Alberta’s government has announced the receipt of a final report on Wednesday regarding an investigation into alleged corruption surrounding health contracts. The report, compiled by former Manitoba judge Raymond Wyant, focuses on multimillion-dollar contracts related to children’s medication and surgeries conducted by for-profit entities. Premier Danielle Smith mentioned during a separate news conference on Wednesday that while the report had not yet been formally presented to the government, it is expected to be made public “in a few days.” A spokesperson for the province later confirmed the report’s reception.
The investigation aimed to assess whether personnel within the health ministry, Alberta Health Services, or the contracted companies appropriately disclosed and managed potential conflicts of interest. The allegations arose from a wrongful dismissal lawsuit filed by Athana Mentzelopoulos, the former head of Alberta Health Services earlier this year. The lawsuit triggered additional inquiries by the RCMP and Alberta’s auditor general, which are still ongoing without specific completion dates.
Premier Smith highlighted that the RCMP had not contacted her or her office during their investigation. She expressed anticipation for Wyant’s insights as a former judge, believing he could provide perspectives on potential criminal misconduct. Mentzelopoulos’ lawsuit claims undue interference in costly agreements with private surgical companies and medical suppliers by government officials during her tenure. These claims, untested in court, have been refuted by the United Conservative Party government led by Premier Smith.
Originally scheduled for June 30, Wyant’s final report deadline was extended due to the extensive documentation and interviews required for the investigation. The Opposition NDP has criticized the investigation’s scope, advocating for a comprehensive public inquiry to uncover the truth behind the allegations.