Alberta premier dodges questions on RCMP case after Edmonton announcement
Posted March 7, 2025 4:41 pm.
Last Updated March 8, 2025 11:29 am.
Alberta’s premier avoided questions on an RCMP probe into Alberta Health Services (AHS) following a downtown Edmonton press conference Friday, walking away from journalists and leaving abruptly in a black SUV.
That came a day after the Mounties announced an investigation into the agency connected to allegations involving health contracts, government interference, and kickbacks, including free hockey tickets for the premier and other ministers.
READ MORE: Alberta government commits millions for event space near Edmonton Oilers arena
Danielle Smith received one question on the matter during the formal press conference. A reporter asked if she has any regrets over how this scandal is playing out — now that police are on the case — but she didn’t directly answer or comment on the RCMP investigation.
“Well, I’ll tell you what the main dispute is about. It’s really about whether we should be having alternative service providers giving service to Albertans or not,” said Smith.
“We’ll let the process play out. We have the (auditor general) looking at it, we have a retired judge from Manitoba looking into, and if they have advice for us, we’ll be implementing that advice.”
CityNews emailed the premier’s office Thursday afternoon for a response to the RCMP probe but none has been received. Instead, a statement was sent from the office of health minister Adriana LaGrange.
“The Government of Alberta is unaware of the identity of any party under RCMP investigation, but will provide the required cooperation to the RCMP should the government be requested to do so,” it said.
“We refer any further inquiries regarding this matter to the RCMP as it would be entirely inappropriate for the government to comment on an ongoing police investigation.”
The former AHS CEO is suing the province for wrongful dismissal, saying she was fired in January for looking into overpays on contracts with private surgical providers.
READ MORE: Alberta Premier Smith faces second challenge from caucus member in less than a week
The premier has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, but suggested if there was any misconduct involving more than $600 million in health contracts, it was on the part of AHS.
The reason Smith went to Ice District was to announce a $408 million infrastructure deal between the province, the City of Edmonton, and the Edmonton Oilers.
The plan is to build a new event park east of Rogers Place, 2,500 units of housing, and a new downtown park. There is also $90 million included to demolish the old Coliseum, northeast of downtown.
UCP backbencher booted from caucus over threat to vote against budget
The new $250 million event space – is controversial even within Smith’s government.
Last weekend, her MLA from Lesser Slave Lake – Scott Sinclair – blasted the project, saying the money could be better spent on a highway project in his riding, for example.
“In fact, I’m furious at the amount of money being funneled into Edmonton and Calgary (as usual) while Northern Alberta and our riding are largely ignored,” Sinclair wrote on Facebook.
“Everyone knows I’m a huge Oilers/sports fan, but I would never prioritize funding arena projects in major cities while essential infrastructure projects, like Highway 88 in our riding, remain incomplete.”
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On Friday afternoon, chief government whip Shane Getson said UCP members of the legislature voted to remove Sinclair because he intends to vote against the spending document.
“Budget votes are confidence votes. The failure of a budget to pass results in an immediate election. All government MLAs are expected to vote in favour of a tabled budget,” Getson said in a statement from the UCP Caucus.
“MLA Sinclair has made it clear, both in his social media posts and in his conversations with colleagues, that he intends to vote against the budget. As an elected MLA he has that right, but may not do so as a member of the government caucus.”
Sinclair wrote on Facebook Friday night: “I’m still the MLA for Lesser Slave Lake and I’m going to keep on fighting to make sure our voices are heard.”
Sinclair was the second UCP MLA to push back against Smith in the span of a week.
Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie quit cabinet over his concerns with government-wide contracting processes.
As for the RCMP investigation, Mounties will not say what crimes are being investigated or name any suspects, but the questions will certainly continue when MLAs are back in the legislature on Monday.
-With files from the Canadian Press
