How province kept rein on health contracting, despite what Danielle Smith says – CBC
With orders and formal structures, province’s influence on AHS procurement predated current health minister
Mar 18, 2025
The provincial government has for years kept a hand in the contracting-out of private surgeries through Alberta Health Services, despite repeated comments by the premier and health minister that any potential issues with procurement are AHS’s own responsibility.
Multiple documents obtained by CBC News show direct interventions by Alberta’s health minister into AHS contracting matters, as well as entities specifically set up to give the health ministry more oversight and influence in recruiting and dealing with private contractors.
The RCMP, auditor general and the government itself have launched investigations into AHS contracting in the wake of allegations made by former AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos, including those in a wrongful dismissal lawsuit.
Statements of defence from both Health Minister Adriana LaGrange and the agency say Mentzelopoulos was terminated not because she was investigating contracting issues, but because she was failing to carry out her duties.
