Alberta Health Minister to Submit Response to Allegations against AHS

February 13, 2025 TruthUSA

Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange states that she will submit a statement of defence in response to allegations of government interference in medical contracts and procurement, asserting that many of the claims are inaccurate.

LaGrange addressed these allegations in a statement on Feb. 12, in reply to assertions of political interference made by former Alberta Health Services (AHS) CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos.

Mentzelopoulos claims that she faced pressure from Alberta government officials to finalize new agreements for private surgical centers and was removed from her position on Jan. 8 for initiating an internal investigation into AHS contracts and procurement practices.

Alberta Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi remarked that if the allegations are true, it would represent “the worst corruption Alberta has ever seen.”

The claims, detailed in a lawsuit filed by Mentzelopoulos this week, have not undergone legal scrutiny.

LaGrange mentioned that while some allegations require investigation, several are “clearly false.”

Upon initial review, a number of the allegations and statements made have been found to be patently false, while others will be further examined as part of the auditor general’s investigation and the Government’s internal review of the situation,” she explained.

“Given that I am a named defendant in this lawsuit, I will be submitting a thorough statement of defence shortly. I am eager to do so,” she added.

Following the emergence of the allegations, Alberta Auditor General Doug Wylie announced on Feb. 6 that a review of the procurement and contracting processes at the Ministry of Health and AHS will be conducted, citing concerns about possible conflicts of interest.

Wylie mentioned that the ongoing investigation, which might expand to other entities, focuses on chartered surgical facilities (CSFs), medications (ibuprofen or acetaminophen), and COVID-19 personal protective equipment. CSFs are private accredited establishments that offer publicly funded surgeries to enhance service availability and reduce wait times.

Nenshi has demanded an RCMP inquiry into the situation, as well as a public inquiry. “At the very least, the Premier and Health Minister should step aside to enable the investigations to proceed without political interference,” Nenshi stated in a Feb. 11 statement. “And if they wish to resign, that option should be on the table as well.”

LaGrange stated on Feb. 11 that the province will assign a third party to investigate the allegations, but did not provide further specifics.

“We will have an external entity handle it, and I am excited to release as much information as possible to the public so that they are aware of the situation,” LaGrange informed reporters at the legislature on Feb. 11.

“People have the right to know what is happening, and we are determined to ensure that they do.”

Health Care Overhaul

LaGrange indicated that Mentzelopoulos’ dismissal last month was part of a leadership reorganization linked to a prior announced overhaul of the health care system, transitioning AHS from a provincial health authority to a hospital service provider.

“The changes were unrelated to any investigations into chartered surgical facilities or other AHS procurements as alleged,” LaGrange affirmed.

Since November 2023, the Alberta government has been reorienting its healthcare system by establishing four organizations, each specializing in a distinct health sector: primary care, acute care, assisted living, and recovery.

The new structure, which will see AHS transformed into a service provider within the acute care sector, aims to decrease wait times and enhance healthcare accessibility, according to the Alberta government.

Citing the restructuring, the province dismissed the AHS board on Jan. 31, marking the second time in recent years. Deputy Health Minister Andre Tremblay was appointed by the province as the single administrator to oversee the smooth implementation of the health system refocusing initiative at AHS and ensure the agency’s seamless shift to an acute care service provider and hospital operator.

Tremblay also temporarily took over Mentzelopoulos’ duties following her dismissal while retaining his role as deputy health minister.

Premier Calls for Expedited Investigation

Premier Danielle Smith has refuted any involvement in misconduct and expressed her approval of the auditor general examining the matter.

“If there is wrongdoing, we need to get to the bottom of it,” Smith mentioned to reporters in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 12. “And if there isn’t, we must determine why AHS is impeding chartered surgical centers.”

Previously, the premier acknowledged that she has been dissatisfied with the quality of healthcare provided by AHS.

When questioned if she still has confidence in LaGrange, Smith responded affirmatively.

A few days after the allegations surfaced, the premier requested that the auditor general expedite the review, with the results sent directly to her. Nenshi criticized the move, arguing that “the investigation should not be delivered to those being investigated.”

AHS previously confirmed to The Epoch Times that it is conducting an internal review into the former CEO’s allegations and has paused awarding contracts to the surgical facilities involved in the interim.

The RCMP has not initiated an investigation yet, awaiting guidance from the auditor general, who is presently reviewing the case, as mentioned by an RCMP spokesperson to The Epoch Times on Feb. 12. “If it is deemed necessary for the RCMP to investigate, we will certainly do so,” the spokesperson stated.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.

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