OLDS - MLAs for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills and Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre, both say they eagerly await the results of an auditor general’s investigation into provincial government corruption alleged by the former Alberta Health Service (AHS) chief executive officer that has now resulted in the resignation of a cabinet minister.
Athana Mentzelopoulos has alleged that the UCP government engaged in conflicts of interest surrounding multi-million-dollar deals for health products and surgical procedures. She alleges she was fired for conducting her own investigation. She has filed a $1.7 million lawsuit in the matter.
The United Conservative Party MLA for Airdrie-Cochrane, Peter Guthrie, who is also the minister of Alberta Infrastructure, told cabinet last week that Health Minister Adriana LaGrange should be moved to a different portfolio while the auditor's investigation is going on.
On Tuesday, Feb. 25 Guthrie resigned his position.
Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Nathan Cooper, who is the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, told the 51黑料, “A number of the allegations made by former chief executive officer of Alberta Health Service are very serious and I think it is very important the government get to the bottom of all the issue.
“I am pleased to hear the auditor general is looking into these allegations and look forward to the result of his investigation.”
Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre MLA Jason Nixon, who is the minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services, told the 51黑料, “I, alongside the premier and my colleagues, welcome the independent investigation by the auditor general and the third party review of the matter.
“I look forward to seeing the results of these reviews and I fully support the steps being taken by Premier Smith.”
In a press conference on Feb. 19, Premier Danielle Smith said, “Those allegations are serious and they are being investigated. Our government will support the auditor general’s office in any way it can to expedite his investigation and I’m confident that he will be to the bottom of the allegations.”
Official Opposition Leader Naheed Nenshi is calling for a public inquiry.
“We need a public inquiry to get to the bottom of this CorruptCare scandal,” he said. “We need the premier, the minister of health, the minister of mental health and addictions, and the acting CEO of AHS to step aside to ensure fairness during these investigations.
“And we need to pause all procurement on these private surgical centres and re-open shuttered public operating rooms to really start cutting wait times.”
MLA Nixon says the government “will not allow anyone in AHS management, the NDP and others who want to protect the status quo try to intimidate us or disrupt the progress our government has made.
“As to the allegations made by the outgoing CEO, it is important to remember that they are being made in the context of a demand letter for $1.7 million. The interpretation that her termination was due to AHS’s review of certain procurement decisions is false.”
Chris Gallaway, executive director of Friends of Medicare, said, “We deserve real transparency and accountability from our elected officials, but we didn’t get that today (Feb. 19). Instead we got a rant defending privatization, with no concrete actions towards accountability.”
