Serious Allegations from Former CEO of Alberta Health Services: What You Need to Know

News

Your Union will always stand up for you and for public health care. 

That’s why you may have seen your president, Mike Parker, in the news talking about serious allegations brought forward by legal counsel representing Athana Mentzelopoulos, the former Alberta Health Services (AHS) CEO, who was recently fired by the Government of Alberta. 

Our comments have made headlines. See them here, here and here.  

But what’s really happening? And what does this story mean for you on the frontlines of health care? 

HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING

On February 6, HSAA called for an immediate, independent investigation into Alberta’s for-profit surgical contracts after a bombshell report from The Globe and Mail revealed serious allegations of political interference in health care procurement. 

The report claims that the government fired former AHS CEO, Athana Mentzelopoulos after she launched an internal investigation into questionable contracts awarded under the Alberta Surgical Initiative (ASI) to for-profit surgical operators with connections to government officials.  

This is now under investigation by the Auditor General of Alberta, and AHS has “paused” signing new for-profit surgical contracts pending an internal review. 

WHY HSAA SPOKE OUT

If these allegations are true, it’s clear: the government is prioritizing for-profit interests over fair wages for you and a strong, public system. We will not stand for that.  

Your Union is demanding accountability and transparency. We’re calling for an end to for-profit deals that undermine the wages of frontline professionals like you who are holding the health system together.  

WHAT ARE THE FACTS?

Let’s break through the legalese. Here are the key facts that are now under investigation: 

  • AHS, under Ms. Mentzelopoulos direction, was investigating how contracts were awarded to for-profit surgical facilities, including Alberta Surgical Group (ASG) and health care suppliers like MHCare.
  • Mentzelopoulos was scheduled to take her concerns to the Auditor General on January 10, 2025. She was fired on January 8, 2025.
  • After reportedly recommending that Mentzelopoulos take her findings to the RCMP, the AHS Board of Directors was dismissed on January 31, 2025.
  • The Auditor General of Alberta has launched a probe into how AHS and Alberta Health awarded private contracts for surgical facilities and medical supplies.

WHAT IS BEING ALLEGED?

Mentzelopoulos’ lawyer has laid out a series of shocking claims now under investigation and have not been proven. We are sharing them with you to help you understand what is being alleged and we are not asserting they are true. That is why we want an independent investigation. 

  • Gross political meddling in health care: Premier Danielle Smith’s former Chief of Staff pressured AHS to approve for-profit surgical contracts, including an extension for ASG, despite her significant concerns, which include:
    • Higher costs to Albertans.
    • Paying for health services that were never delivered.
    • No accountability or transparency from ASG.
  • Serious conflicts of interest in procurement: MHCare did $614 million in business with AHS. In 2022, the government paid them $75 million upfront for pediatric pain medication from Turkey, but only 30 per cent of the shipment arrived. AHS stopped using it due to safety concerns.
    • An AHS procurement official had an email address at MHCare while negotiating procurement deals for the province.
    • High-ranking government officials, including cabinet ministers and staff of Premier Danielle Smith, accepted luxury box seats to NHL games from MHCare.
  • Firings to bury the dirt: Mentzelopoulos was fired two days before she was scheduled to meet with the Auditor General. The entire AHS Board was also removed after recommending the findings be reported to the RCMP.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Right now, over 80,000 Albertans are waiting for surgery.  

Instead of investing in supporting frontline professionals in the public system, this story shows that the Government of Alberta was allegedly focused on backroom deals at the expense of patient care. 

The Alberta Surgical Initiative is a costly failure. For-profit health care hasn’t reduced wait times—it’s driving up costs while taking resources from public hospitals. 

Research from the Parkland Institute and Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) have found: 

  • For-profit surgical facilities cost more than public hospitals.
  • These facilities poach staff from the public system, making shortages worse.
  • They create inefficiencies and increase risks for patients. 

Your Union has raised concerns that the push for massive restructuring in Alberta’s health care system accelerates the privatization of health services, worsening the short-staffing crisis that’s hurting you on the frontlines.  

This story is a realization of our worst fears. Instead of sending millions to for-profit clinics, Alberta should invest in public hospitals, invest in retention and recruitment, and start paying frontline health professionals a fair wage! 

WANT TO TAKE ACTION? 

  • Talk to your co-workers about this story.
  • Follow HSAA on social media and share our updates. 

Questions? Contact: Matt Dykstra, Communications Officer: MDykstra@hsaa.ca