Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is facing growing scrutiny over allegations of political interference and conflicts of interest in contract awarding practices by Alberta Health Services (AHS). The former CEO of AHS has alleged pressure to approve private contracts, raising concerns about transparency and accountability within the province's healthcare system.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith maintains her confidence in Health Minister Adriana LaGrange despite swirling allegations of political interference and conflicts of interest in contract awarding practices by Alberta Health Services (AHS). Smith, speaking to reporters during a trip to Washington, D.C. with Canada's Premiers, revealed that she first learned of the allegations through media reports.
These allegations are detailed in a letter sent by the lawyer of former AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos to the Globe and Mail. The letter alleges that AHS faced pressure to approve private contracts and that Mentzelopoulos was dismissed two days before a scheduled meeting with the auditor general to discuss her concerns regarding private surgery facilities and procurement contracts.Smith expressed a desire to hear the auditor general's findings and stated that a shared file had been established to provide them with all necessary documents for their review. She emphasized the government's commitment to uncovering any wrongdoing and highlighted the importance of understanding why AHS might be hindering the surgical site initiative.The letter from Mentzelopoulos' lawyer outlines her claims of pressure exerted by various provincial officials, including Marshall Smith, then the premier's chief of staff, to approve contracts for private surgical facilities despite concerns about pricing and beneficiaries. The letter also raises allegations of a conflict of interest involving an AHS staffer who also held an email account with MHCare Medical. This medical supply company and its associated firms, led by CEO Sam Mraiche, have reportedly conducted $614 million in business with the province. MHCare Medical garnered significant attention after being awarded a $70-million contract to procure children's pain medication from Turkey in 2022, a deal that resulted in Alberta receiving only 30 percent of the order despite paying the full cost. AHS subsequently ceased using the received medication due to safety concerns. Following the medication contract, Mraiche provided luxury box tickets to Edmonton Oilers playoff games to multiple cabinet ministers and government personnel
ALBERTA POLITICS HEALTH SERVICES CONTRACTS CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION PREMIER AUDITOR GENERAL
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