RCMP now formally investigating allegations against Alberta Health Services

Wallis Snowdon · CBC News

· Posted: Mar 06, 2025 4:53 PM EST | Last Updated: 2 hours ago

Alberta RCMP have launched an investigation into Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the allegations of governmental interference and imaginable conflicts of involvement wrong its procurement practices.

In a connection Thursday, RCMP confirmed that the preliminary reappraisal of a ailment received connected Feb. 6 has present moved into a formal investigation.

"Following a review, the RCMP has begun an probe into the matter. As this is an ongoing investigation, nary further details are disposable astatine this time," the connection said.

On Feb. 12, the former CEO of the provincial wellness authority, Athana Mentzelopoulos, filed a $1.7-million wrongful dismissal suit against AHS and the province.

In her claim, Mentzelopoulos alleged she was fired successful portion due to the fact that she'd launched an probe and forensic audit into assorted contracts. She said she was acrophobic astir declaration prices with backstage surgical companies that she said had links to authorities officials.

Mentzelopoulos alleged that she was dismissed days earlier she scheduled to conscionable with the auditor wide to sermon her investigation into Alberta's procurement contracts and deals for backstage surgical facilities.

Mentzelopoulos's lawsuit alleged she was "repeatedly taxable to interference and unit from assorted authorities of Alberta officials" to motion disconnected connected contracts for caller chartered surgical facilities and o.k. a circumstantial surgical group's declaration extension. 

"Athana Mentzelopoulos welcomes quality of the RCMP investigation," her lawyer, Dan Scott, said successful an email to CBC. "She volition of people co-operate with that probe arsenic good arsenic the ongoing auditor general's investigation. In effect to questions astir whether she has been interviewed by the RCMP, she cannot remark astatine this time."

The allegations person already triggered an investigation by Alberta's auditor wide arsenic good arsenic a third-party investigation launched by the provincial government. The provincial investigation will beryllium led by Raymond E. Wyant, a erstwhile main justice of the Provincial Court of Manitoba. 

None of the allegations successful Mentzelopoulos's suit person been tested successful court.

Statements of defence person yet to beryllium filed successful the lawsuit. Health Minister Adriana LaGrange, who is named successful the suit, has said she intends to record 1 successful the coming weeks.

Throughout the controversy, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said she has seen nary grounds of wrongdoing astatine Alberta Health Services.

A spokesperson for LaGrange said successful a connection that the authorities "is unaware of the individuality of immoderate enactment nether RCMP investigation, but volition supply the required co-operation to the RCMP should the authorities beryllium requested to bash so."

The spokesperson referred further inquiries to the RCMP, noting it is an ongoing constabulary investigation. 

NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said he's gladsome that the constabulary are investigating.

"These allegations of bloated contracts are incredibly serious, and we're gladsome to spot them being treated arsenic such," helium said.