Alberta NDP demands probe into allegations of sweeping corruption in health contracts

EDMONTON — Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi is calling for four investigations and for Premier Danielle Smith to answer questions on what he calls unprecedented allegations of high-level corruption into medical purchases and surgery contracts.

Nenshi says the premier, Health Minister Adriana LaGrange and Andre Tremblay, the head of the day-to-day running of the health system, must all step down while investigators, including the RCMP, get to the bottom of the scandal.

Nenshi made the remarks following a report by the Globe and Mail citing a letter from a lawyer for Athana Mentzelopoulos, who was fired last month as CEO of Alberta Health Services.

The letter accuses the United Conservative Party government of wide-ranging corruption, including inflating contracts for private surgery providers, conflicts of interest and firing Mentzelopoulos because she tried to investigate.

Smith and LaGrange did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Canadian Press has not been seen the letter, but Nenshi says he has seen relevant parts.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 6, 2025.

Lisa Johnson and Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press