Could Danielle Smith Be on the Verge of Resignation? Allegations of Corruption Rock Alberta’s UCP Government

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is facing mounting political pressure as serious allegations of political interference and corruption within Alberta Health Services (AHS) emerge. With the firing of AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos and the removal of the entire AHS Board, questions are swirling about whether Smith’s leadership is in jeopardy.

The UCP’s Control Over Alberta Health Services

To understand the controversy, it’s important to recognize that Danielle Smith’s government directly appoints all AHS Board members. While the Board is technically responsible for hiring the CEO, the government plays a dominant role in the selection process.

Since Smith took office in October 2022, AHS has cycled through three different CEOs and witnessed two full Board dismissals, raising concerns over instability and political interference in Alberta’s health system.

The Timeline of the Scandal

• January 8, 2025: AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos is fired by the provincial government.

• End of January 2025: The entire AHS Board is dismissed.

• February 5, 2025: The Globe and Mail breaks the story that Mentzelopoulos was scheduled to meet with Alberta’s Auditor General just two days after her termination.

Why Was the CEO Meeting With the Auditor General?

According to The Globe and Mail, Mentzelopoulos was conducting an internal investigation and forensic audit into AHS contracts and procurement practices.

In a letter from her legal counsel, she alleges that she was pressured by government officials, including Danielle Smith’s chief of staff, to approve contracts well above market value. She also raised concerns about the true ownership of the companies receiving these contracts.

A $75 Million Contract and a $600 Million Scandal

The first major red flag came with a $75 million contract awarded to MHCare, a company tasked with acquiring children’s pain medication from Turkey. The medication was only partially received, and largely unusable.

Now, new reports suggest that MHCare was awarded over $600 million in AHS contracts, raising concerns over who truly benefits from these deals.

The AHS Board’s Shocking Recommendation

Perhaps the most damaging revelation in this scandal is that when Mentzelopoulos reported her findings to the AHS Board, they allegedly advised her to take her concerns to the RCMP.

Shortly after, the entire AHS Board was removed, leading to speculation that the government was attempting to bury the scandal before it could escalate further.

Could Danielle Smith Resign?

With the opposition calling for investigations, the public demanding answers, and the possibility of an RCMP probe looming, Smith’s government is in crisis mode.

If the allegations of corruption and political interference hold up, the pressure on Danielle Smith to resign could become overwhelming in the hours and days to come.

This story is still developing. Stay tuned.

Source- colenotcole.substack.com