The Smith UCP has announced a four-month delay in releasing the findings of a third-party investigation into procurement and contracting process used by Alberta Health Services and the government itself.
Whether the delay will impact the final outcome of the investigation remains to be seen.
What is known is that putting off the release of the interim and final reports until next fall has raised the ire of public interest advocates and heightened public uncertainty over the matter.
Former Alberta Health Services chief executive officer Athana Mentzelopoulos has alleged that the UCP government engaged in conflicts of interest surrounding multi-million-dollar deals for health products and surgical procedures. She has filed a $1.7 million lawsuit over the matter.
In March the Smith government announced the third-party investigation by Raymond Wyant, former chief justice of the provincial court of Manitoba.
The RCMP has also launched a separate investigation into the matter.
In announcing the delay in releasing of Wyant’s reports, Smith cabinet minister Christopher McPherson said, “Given the volume of documents and interview requests . . . I have extended the term of the investigation.”
The Friends of Medicare calls the delay wholly unacceptable.
“We deserve answers for how our public health care dollars have been spent,” said executive director Chris Gallaway. “It is clear the government is not serious about transparency or accountability.
“Enough with the political games, the government needs to stop dragging their heels and trying to sweep things under the rug. We need a public inquiry, full stop.”
Public Interest Alberta – which, according to its website, is a non-profit, non-partisan organization focused on advocacy of public interest issues – is also calling for a public inquiry.
“We have one simple question for the premier: Will you release your report and call a public inquiry before you call an early election?”
If premier Smith does decide to call an early election before the release of Wyant’s now-delayed interim and final reports, it could well turn the current situation into a full-blown public confidence crisis.
- Dan Singleton is an editor with the Albertan
