Release of third-party report on Alberta Health Services scandal delayed

A third-party report examining allegations of corruption in Alberta Health Services and government procurement practices will now be released four months later than promised.

The news came Friday following a statement from NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi that the release of the report was late.

The Opposition leader cited transcriptions from a March 10 meeting in the Legislature, where Minister of Justice Mickey Amery was asked by the NDP Edmonton-South West MLA Nathan Ip whether he would commit to keeping other House members up-to-date on his role in the RCMP investigation and support a call for a full public inquiry into the matter.

“Mr. Speaker, this Assembly and all Albertans know that there are now three investigations happening. The office of the Auditor General is conducting an independent investigation. Former Chief Justice Wyant of Manitoba’s provincial court is conducting an independent investigation. The RCMP have announced that they are conducting an independent investigation,” Amery said.

“Justice Wyant’s interim report will be tabled on alberta.ca on May 30, 2025, for everybody to read, and we’re looking forward to seeing that.”

Following the release of the interim report, the final report was supposed to be made public on June 30.

Now, Deputy Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade, and Immigration Christopher McPherson, says that won’t be happening.

“The government and AHS have provided thousands of documents to Judge [Raymond E. Wyant]. A significant number of individuals have been identified for interviews by Judge Wyant,” he explained. “Given the volume of documents and interview requests, in consultation with and by the mutual agreement of Judge Wyant and the Deputy Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, I have extended the term of the investigation.

He was granted an extentsion for release of the report, saying the interim report will be delivered on Sept. 24 and the final version will be out on Oct. 15.

McPherson said he was told by Premier Danielle Smith when the investigation began it was his job to ensure Wyant had enough time and resources necessary to bring his expertise “to bear fully on the matters under consideration.”

Nenshi and the NDP say Albertans deserve to see the report, and they want it when it was promised.

“For months, we’ve been calling for an independent, public inquiry into the CorruptCare scandal,” the leader said. “Every step of the way, the minister dismissed those calls and claimed we didn’t need one because he’d release Justice Wyant’s findings to the public. Well, he’s out of excuses. Where’s the report?”

Wyant’s investigation is one of three ongoing into a matter raised by former AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulous after she filed a lawsuit in February, alleging she was fired for investigating sweetheart deals for private surgical contracts and had concerns about conflict of interest and high-level political intimidation that went right into the premier’s office.