Skip to Main content

12.46°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Feb 19, 2025 7:51 PM - The Canadian Press

Alberta Premier Smith to give update on response to health corruption allegations

Share On

alberta-premier-smith-to-give-update-on-response-to-health-corruption-allegations

The former head of Alberta Health Services alleges in a lawsuit that she was fired for probing questionable contracts pushed by government officials as high up as the premier's office.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is scheduled to provide an update today on the government's response to allegations of government interference in lucrative medical contracts.

Health Minister Adriana LaGrange is also set to appear at the news conference in Calgary.

The former head of Alberta Health Services alleges in a lawsuit that she was fired for probing questionable contracts pushed by government officials as high up as the premier's office.

Smith has bucked calls from one cabinet ministers and the Opposition NDP to take LaGrange out of her role while the government oversees an internal review.

Ministers Todd Loewen and Rick Wilson say they agree with others in cabinet who stand by LaGrange's work and are waiting for the results of the review.

The auditor general is also investigating contracting and procurement at the health agency.

Latest news

WorldApr 28, 2026

Israel orders evacuations in southern Lebanon villages amid ceasefire violations claims

The Israeli military has ordered residents in more than a dozen villages in southern Lebanon to evacuate immediately, citing safety concerns during an ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. According to a statement posted on the social media platform X by Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson Avichay Adraee, civilians in the affected areas were urged to leave without delay. The military said the warning was issued for public safety, alleging that Hezbollah had violated the terms of the ceasefire agreement. The evacuation order comes despite the ceasefire remaining formally in effect. Isra

b-c-attorney-general-urges-ottawa-to-include-ai-chatbots-in-youth-social-media-rules

B.C. attorney general urges Ottawa to include AI chatbots in youth social media rules

British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma says federal plans to set a minimum age for social media use should explicitly include artificial intelligence chatbots, arguing the rules would be ineffective if such platforms are excluded. In a letter to the federal government, Sharma said tools such as ChatGPT should fall within any regulatory framework aimed at protecting children online. According to her office, the letter cites recent incidents, including a shooting in Tumbler Ridge, and references cases where AI tools were reportedly linked to harmful online behaviour. Sharma said AI system

AlbertaApr 28, 2026

Evacuation alert issued for Draper, Alta., as ice jam raises river levels

An evacuation alert has been issued for the community of Draper in northern Alberta after rising river levels linked to a large ice jam raised concerns about possible flooding. According to a notice from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, approximately 140 residents of the unincorporated community have been advised to prepare to leave on short notice. Draper is located along the southern bank of the Clearwater River, about 12 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray. Officials say a roughly 20-kilometre-long ice jam on the Athabasca River has contributed to a rapid increase in water level

measles-exposure-reported-at-grande-prairie-hospital-emergency-department

AlbertaApr 28, 2026

Measles exposure reported at Grande Prairie hospital emergency department

Alberta health officials are warning of a potential measles exposure at a hospital emergency department in Grande Prairie. According to an Alberta Health Services advisory, the exposure is believed to have occurred on April 20 and April 22 at the emergency department. Officials say individuals who were present at those times may have been exposed to the virus. Health authorities say people who are not fully vaccinated are at higher risk of infection. Symptoms of measles can include fever, cough and a spreading rash. Alberta Health Services is urging residents to review their immunization recor

netherlands-considering-rose-imports-from-punjab-says-cm-bhagwant-mann

IndiaApr 28, 2026

Netherlands considering rose imports from Punjab, says CM Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann says the Netherlands is considering importing roses from the state following discussions during his recent visit. According to a statement shared by Mann, Dutch officials indicated interest in sourcing roses from Punjab, which he said could offer better-quality flowers at competitive prices. He noted that the Netherlands currently imports roses in large quantities from Ethiopia. Mann said the discussions focused on expanding cooperation in the horticulture sector, highlighting what he described as untapped opportunities for Punjab farmers in international fl

Related News

Evacuation alert issued for Draper, Alta., as ice jam raises river levels

Evacuation alert issued for Draper, Alta., as ice jam raises river levels

An evacuation alert has been issued for the community of Draper in northern Alberta after rising river levels linked to a large ice jam raised concerns about possible flooding. According to a notice from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, approximately 140 residents of the unincorporated community have been advised to prepare to leave on short notice. Draper is located along the southern bank of the Clearwater River, about 12 kilometres southeast of Fort McMurray. Officials say a roughly 20-kilometre-long ice jam on the Athabasca River has contributed to a rapid increase in water level

Measles exposure reported at Grande Prairie hospital emergency department

Measles exposure reported at Grande Prairie hospital emergency department

Alberta health officials are warning of a potential measles exposure at a hospital emergency department in Grande Prairie. According to an Alberta Health Services advisory, the exposure is believed to have occurred on April 20 and April 22 at the emergency department. Officials say individuals who were present at those times may have been exposed to the virus. Health authorities say people who are not fully vaccinated are at higher risk of infection. Symptoms of measles can include fever, cough and a spreading rash. Alberta Health Services is urging residents to review their immunization recor

RCMP seek public’s help locating stolen truck carrying two peacocks west of Edmonton

RCMP seek public’s help locating stolen truck carrying two peacocks west of Edmonton

Police in Alberta are asking for the public’s help after a truck carrying two peacocks was reported stolen west of Edmonton. According to the RCMP, a 2005 Ford F-350 was taken from the community of Stony Plain on Sunday. Officers say the birds were inside the vehicle at the time of the theft. Mounties are asking anyone who may have seen the truck or the animals to contact police. No further details about the direction of travel or suspects had been released as of publication time. The investigation is ongoing.

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital