Alberta RCMP Opens Probe Into AHS Allegations

The RCMP logo is seen outside the force's 'E' division headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on March 16, 2023. The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

The Alberta RCMP has launched an investigation into complaints related to the province’s health agency, adding to ongoing inquiries into allegations of government interference in health procurements.

In addition to the RCMP probe, the allegations are also being investigated by Alberta’s auditor general and in a third-party review by the province.

Alberta RCMP told The Epoch Times last month it was awaiting guidance from Alberta’s auditor general Doug Wylie on whether the allegations related to medical contracting warranted police investigation. Wylie on Feb. 6 announced a review of provincial government and Alberta Health Services (AHS) procurement practices to address concerns “related to contracting and potential conflicts of interest.”

The RCMP is now investigating complaints related to AHS, the agency said in a March 6 update.

“On February 6, 2025, the RCMP received a complaint relating to Alberta Health Services,” RCMP spokesperson Christina Zoernig said in an emailed statement. “Following a review, the RCMP has begun an investigation into the matter.”

The investigation follows allegations made by former AHS head Athana Mentzelopoulos and filed in a lawsuit last month, alleging she was removed from her position on Jan. 8 because she had launched an internal investigation into AHS procurement practices.

She also says she was pressured by Alberta government officials to sign new deals for chartered surgical facilities, which are private health-care facilities approved by the province to perform publicly-funded surgeries. The allegations haven’t been tested in court.

The province’s health ministry says the government will collaborate with the RCMP investigation as needed.

“The [government of Alberta] is unaware of the identity of any party under RCMP investigation, but will provide the required cooperation to the RCMP should the government be requested to do so,” health ministry spokesperson Jessi Rampton said in a statement.

“We refer any further inquiries regarding this matter to the RCMP as it would be entirely inappropriate for the Government to comment on an ongoing police investigation.”

Alberta Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi, who has been calling for an RCMP investigation and a public inquiry into the matter since the allegations first emerged, said he welcomed the probe.

“We are happy the RCMP is investigating the [AHS] scandal,” Nenshi said in a March 6 social media post. “These allegations of bloated contracts are incredibly serious.”

The auditor general’s review currently pertains to chartered surgical facilities, medication (ibuprofen or acetaminophen), and COVID-19 personal protection equipment, Wylie said last month, adding that the review may extend to other organizations.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who has denied involvement in procurement decisions or any wrongdoing, requested last month that the auditor general’s investigation be expedited.

“We need to get to the bottom of this issue quickly to identify any potential wrongdoing, correct it, and address it appropriately,” Smith said in a Feb. 8 social media post, commenting on the allegations for the first time.

“It’s no secret I have been unhappy with the level and quality of service delivered by AHS and in the inability of AHS to deliver quality and timely healthcare to Albertans.”

Third-Party Review

The provincial government appointed Raymond E. Wyant, former chief judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba, earlier this week to lead a “credible, independent, third-party” investigation into procurement practices by Alberta Health and AHS.

His review will proceed alongside the auditor general’s examination and the RCMP investigation.

Wyant will review relevant legislation, regulations, and policies related to health contracting in the province, and assess issues such as “whether or not any elected official, Government of Alberta or AHS employee, or other individuals, acted improperly during the procurement processes.”

Wyant will also assess whether those involved in procurements properly disclosed and investigated potential conflicts of interest, according to the province.

Wyant will deliver an interim written report by May 30 and a final report by June 30. The final report will be made public.

Health Care Restructuring

The Alberta government since 2023 has been working on an overhaul of the health-care system that will see AHS transition from a provincial health authority to a hospital service provider. Under the new model, the province will establish four organizations, each dedicated to a specific health sector: primary care, acute care, assisted living, and recovery.

Citing the restructuring, the province replaced Mentzelopoulos as AHS head on Jan. 8 with Andre Tremblay, the former deputy minister of health.  The province dismissed the AHS board on Jan. 31 and appointed Tremblay as the single administrator, marking the second time an AHS board was removed in recent years.

The province later reassigned Tremblay, removing him from his role as deputy health minister while retaining his position at AHS, citing concerns that cabinet was not “comfortable with the mingled role.”

AHS told The Epoch Times last month it had launched an internal review of its procurement practices related to the allegations raised by the former head, and that it had stopped awarding contracts to the parties involved in that review. AHS spokesperson Holly Budd did not respond to an inquiry on the status of the review by publication time.

Alberta Infrastructure Minister Peter Guthrie resigned from cabinet last week, citing concerns about the provincial government’s procurement practices across all departments. In his Feb. 25 resignation letter, he said he would return to caucus as a private member “where I can continue to voice my concerns and hold Cabinet accountable with honesty and integrity.”

Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange has said many of the former AHS head’s allegations are “clearly false” and plans to file a statement of defence.