Alberta premier pledges to ‘clean’ up any wrongdoing amid ongoing health services probe
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she has seen no evidence of wrongdoing at Alberta Health Services amid allegations of conflicts of interest within the provincial health authority.
Speaking from Washington Tuesday, Smith told reporters she supports an investigation by Alberta’s auditor general into how contracts are procured and awarded by AHS.
Smith said she first learned of the allegations when a report was published last week in The Globe and Mail.
Smith said she continues to have confidence in Alberta’s health minister, Adriana LaGrange, and looks forward to seeing the investigation completed.
No indication of wrongdoing, Smith says
“We’ve been asking for eight months for any — as I understand it from my health minister — for any indication of wrongdoing,” Smith said.
“We’ve not seen any. So I think we have to see if there’s any wrongdoing first, and if there is, then we have to clean it up.”
Alberta’s auditor general, Doug Wylie, has launched an investigation into procurement and contracting processes within the province’s health authority to address “concerns or allegations related to contracting and potential conflicts of interest.”
Wylie announced the review last week after AHS’s fired CEO alleged there was political interference within the agency.
The probe began days before The Globe and Mail reported on a letter from the lawyer of Athana Mentzelopoulos, who was fired as AHS’s chief executive officer one year into a four-year term.
Mentzelopoulos said she had been dismissed days before she was scheduled to meet with the auditor general to discuss her own investigation into procurement contracts and deals for private surgical facilities.
In the letter, Mentzelopoulos said she faced pressure and interference from government officials.
Mentzelopoulos also claimed that the province pressured her to renew surgical contracts.
CBC News has read the letter that Mentzelopoulos sent to AHS and verified its contents. Mentzelopoulos has not commented on her claims.
Smith has described the allegations as troubling and has said she will ask Wylie’s office to expedite the review.
On Tuesday, Smith said provincial government officials continue to co-operate with the ongoing probe.
“We’re interested in hearing what the auditor general has to say,” Smith said Tuesday.
“We’ve already set up a shared file so that they can get all of the documents that we have to see if there is any wrongdoing.
“If there is wrongdoing, we’d like to get to the bottom of it.”
In a statement Saturday, Smith said she would also urge AHS to complete its internal review of the allegations as quickly as possible. An independent third party will be brought in to assist in the internal review being conducted by AHS.
Until the findings are delivered, AHS has paused the contracting for the surgical facilities under review.
Smith, who is in Washington D.C. with other premiers this week to campaign against the threat of tariffs, is expected to return to Alberta on Thursday.
View original article here Source
Amazon.ca Gift Card in a Mini Envelope (Various Designs)
$10.00 (as of February 8, 2025 18:58 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Sunzel Workout Leggings for Women, High Waisted Tummy Control Yoga Pants for Workout Gym Running 28" Inseam
$23.99 (as of February 8, 2025 18:58 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Invisible Ring Size Adjuster for Loose Rings Ring Adjuster Fit Any Rings, Assorted Sizes of Ring Sizer (8 PCS)
$11.99 (as of February 8, 2025 18:58 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Botanic Hearth Castor Oil | USDA Certified Organic |100% Pure & Hexane Free | Cold Pressed | for Eyelashes,…
$11.97 (as of February 8, 2025 18:58 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Amazon.ca eGift Card (Instant Email or Text Delivery)
$50.00 (as of February 8, 2025 18:58 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Hanes mens 6pk Sport Cuts Crew SocksAthletic Socks
$16.97 (as of February 8, 2025 18:58 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Royale Velour Toilet Paper, 12 Equal 24 Rolls, 142 Bathroom Tissues per roll
$7.97 (as of February 8, 2025 18:58 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of…
$29.99 (as of February 8, 2025 18:58 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Girl Moments: Coloring Book for Adults and Teens Featuring…
$11.48 (as of February 8, 2025 18:58 GMT -06:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)