(Photo Credit: UCP)

By The Canadian Press

Provincial Politics

Premier Smith defends health minister amid scandal on health purchases

Feb 12, 2025 | 11:47 AM

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says Health Minister Adriana LaGrange has her full support as they navigate allegations of high-level government corruption in medical contracts.

Smith made the comment in response to questions from reporters while in Washington, D.C., with other premiers to lobby against U.S. tariffs.

She says she supports a review being done by Alberta’s auditor general and that government documents are being made available.

The controversy surrounds allegations made by Athana Mentzelopoulos, the former head of Alberta Health Services.

Mentzelopoulos, in a letter from her lawyer, says she was fired last month because she was investigating questionable deals, overpriced contracts and conflicts of interest that reached right into Smith’s office.

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The Opposition NDP says Smith and LaGrange need to step aside and a full judicial inquiry should be called to get to the bottom of the affair.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 12, 2025.