Some very expensive hockey tickets
Many people in Alberta realized that Ministers, and the Premier, going to playoff games with tickets provided by someone who had secured multi-million dollar contracts with the Alberta government didn’t seem right.
We knew Smith and the rest of her Executive Council had loosened rules on receiving gifts for MLAs and their staff. We knew that Smith and Executive Council had decided they could accept gifts from people who live off government contracts; but even we didn’t know how well.
Perks and Recreation: UCP celebrates relaxed conflict of interest rules in style
Alberta’s resident conservative dicta-bird assures us there’s nothing to see here — after all, it came straight from the Premier herself.
In a bombshell report from Carrie Tait at the Globe and Mail — a Canadian-owned publication — we learn that the person who was handing out thousands and thousands of dollars of playoff tickets, and attending those games with the Premier in Vancouver, didn’t just broker the sham Turkish Tylenol deal, or the subpar masks for frontline workers — they’ve also received more than $500 million in other Alberta Health Services contracts, with premium prices not being offered to other suppliers.
This story is only just heating up, believe it or not.
After Danielle Smith became Premier by winning the UCP leadership contest, she kept her promises to go after former Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Deena Hinshaw, and replace the AHS Board.
That board relieved eight executives including its CEO, who had only been appointed earlier that year after Dr. Verna Yiu, who was CEO during the pandemic, was replaced.
Health Minister Adriana LaGrange announced a new AHS board in November of 2023 which included a former PC Cabinet Minister, as well as three Deputy Ministers; they were fired January 31.
AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos, who was hired in December of 2023, was also relieved of her position January 9, just days before she was set to give a report to the Auditor General on procurement practices, according to Tait.
Further, Tait says the report was made known to the Board on December 19, and they recommended Mentzelopoulos’ findings be shared with the RCMP.
Then they were all fired.
Seems legit.
It may be time for those with more FOIP funding available to really get into the weeds about what’s going on in Alberta’s health system.
UPDATED 12:56pm
Alberta’s Leader of the Opposition Naheed Nenshi responded to the above today, and said that he has never seen something like this in an Alberta government, and stated he will be formally asking for a judicial-led public inquiry into the matter.
He also added that Christina Gray, who performs the role of opposition leader in the House, will be asking for three investigations: through the RCMP, the Ethics Commissioner, the Auditor General.
“This is much too big to sweep under the rug; we need to hear from the Premier on this today. Adriana LaGrange needs to get on the first plane from her prayer meeting in Washington and come back to answer these allegations,” Nenshi said.
When asked about the role of chief of staff, since Danielle Smith’s chief of staff, Marshall Smith (no relation), was also removed from his role in October, Nenshi said that he’s had two chiefs of staffs as mayor, and has someone working in the role now.
“The chief of staff only works on their principal’s direction. They are the right hand. There’s only two possibilities here; the Premier knew and she needs to resign. Two, she didn’t know, and she’s more incompetent than we thought she was, and should resign.”
And now, we wait.
UPDATED 1:45pm
”On Jan. 20, her lawyer sent the health authority a letter detailing allegations that government officials pressuring her to inflate contracts for private surgical facilities and also that the government ordered her to end her own investigation into those issues,” Globe and Mail update.
1:52pm
Statement from Alberta’s Auditor General
“I recently commenced an examination of the Procurement and Contracting Processes at the Department of Health and Alberta Health Services,” said Auditor General Doug Wylie.
“At this time, the examination pertains to Chartered Surgical Facilities, Medication (ibuprofen or acetaminophen), and COVID-19 Personal Protection Equipment.”
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.
If necessary, the examination may extend to other organizations.
Women of ABpoli is a reader-powered publication. Thanks to everyone who reads, shares, and becomes a free subscriber. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to keep this content available for everyone.
I find it ironic that the AB gov has chosen to open the door to some level of corruption by elected and appointed officials through receiving gifts when her mentor DT has musk purging the US public service under the guise of removing corruption, particularly when the level of transparency is almost non existent. There are lines elected officials and the public service cannot cross and this is a very basic one.
Worst provincial premier ever, and that's saying something.