Fake PhDs & Psychedelics: The Tyee Exposes MLA Jody Toor

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Author's Note: This opinion article summarizes findings from two articles by Michelle Gamage of The Tyee. Links to Ms. Gammage's articles can be found below. Please do read/share the full articles, and also consider subscribing to / supporting The Tyee financially.

Background

Two recent investigative articles by Michelle Gamage of The Tyee have raised serious concerns about the professional background of Jody Toor, the newly elected Conservative MLA representing Langley-Willowbrook.

Below are short summaries of (and links to) these articles, along with brief commentary on what they might mean for the constituents of Langley-Willowbrook.

As mentioned above, please do take the time to read these articles in full, and share them generously. There is a shocking amount of quality research and shocking evidence that Ms. Gamage produced, which we do not have the scope to cover in this article.

Article One: Jody Toor's Fake Credentials

The first article article, published January 29, shows evidence that Toor, who was appointed caucus chair of the Conservative Party in December 2024, has presented herself as a highly qualified medical professional and academic, claiming to hold a double PhD, a medical doctor (MD) designation, and board certification in integrative medicine.

However, experts and investigative findings from The Tyee suggest these claims are unsubstantiated, with her academic credentials stemming from Quantum University, an unaccredited online institution widely criticized as a "diploma mill."

Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society, and Timothy Caulfield, a University of Alberta professor specializing in health misinformation, have both labeled Toor a "quack," accusing her of misrepresenting her qualifications.

Quantum University, where Toor allegedly earned her degrees, is described as a pseudoscientific institution that awards credentials without rigorous academic standards. Furthermore, Toor’s claims of being a licensed medical doctor are contradicted by evidence showing she never completed medical school or obtained registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia.

Misusing the "MD" title in B.C. is a legal offense punishable by fines or jail time, adding a layer of ethical and legal concern to her actions.

Article Two: From Psychedelic Therapist to Drug War Hardliner, or A Hypocrite’s Journey

The second article highlights a specific example of how Toor misrepresented her medical credentials to secure a position as chief medical officer at Conscious Mind Labs, a Vancouver-based company offering "psychedelic therapy" for mental health treatment.

According to Donald Gauvreau, the company’s founder, he hired Toor in 2021 believing she held a medical degree (MD) and had completed a research fellowship at the University of Miami.

However, The Tyee found no evidence that Toor graduated from an accredited medical school or obtained the necessary qualifications to practice medicine. Her PhD, which she claims is a double doctorate in integrative medicine and humanitarian services, comes from the previously-mentioned Quantum University, which is described by experts in the article as a "diploma mill."

During her tenure at Conscious Mind Labs, Toor was publicly identified as an MD and board-certified integrative medicine doctor in press releases and on the company’s website. Gauvreau admitted he was unaware that Toor was not licensed to practice medicine in Canada and said he believed her credentials were legitimate based on documents displayed at her wellness clinic. Toor was terminated in early 2022 for failing to deliver on her responsibilities, and Gauvreau has since distanced himself from her.

The company’s website, which continued to list Toor as chief medical officer with her disputed credentials, was reportedly "hijacked" by a former associate and only taken down after intervention from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC.

The revelations about Toor’s involvement with "psychedelic therapy" have sparked criticism, particularly given her role as an elected official and her party’s strong anti-drug stance.

While Conscious Mind Labs is involved in psychedelic therapy research, including Health Canada-approved clinical trials on psilocybin, Toor has publicly aligned herself with the BC Conservatives’ opposition to drug decriminalization and harm reduction policies.

Drug policy activists like Dana Larsen have called out the apparent hypocrisy, noting the party’s condemnation of psychedelics while allowing a member with questionable credentials to advance her career in the field.

This dissonant hypocrisy underscores broader concerns about general accountability and transparency in Toor's role as an MLA, raising questions about Toor’s fitness to represent her constituents and the vetting processes that allowed her to rise to prominence.

A Worrying Trend: Pseudoscience Ascending in Health Leadership

The election and appointment of MLA Toor as the Conservative caucus chair is part of a broader trend of individuals with questionable medical backgrounds gaining political influence.

Experts interviewed by The Tyee drew parallels to the nomination of conspiracy theorist RFK Jr. to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services, and it's not difficult to understand how the two scenarios are similar.

These political appointments of pseudoscience grifters could potentially undermine public trust in healthcare systems and erode the credibility of evidence-based medicine. They risk not only the spread of misinformation but also jeopardize the integrity of healthcare governance, as unvetted leaders promote policies and practices that lack scientific rigor, potentially endangering public health.

While Toor was elected with 48 percent of the vote in the Langley-Willowbrook riding, these revelations might prompt voters to question the transparency of political candidate screening processes.

The BC Conservatives have not yet publicly responded to the specific allegations about Toor's credentials.

For Langley residents, these articles raise important questions about professional accountability and the importance of verifying candidate backgrounds during election periods.

As the community continues to process these revelations, the focus remains on understanding the full extent of Toor's professional misrepresentations and their potential implications for local political representation.