Alberta Health Minister Removed from Decision-Making in Interference Probe

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith Addresses Allegations of Interference in Health System

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced on Saturday that Health Minister Adriana LaGrange will be removed from decision-making related to investigations into allegations of government interference in the health system on behalf of private firms. However, LaGrange will remain in her role as Health Minister and continue to oversee the healthcare system overhaul, a key priority for the United Conservative Party.

The Premier's announcement comes after reports surfaced alleging that government officials pressured Alberta Health Services' former CEO, Athana Mentzelopoulos, to sign deals for private surgical facilities with potentially inflated payment terms. The Auditor-General is currently examining the contracting and procurement processes at Alberta Health Services and Alberta Health with respect to these facilities, pain medication for children, and COVID-19 personal protective equipment.

While LaGrange will remain in charge of the healthcare system overhaul, she will not be involved in any decisions related to the investigations. Premier Smith confirmed that Infrastructure Minister Peter Guthrie had demanded LaGrange's removal from the health portfolio, but this suggestion has not gained traction among cabinet and caucus members.

Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides and Advanced Education Minister Rajan Sawhney expressed their disagreement with Guthrie's demand, stating that the Premier's suggestion of expediting the Auditor-General's examination was a more appropriate course of action.

The government previously indicated that Alberta Health's investigation into Alberta Health Services would involve an external party. Premier Smith plans to provide more information on this next week.

The Premier has not yet addressed the allegations directly, except for a brief exchange with a reporter at a press conference with other Canadian premiers in Washington, D.C. Mentzelopoulos has expanded on her allegations in a lawsuit filed on Wednesday. LaGrange has stated her intention to file a statement of defence.

The Alberta government is in the midst of dismantling Alberta Health Services and replacing it with four organizations focused on specific parts of the healthcare system. Premier Smith has endorsed LaGrange's management of this process.

The government argues that chartered surgical facilities are more efficient and add capacity to the public healthcare system. Critics argue that while they can be valuable, their proliferation can sap the broader public system of crucial resources like surgical specialists.

Premier Smith has stated that the government needs to review Mentzelopoulos's allegations and address any potential wrongdoing. She also questioned why it has taken Alberta Health Services so long to finalize contracts awarded before her time in office.