Alberta’s infrastructure minister Peter Guthrie resigns from cabinet over Danielle Smith’s shady handling of AHS Procorement and Alberta Health

Peter Guthrie has resigned as Alberta’s minister of infrastructure over concerns connected to the Alberta Health Services’ procurement process.

Peter Guthrie, Alberta’s minister of infrastructure, has resigned from cabinet because of a lack of support for his concerns with “inconsistencies” in Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services.

“In recent months, I have voiced concerns regarding the Government of Alberta’s procurement practices across all departments,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the majority of cabinet does not appear to share my concerns.”

As a result, Guthrie said he was resigning from his cabinet position but would continue to serve as a UCP MLA and voice his concerns as a private member.

Alberta’s Minister of Infrastructure, Peter Guthrie, announced his resignation from cabinet in a letter to constituents posted on social media (X/@PeterGuthrie99)

Alberta’s infrastructure minister resigns over procurement concerns

In a letter to his constituents posted on social media, Guthrie announced his resignation from cabinet, but said he will remain a private member of the government caucus, where he can “hold cabinet accountable with honesty and integrity.”

Guthrie said that as minister of infrastructure, he had “line of sight” into the provincial government’s procurement practices and “inconsistencies” and claimed he recommended improvements that could have prevented some of the issues that have developed into the scandal, and allegations of corruption now facing the UCP government.

His resignation comes almost two weeks after the former head of Alberta Health Services, Athana Mentzelopoulos, filed a wrongful dismissal lawsuit against the province.

In the lawsuit, she alleges she was fired after looking into high-level government interference and questionable multi-million-dollar contracts.

‘CorruptCare scandal’

The Alberta NDP, in a statement on the resignation, said the wrong person stepped down from cabinet in response to the scandal.

“Today’s resignation should have been the health minister,” said Christina Gray, the leader of the opposition, in a statement.

“And the Premier herself should step aside while her government is investigated for the worst corruption scandal Alberta has ever seen.”

Gray says Guthrie’s resignation is a signal for a judicial-led public inquiry into the matter.

Documents from Alberta Health Services also show a private surgical company at the heart of the scandal was billing taxpayers more than twice as much per procedure as it would cost in a public hospital.

Premier Danielle Smith and Health Minister Adriana LaGrange have denied any wrongdoing and LaGrange has said the dismissal of Mentzelopoulos wasn’t linked to the former CEO’s investigation.

The allegations have not been proven in court, and statements of defence have yet to be filed.

NDP reiterate call for judicial-led public inquiry

Those practices have come under scrutiny since former AHS head Athana Mentzelopoulos filed a $1.7-million wrongful dismissal lawsuit, alleging she was sacked after she investigated procurement practices around the children’s pain medication purchase as well as contracts for chartered surgical facilities.

Her claims have not been tested in court and LaGrange along with Premier Danielle Smith, Mraiche and MHCare all deny wrongdoing.

Opposition House Leader Christina Gray repeated her party’s call for a public inquiry into Mentzelopoulos’ allegations.

“Today’s resignation should have been the Health Minister. And, the Premier herself should step aside while her government is investigated for the worst corruption scandal Alberta has ever seen,” she said.