Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is denying any involvement in alleged political interference at Alberta Health Services as the province’s auditor general investigates procurement practices at the health authority.
Smith issued a statement on Saturday responding to allegations that her government pressured AHS to approve private healthcare contracts following the firing of AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos just days before she was allegedly set to meet with Auditor General Doug Wylie.
“I have read various media stories containing allegations regarding the procurement and contracting processes of AHS. They are troubling allegations and they should be reviewed as quickly as possible,” Smith said.
The Globe and Mail reported the allegations against Smith and her government based on a letter the news organization said it had obtained. One of the allegations claims Mentzelopoulos was pressured into signing new deals for chartered surgical facilities.
Smith said she would write to the auditor general to request an expedited and transparent review of the findings.
Smith also requested an internal review from Alberta Health Services. Until the findings from that review are given to Smith, contracting for surgical facilities is paused.
“As Premier, I was not involved in any wrongdoing. Any insinuation to the contrary is false, baseless and defamatory,” said Smith.
The entire Alberta Health Services board was dismissed on Jan. 31.
The Health Sciences Association of Alberta, a progressive union representing around 30,000 healthcare professionals, is calling for an immediate and independent investigation into contracts awarded to private surgical facilities following the allegations.
“The evidence is clear—for-profit surgical facilities are not the answer. They poach staff from public hospitals, create inefficiencies, and cost more than publicly delivered care,” said association president Mike Parker. “Instead of expanding this broken model, the government should be reinvesting in our public hospitals and health care professionals ensuring stable, well-funded surgical programs that serve all Albertans, not finding a way to give sweetheart deals to corporations taking a cut out of public health care.”
In Saskatchewan, private clinics reduced wait times by 47% between 2010 and 2014, according to a Fraser Institute study.
Wylie confirmed on Feb. 6 that he had already begun reviewing the procurement and contracting process at the AHS.
“The examination is looking at the effectiveness of management and control processes — including governance and oversight — ensuring value for Albertans while addressing concerns or allegations related to contracting and potential conflicts of interest,” said Wylie, adding the investigation could extend to other organizations if necessary.
Wylie’s reports will be publicly available after they are tabled in the Legislative Assembly.
The Alberta government completely overhauled the province’s healthcare system last summer.
Smith said it’s no secret she has been displeased with the level, quality, and timeliness of service the AHS delivered to Albertans.
The healthcare system has struggled nationwide. A previous report highlighted that Canada ranked ninth out of 10 high-income peers. Canada fell behind the mean for access to care, administrative efficiency, and equity while ranking dead last in timeliness.
“I will continue to relentlessly push forward to make improvements. Although that has required difficult decisions and major change, I do not accept the current results,” said Smith. “There is a widespread and deep-seated resistance to change that we must overcome.”
“That’s my goal: better healthcare for all.”
