Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is under increasing pressure to resign amid allegations of political interference in Alberta Health Services (AHS). Former AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos claims she was fired in January shortly before meeting with the auditor general regarding concerns over health procurement contracts, including a controversial $75-million children’s medication deal and pressure to extend contracts for private surgical providers.
Mentzelopoulos alleges government officials, including Smith’s former chief of staff, Marshall Smith, repeatedly interfered in AHS decision-making. Health Minister Adriana LaGrange denies the CEO’s termination was linked to these issues, while investigations by the auditor general and the RCMP are ongoing.
The NDP and health groups are demanding transparency and accountability, calling for Smith to step down and for non-disclosure agreements to be lifted.