RCMP now formally investigating allegations against Alberta Health Services

Alberta RCMP have launched an investigation into Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the allegations of political interference and potential conflicts of interest within its procurement practices.

In a statement Thursday, RCMP confirmed that the preliminary review of a complaint received on Feb. 6 has now moved into a formal investigation.

"Following a review, the RCMP has begun an investigation into the matter. As this is an ongoing investigation, no further details are available at this time," the statement said.

On Feb. 12, the former CEO of the provincial health authority, Athana Mentzelopoulos, filed a $1.7-million wrongful dismissal lawsuit against AHS and the province.

In her claim, Mentzelopoulos alleged she was fired in part because she'd launched an investigation and forensic audit into various contracts. She said she was concerned about contract prices with private surgical companies that she said had links to government officials.

Mentzelopoulos alleged that she was dismissed days before she scheduled to meet with the auditor general to discuss her investigation into Alberta's procurement contracts and deals for private surgical facilities.

Mentzelopoulos's lawsuit alleged she was "repeatedly subject to interference and pressure from various government of Alberta officials" to sign off on contracts for new chartered surgical facilities and approve a specific surgical group's contract extension. 

"Athana Mentzelopoulos welcomes news of the RCMP investigation," her lawyer, Dan Scott, said in an email to CBC. "She will of course co-operate with that investigation as well as the ongoing auditor general's investigation. In response to questions about whether she has been interviewed by the RCMP, she cannot comment at this time."

The allegations have already triggered an investigation by Alberta's auditor general as well as a third-party investigation launched by the provincial government. The provincial investigation will be led by Raymond E. Wyant, a former chief judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba. 

None of the allegations in Mentzelopoulos's lawsuit have been tested in court.

Statements of defence have yet to be filed in the lawsuit. Health Minister Adriana LaGrange, who is named in the suit, has said she intends to file one in the coming weeks.

Throughout the controversy, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has said she has seen no evidence of wrongdoing at Alberta Health Services.

A spokesperson for LaGrange said in a statement that the government "is unaware of the identity of any party under RCMP investigation, but will provide the required co-operation to the RCMP should the government be requested to do so."

The spokesperson referred further inquiries to the RCMP, noting it is an ongoing police investigation. 

NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said he's glad that the police are investigating.

"These allegations of bloated contracts are incredibly serious, and we're glad to see them being treated as such," he said.