A Kaiapoi doctor caught handing out fake vaccine exemptions has been fined by the Ministry of Health.
Jonie Girouard Photo: A screengrab from Newshub
Footage of Jonie Girouard issuing bogus exemptions and coaching people on how to use them sparked an investigation into the North Canterbury GP in December.
The Medical Council said earlier this week that Girouard is no longer registered to practise medicine in New Zealand.
A statement from the Medical Council said that Girouard's entry from the register was removed at her own request and took effect from 22 December 2021.
She has now been issued with a $300 infringement notice for breaching the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act.
Specifically, it was for an unvaccinated person providing health services in-person.
The Ministry of Health said the offending occurred in early December when the infringement fee was set at $300.
It was subsequently increased to $4000.
Girouard is also being questioned over her use of an unapproved sugar substitute in her chocolate business.
She runs Jonie G's Guilt Free Chocolate - a keto, vegan, and diabetes-friendly chocolate range sweetened with the sugar substitute allulose.
However, Allulose is not currently permitted for sale under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
The Ministry for Primary industries has confirmed New Zealand Food Safety is supporting the Waimakariri District Council to look into the business to ensure compliance.
