It was supposed to be an investigation that would spare the Alberta government from having to call a public inquiry into procurement issues in the health-care system.

Instead, the report from retired Judge Raymond Wyant has strengthened the case for a public inquiry. Whether the government can be convinced of that, however, is another story.

For now, the government is claiming some vindication, but there are enough troubling and unanswered questions here that this can’t be the final word on the matter.

As Wyant points out, ”I did not have the power to compel the production of records, nor did I have the power to subpoena witnesses to testify under oath.” As such, he says, “people had the opportunity to decline to be interviewed. Some did.”

Looking at the list of individuals interviewed

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