Title: Alberta Government Awaits Report on Health Contract Allegations

EDMONTON - The Alberta government is set to receive a final report today regarding allegations of corruption linked to health contracts. Former Manitoba judge Raymond Wyant was appointed in March to investigate multimillion-dollar contracts related to children's medication and surgeries provided by for-profit companies. His task was to assess whether staff from the Health Ministry, Alberta Health Services, or the involved companies properly disclosed and managed any potential conflicts of interest.

These allegations emerged from a wrongful dismissal lawsuit filed earlier this year by Athana Mentzelopoulos, the former head of Alberta Health Services (AHS). Government spokesperson Yonathan Sumamo stated that the report is expected today, "with public release to follow."

The lawsuit, which is still ongoing in the courts, has also prompted investigations by the RCMP and Alberta's auditor general, both of which have yet to release their findings. In her lawsuit, Mentzelopoulos claims that high-ranking government officials interfered in overpriced contracts with private surgical companies and medical suppliers during her tenure.

The allegations remain untested in court, and Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party government has denied any wrongdoing. The province contends that Mentzelopoulos was dismissed due to poor job performance and for hindering Alberta's strategy to reduce wait times by increasing the number of publicly funded surgeries performed by private providers.

Wyant's report was originally due on July 30, but the deadline was extended due to the volume of documents and interviews he needed to conduct. The Opposition NDP has criticized Wyant's investigation, arguing that his limited mandate would prevent a thorough examination of the scandal. They have called for a full public inquiry into the matter.