Dr. Bruce Hoffman sanctioned by CPSA Hearing Tribunal

Edmonton, AB – Dr. Bruce Hoffman, a general practitioner from Calgary, was sanctioned by a CPSA Hearing Tribunal for unprofessional conduct.

It was alleged that in 2016, Dr. Hoffman charged the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan for services provided to a patient while also privately charging the patient fees for the same visit, contrary to the Alberta Health Care Insurance Act. Dr. Hoffman was also accused of charging the patient an unreasonable appointment cancellation fee, contrary to the Canadian Medical Association’s Code of Ethics and Professionalism, and used a numbered company (an incorporated business without a descriptive name) to practise medicine, contrary to the Health Professions Act. Dr. Hoffman also allegedly violated CPSA’s Patient Record Retention standard of practice in April 2017 by failing to ensure the confidentiality of his patient’s records.

After hearing from witnesses and considering the evidence, the Hearing Tribunal found Dr. Hoffman guilty of four counts of unprofessional conduct. A fifth allegation was found to have not been proven and was dismissed by the Tribunal.

At a sanction hearing held in 2025, the Tribunal considered submissions from both parties before issuing their orders, which includes the following:

• Dr. Hoffman will receive a reprimand.
• At his own expense, Dr. Hoffman must complete a course on privacy, and a course on ethics and professionalism.
• Dr. Hoffman is fined a collective total of $7,000.
• Dr. Hoffman is responsible for 50% of costs from the investigation and hearing, to a maximum of $25,000.

Dr. Hoffman has appealed the Tribunal’s finding of unprofessional conduct and orders on sanction to CPSA Council. An appeal hearing is currently scheduled to take place on June 9, 2026. Dr. Hoffman has retired from medicine and no longer holds an active practice permit with CPSA.

Resources:
CPSA Hearing Tribunal decision (sanction)
CPSA Hearing Tribunal decision (merits)
CPSA’s appeal process