Alberta auditor general probing procurement and contracting processes within health authority | CBC News
Alberta’s auditor general has launched an investigation into procurement and contracting processes within the province’s health authority to address “concerns or allegations related to contracting and potential conflicts of interest.”
In a statement Thursday, Auditor General Doug Wylie said his probe within the department of health and Alberta Health Services is ongoing.
News of the investigation comes after the Globe and Mail reported on a series of allegations about contracting and conflict of interest.
The newspaper says it has obtained a letter from the lawyer of Athana Mentzelopoulos, who was recently terminated as AHS’s chief executive officer. The allegations — contained in the letter from Mentzelopoulos’s lawyer — included claims of political interference and allegations that Mentzelopoulos had been dismissed days before she scheduled to meet with the auditor general to discuss her own investigation into Alberta’s procurement contracts and deals for private surgical facilities.
CBC has been unable to obtain a copy of the letter, which alleged wrongful dismissal, or reach Mentzelopoulos for comment. AHS has not responded to requests for comment.
In his statement Thursday, Wylie said his probe will focus on AHS but may extend to other organizations beyond the health ministry and Alberta Health Services.
“I recently commenced an examination of the procurement and contracting processes at the Department of Health and Alberta Health Services,” Wylie said in a statement provided to CBC News.
“At this time, the examination pertains to chartered surgical facilities, medication (ibuprofen or acetaminophen), and COVID-19 personal protection equipment.”
According to Wylie’s statement, the investigation will also examine the effectiveness of management and control processes — including governance and oversight — “ensuring value for Albertans.”
The Alberta government terminated Mentzelopoulos as Alberta Health Service’s chief executive on Jan. 8.
More to come.
