RCMP Alberta confirmed with Public Interest Alberta on Thursday that they are formally investigating Alberta Health Services following a complaint filed earlier in February. The complaint made several allegations of corruption with respect to Alberta Health Services procurement, and the RCMP refused to provide further information given the active investigation.
The investigation follows the former CEO of Alberta Health Services, Athana Mentzelopolous, suing the province for damages of CAD 1.7 million for wrongful dismissal. Her claim alleged that the government interfered improperly with health services procurement. She further claimed that her dismissal came about earlier this January after she began investigating evidence of inflated contracts for private clinic surgeries.
The Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith, acknowledged the troubling allegations but insisted in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that she had no knowledge of any corruption and had partaken in no criminal activity. Premier Danielle Smith also added that she asked the auditor to expedite his findings on the corruption accusations. Relatedly, Alberta Health Services has paused contracting for the surgical facilities under review.
The Alberta government also appointed the former chief judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba, Raymond Wyant, to lead the investigation into the grievances against the Alberta Health Services. The report is set to conclude by June 2025, with Wyant meeting with the Premier at the conclusion of his report to discuss improvements, plans and how to move forward after his findings are revealed.
However, given that the scope of the investigation is limited by the Premier’s mandate, the effectiveness and impartiality of Wyant’s investigation are called into question. For this reason, Public Interest Alberta invited the RCMP to intervene under the Public Inquiries Act, which grants commissioners the power to compel evidence from witnesses and inspect public buildings with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.