Alberta health contract probe expected to finish this year

Alberta's new auditor general, Phil Peters, anticipates completing his investigation into a significant health-care contracting scandal by the close of this year. The investigation is a continuation of work begun by his predecessor, Doug Wylie, whose contract was not extended by Premier Danielle Smith's government, despite Wylie's desire to finish the probe.

Wylie had been working on the investigation for over a year before Peters took over the role in late April. The multiple investigations, including one by the RCMP and the auditor general's office, were launched after the former head of Alberta Health Services made allegations of corruption concerning multimillion-dollar health deals. These allegations remain unproven in court.

A separate government-commissioned third-party report, conducted by former Manitoba judge Raymond Wyant, reviewed the matter. Wyant's review, however, was limited by its mandate, as he did not have the authority to question individuals under oath. Crucially, this report found no evidence of wrongful interference by Premier Smith, her ministers, or their staff in the contracting processes.