Globe’s Tait Uncovers Healthcare Scandal

Jason Franson / The Canadian press

The Globe and Mail’s Carrie Tait is setting the gold standard for journalism in Canada.  In February, she started investigating the dismissal of Athana Mentzelopolous, the chief executive of Alberta Health Services. Mentzelopolous had raised concerns about inflated prices and conflicts of interest stemming from the provincial government’s proposed deal with a pair of private healthcare companies.  She alleged political officials pressured her to proceed with those deals, until she was dismissed.

The private healthcare companies in question are part-owned by wealthy Alberta businessman Sam Mraiche. They operate out of Red Deer and Lethbridge. The Globe and Mail reported that both companies have a history of charging rates which exceed what AHS paid other private companies in the area. Even more troubling, Tait and The Globe discovered that former AHS procurement official Blayne Iskiw, owned stakes in the same two companies.  

Pressure mounted on premier Danielle Smith to cancel the contracts.  The RCMP and Alberta Auditor-General are still conducting their own investigations into the procurement and contracting of the deals. The provincial infrastructure minister Peter Guthrie, resigned from his position in February, citing a lack of confidence in his government’s procurement practices.  For months, Smith and her government refused to reconsider the contracts.

This story had many layers to unwrap, and Tait has been on the front lines unearthing sordid details.  That dogged reporting led to an alarming incident this summer. Surreptitiously taken photos of Tait meeting with sources were posted online by an anonymous account, which also referred to Tait’s whereabouts in the city of Calgary. Despite the threat posed by this doxxing, Tait persevered – she continued digging into the relationships between Mr. Mraiche, Mr. Iskiw and the AHS. 

That perseverance was vindicated early in December when Smith and the Alberta government announced they will cease negotiations with the two private healthcare firms in question. It was a victory for democratic procurement, a victory for lower prices and a victory for investigative journalism!