[3] She is a physician and clinical professor at the University of British Columbia Medical School in the department of hematology and bone marrow transplant.
"[12] As part of the changes Ballem was given special powers that were referred to by Coalition of Progressive Electors councillor Ellen Woodsworth as "wide open carte blanche.
[9][16] In one such departure Ballem stripped the retiring Vancouver Park Board general manager, Susan Mundick, of all routine transitional duties.
[9] Ballem then stated she would help the park board choose Mundick's replacement, a selection process city hall traditionally had not been involved in.
[24] RPO Management Consultants, which Ballem served as a senior advisor, received an untendered $600,000 contract from eHealth Ontario.
[25] Sarah Kramer, former CEO of eHealth Ontario, was fired on June 7, 2009 over a scandal involving failing to open more than $5.5 million worth of contracts to competitive bids.