Allegations of corruption in Alberta health contracts has NDP demanding investigation

Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi is calling for four investigations and for Premier Danielle Smith to answer questions on what he calls unprecedented allegations of high-level corruption into medical purchases and surgery contracts.

Nenshi says the premier, Health Minister Adriana LaGrange and Andre Tremblay, the head of the day-to-day running of the health system, must all step down while investigators, including the RCMP, get to the bottom of the scandal.

Nenshi made the remarks following a report by the Globe and Mail citing a letter from a lawyer for Athana Mentzelopoulos, who was fired last month as CEO of Alberta Health Services.

The letter accuses the United Conservative Party government of wide-ranging corruption, including inflating contracts for private surgery providers, conflicts of interest and firing Mentzelopoulos because she tried to investigate.

Alberta faces criticism contracting orthopedic surgeries to private company

02:05

Alberta faces criticism contracting orthopedic surgeries to private company

05:03

Alberta to fund private facilities as part of surgery backlog strategy

01:29

3,000 orthopedic surgeries to be contracted to private surgical facilities in Alberta

01:48

New orthopedic centre in Edmonton to relieve surgical wait times

01:31

Alberta government increases funding for more cataract surgeries in private facilities

02:01

Alberta throne speech reveals goal of doubling private surgeries in public health-care system

01:46

UCP government forging ahead with surgery backlog plan that includes private facilities

01:59

Alberta to expand use of privately run day clinics to ramp up surgeries by 150%

01:16

Alberta to streamline approvals for new private clinics to boost surgeries

01:48

UCP to lean on private clinics to help cut surgery wait times in Alberta

02:16

Alberta government announces plans to reduce surgery wait times

Smith did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Alberta Health issued a statement saying the recent personnel and board changes at Alberta Health Services were part of a planned Feb. 1 transition of AHS into a service provider under the newly constituted Acute Care Alberta agency.

“As to the allegations made by the outgoing CEO, Alberta Health Services is reviewing them, but the interpretation that her termination was due to AHS’s review of certain procurement decisions are false. We understand that AHS has been reviewing these procurement decisions and processes and that work will continue until it is completed,” a spokesperson for LaGrange said.

Auditor General Doug Wylie said on Thursday he has recently commenced an examination of the procurement and contracting processes at the department of health and Alberta Health Services.

“At this time, the examination pertains to chartered surgical facilities, medication (ibuprofen or acetaminophen), and COVID-19 personal protection equipment.”

The Auditor General said the examination is looking at the effectiveness of management and control processes—including governance and oversight—ensuring value for Albertans while addressing concerns or allegations related to contracting and potential conflicts of interest.

“If necessary, the examination may extend to other organizations,” his news release said.

The health ministry said it welcomed Alberta’s Auditor General to review whether AHS procurement practices were properly followed in these matters and will fully cooperate with that office as they do so.

“Until these reviews are completed, we will not be commenting further on this matter as it is an ongoing AHS Human Resource issue and a review by an independent officer of the Legislature.”

Neither Global News or The Canadian Press has read the letter, but Nenshi says he has seen relevant parts.

— More to come…

— With files from Karen Bartko, Global News