(Photo credit: UCP)

By The Canadian Press

Provincial Politics

LaGrange says third-party has been called to help investigate reports of government interference in medical contracts

Feb 11, 2025 | 5:19 PM

Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange says an unnamed third-party has been called to help investigate reports of high-level government interference in medical contracts.

The third party will assist in the review being conducted by Alberta Health Services, but the government says it retains overall control of the investigation.

Alberta Health Services and Alberta’s auditor general announced last week they are looking into health procurement.

The reviews were launched after the former head of Alberta Health Services claimed she was fired for raising the alarm on overpriced contracts with private surgical centres and suppliers.

The Opposition N-D-P wants a full public inquiry and an R-C-M-P investigation.

The N-D-P says Premier Danielle Smith’s government cannot be trusted to investigate itself.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 11, 2025.

Related: Office of the Minister of Health addresses AHS corruption allegations