health disaster in Canadian history.
"At the end of the day, what's important for us is that justice be done and justice be seen to be done,'' said John Plater of the Canadian Hemophilia Society.
"So that's really why we're anticipating tomorrow, and getting a hold of her decision and, in particular, the reasons for her decision.''
Dr. Roger Perrault, 70, a former national medical director with the Canadian Red Cross, has stood trial with three other doctors and a New Jersey pharmaceutical company for his alleged role in the country's tainted blood scandal that left thousands of Canadians infected with HIV or hepatitis C.
Perrault faces charges of criminal negligence causing bodily harm for allegedly giving hemophilia patients an HIV-infected blood-clotting product in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Plater said he expects a number of people will be present in the Toronto courtroom to witness what he calls, "the end of one of the chapters in this whole saga.''
"(The trial) doesn't necessarily impact on everyone directly with hemophilia, but it is one of the worst examples of how the health and safety of hemophiliacs was largely disregarded for some reason,'' he said.
The doctors and the drug company have pleaded not guilty in the case, and lawyers for three of the accused doctors have alleged the Crown didn't present enough evidence to prove its case.
More than 1,000 Canadians became infected with blood-borne HIV, and up to 20,000 others contracted hepatitis C after receiving tainted blood products.
Closing arguments finished last month in court, and the verdict is set to be delivered Monday afternoon by Justice Mary Lou Benotto.
