2 weeks Ago By Ari Yanover
Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange on Thursday disputed claims from a former cabinet colleague that she misled a cabinet committee and rejected calls for her resignation over allegations of corruption within procurement at Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services (AHS). On Wednesday, former energy and infrastructure minister Peter Guthrie was ousted from the UCP’s caucus and tabled his Feb. 25 cabinet resignation letter as one of his first moves as an independent MLA.
The letter accused LaGrange of deceiving a health cabinet committee at a Jan. 30 meeting about when she, and “possibly” Premier Danielle Smith knew of procurement issues. A day later, LaGrange told reporters inside the legislature that Guthrie had mischaracterized what had happened in the committee meeting and denied misleading other ministers.
“The meeting was all about making sure that the interim (AHS) CEO could also be the official administrator,” LaGrange said, pointing to the government’s investigation led by a former Manitoba judge as well as the provincial auditor general’s own investigation. The RCMP is also investigating. “I’m really looking forward to the investigations getting into into the nitty gritty of what has gone on, on the procurement process, particularly around AHS.
” She also shrugged off suggestions she should step down from her cabinet role as demanded by Opposition New Democrats (NDP). “I will not resign,” she said. Guthrie, however, was not backing down, and in question period asked if withholding information from cabinet was considered a normal course of business.
“I didn’t step down because nothing happened,” he said. Earlier in question period, Smith echoed what LaGrange had told reporters about the Jan. 30 meeting.
“No one was deceived,” she said. “We were all concerned about the need for us to get to the bottom of why it was that AHS was signing contracts with charter surgical facilities that contain different prices for the same procedure at different facilities.” Guthrie’s resignation letter referenced Jobs, Economy, and Trade Minister Matt Jones as being the only other cabinet member who was dissatisfied with what Guthrie claims was “withholding pertinent decision-making details” from cabinet.
On Thursday, Jones cited cabinet confidentiality in declining to address the specifics of Guthrie’s note. “I have confidence in this government and cabinet,” he said during question period. “If those investigation produce information or evidence of wrongdoing that warrants further action, I and my cabinet and caucus colleagues will support further remedial action.
” The NDP and its leader Naheed Nenshi have been calling for judicial-led public inquiry, something Guthrie broke ranks with his then-UCP colleagues over and voted in favour of on Monday . “We have a guy who actually stood up for something, who stood up for integrity,” Nenshi said of Guthrie. “This government slaps you down if you stand up for Albertans.
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