Skip to Main content

6.27°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Mar 14, 2025 1:13 PM - The Canadian Press

Alberta fires back in wrongful dismissal suit, says ex-health boss was incompetent

Share On

alberta-fires-back-in-wrongful-dismissal-suit-says-ex-health-boss-was-incompetent

Adriana LaGrange, in a statement of defence, says Athana Mentzelopoulos was not fired from her job as the head of Alberta Health Services for investigating corruption. (Photo: X/@AdrianaLaGrange)

Alberta's health minister has officially fired back against allegations from a former health leader who says she was fired for investigating sweetheart deals, collusion and high-level political arm-twisting.

Adriana LaGrange, in a statement of defence, says Athana Mentzelopoulos was not fired from her job as the head of Alberta Health Services for investigating corruption. LaGrange says Mentzelopoulos was fired because she was failing to do her job and was working to stop mandated health reform to keep the power and perks of her position. Alberta Health Services has been in charge of all health delivery in Alberta but has, in the last year, been wound down to become just one piece of a new multi-agency model.

Mentzelopoulos has alleged she was fired because she balked at signing overinflated contracts with private surgery providers and for investigating questionable dealings with how health contracts were being signed. LaGrange says her government had no choice but to act, saying Mentzelopoulos had lost her way by failing to sign off on critical surgery contracts potentially affecting thousands while pursuing a fantasy corruption investigation that ultimately turned up empty.

Latest news

manslaughter-charge-laid-after-fatal-fight-in-maple-ridge-home

Manslaughter charge laid after fatal fight in Maple Ridge home

A 45-year-old man has been charged with manslaughter following a fatal altercation at a home in Maple Ridge earlier this month, according to police. Investigators say officers responded to a residence at حوالي 7:30 p.m. on March 16, where they found a 49-year-old man in medical distress. The man was treated at the scene but later died from his injuries. Police said the BC Prosecution Service approved a manslaughter charge on Monday, upgrading an earlier charge of assault causing bodily harm that had been laid the previous week. According to investigators, the two men were known to each ot

american-academic-released-by-taliban-authorities-in-afghanistan-officials-say

WorldMar 24, 2026

American academic released by Taliban authorities in Afghanistan, officials say

Afghanistan’s Taliban government says it has released American academic Dennis Coyle, who had been held in the country since January 2025. According to a statement issued Tuesday by Afghanistan’s foreign ministry, Coyle was released in Kabul on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan. The ministry said the decision followed an appeal from Coyle’s family and came after the country’s Supreme Court determined that his time in custody was sufficient. Afghan authorities had previously detained Coyle on allegations of violating local laws, but did not publicly spe

b-c-considers-changes-to-indigenous-rights-law-raises-concerns-among-first-nations-leaders

B.C. considers changes to Indigenous rights law, raises concerns among First Nations leaders

The British Columbia government is considering amendments to its Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act that could alter how the province aligns its laws with Indigenous rights, according to a confidential letter shared with some First Nations leaders. According to a copy of the letter obtained by The Canadian Press, the proposed changes would shift the province’s obligation from taking “all measures” to align laws with the declaration to supporting “ongoing processes” to align selected legislation. The letter was distributed Monday to some First Nations leadership. The

man-dies-after-late-night-shooting-at-abbotsford-park-and-ride-homicide-team-takes-over

Man dies after late-night shooting at Abbotsford park-and-ride, homicide team takes over

A man has died after a reported shooting at a park-and-ride lot in Abbotsford late Sunday night, according to a police news release. Abbotsford Police say patrol officers were called to the Whatcom Road Park & Ride at about 11:11 p.m. on March 23, where a large encampment is currently located. Officers found a man with life-threatening injuries. He was taken to hospital but later died. Police say the investigation is in its early stages and the case is being treated as a targeted incident. No arrests have been made. The Abbotsford Police Department Major Crime Unit is handing the investiga

WorldMar 24, 2026

Iran launches new missile strikes on Israel as cross-border attacks continue into day 25

Iran launched a series of missile strikes targeting Israel from Monday night into Tuesday, marking the 25th day of ongoing hostilities involving Iran, Israel and the United States. According to statements attributed to Israeli authorities, Iran carried out seven missile attacks during that period. Israeli officials did not immediately release independent verification of damage or casualties from the latest strikes. In response, Israel continued its counter-offensive operations. The Israeli Air Force said it struck more than 50 Iranian-linked targets overnight, including missile launch sites an

Related News

B.C. considers changes to Indigenous rights law, raises concerns among First Nations leaders

B.C. considers changes to Indigenous rights law, raises concerns among First Nations leaders

The British Columbia government is considering amendments to its Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act that could alter how the province aligns its laws with Indigenous rights, according to a confidential letter shared with some First Nations leaders. According to a copy of the letter obtained by The Canadian Press, the proposed changes would shift the province’s obligation from taking “all measures” to align laws with the declaration to supporting “ongoing processes” to align selected legislation. The letter was distributed Monday to some First Nations leadership. The

Two pilots identified after Air Canada Express collision with fire truck at New York airport

Two pilots identified after Air Canada Express collision with fire truck at New York airport

Authorities have identified the two pilots who died after an Air Canada Express aircraft collided with a fire truck on the runway at LaGuardia Airport late Sunday night. According to aviation officials, one of the pilots, Antoine Forest, was from Quebec. The co-pilot, Mackenzie Gunther, was a 2023 graduate of Seneca Polytechnic in Toronto and had recently begun his professional flying career with Jazz Aviation, which was operating the flight. The flight, arriving from Montreal at approximately 11:30 p.m., was carrying 72 passengers and four crew members at the time of the collision. More than

Alberta RCMP search for suspect after fatal highway shooting near Leduc

Alberta RCMP search for suspect after fatal highway shooting near Leduc

Alberta RCMP say a suspect remains at large following a fatal shooting on a highway south of Edmonton earlier this month, with investigators still working to determine a motive. According to an RCMP news release, the shooting occurred near Leduc on the afternoon of March 14. Witnesses reported seeing a pickup truck pull up alongside a car before speeding away. Police say the driver of the car had been shot. He managed to pull over to the side of the road, where he later died. RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Troy Savinkoff said officers have since located the grey pickup truck believed to be involved, b

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital