Smith says she knew of no wrongdoings; critics keep pressure on seeing multiple investigations occur

By Anna Smith SOUTHERN ALBERTA NEWSPAPERS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 11, 2025.

Premier Danielle Smith has responded to the allegations surrounding AHS procurement and contracting processes, though Alberta’s NDP and AUPE question if actions taken will be enough.
In a statement on Saturday, Smith said she had “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.”
“To that end, I will be writing Auditor General Doug Wylie to ask for an expedited review and his findings on this issue,” said Smith. “I have also directed my officials to ensure that any request for information from Mr. Wylie or his office is dealt with on a fully transparent and expedited basis. We need to get to the bottom of this issue quickly to identify any potential wrongdoing, correct it, and address it appropriately.”
She has also asked for the AHS internal review to be finished quickly and delivered to her, as well as for all contracting of surgical facilities under review to be paused until these findings are delivered.
While she says she has been unhappy with the level and quality of service delivered by AHS, she says that “as Premier, I was not involved in any wrongdoing.”
AUPE vice-president Curtis Jackson however, says the provincial employee union is disappointed by this response.
“These are serious allegations of backroom deals and inappropriate procurement practices,” said Jackson. “This is a scandal, and it’s the biggest one, in my recollection, since Alison Redford was providing her private plane to family members. It’s actually, I would say, even worse.”
He referenced back to the MHCare contract to procure children’s medication from Turkey in 2022, noting that CEO Sam Mraiche was “the fellow who provided luxury box tickets that the Premier and her cabinet ministers used in May 2024,” said Jackson.
While he added that none of these allegations have yet been proven, they have caused a massive break in faith with the union and the provincial government, one that “calls into question literally every decision that this government has made regarding health care over the last year, and that expands into and includes the splintering of health care into independent silos.”
Jackson called for the investigation to be handed over to the RCMP, and for the findings to be made available to the public, as opposed to being delivered to the province first, as he feels this is necessary for transparency in the face of these alleged dealings and questions into the motives behind the “actions of her government to privatize our health-care system.”
The sentiment was echoed by Christina Gray, House Leader of the Official Opposition, as she called for the UCP cabinet to act.
“(Tuesday), the cabinet is meeting and the UCP government must act. As a first step, Premier Danielle Smith and Health Minister Adriana LaGrange should step aside while investigations take place,” said Gray. “The Official Opposition has demanded accountability so that Danielle Smith cannot sweep these allegations under the rug. We have called for full and transparent investigations by the RCMP, the Auditor General and the Ethics Commissioner. A full public inquiry is needed.”
Gray encouraged the rest of the UCP cabinet to “put their cards on the table.”
“Do they stand for this kind of corrupt government, or will they show Albertans any ounce of accountability,” said Gray. “They can make that clear (Tuesday) by demanding the Premier and Minister step aside and allow all required investigations to take place.”

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