Smith denies Guthrie gag order but won’t commit to public inquiry into AHS allegations

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Alberta Premier Danielle Smith denies a former cabinet minister’s claim that he is being prevented from speaking in the legislature following his criticism of the government’s handling of allegations of corruption around health care procurement.

On Monday, Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie stood in the assembly and echoed the Opposition’s calls to launch a judicial-led public inquiry into the allegations.

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He added he was being “held in perpetuity to a suspension from caucus, which comes with a gag order” and that he was on day 48 of what was to have been a 30-day suspension from caucus.

On Tuesday, Smith said she wasn’t aware of any gag order and claimed Guthrie was asked if he wanted to join the rotation for question period but did not take up the offer.

She also declined to speculate on Guthrie’s future in caucus.

“That’s a caucus decision,” she told reporters. “We don’t talk about internal caucus matters here.”

The UCP caucus would not confirm to Postmedia when it is next scheduled to meet.

Guthrie declined to speak to reporters again on Tuesday, but on Monday reiterated his support for a public inquiry.

“If we have nothing to hide, we should take that path,” he said, adding he also took issue with what he termed the government’s “obstructionist” approach to the auditor general’s investigation into the allegations.

“I would like to see people feel free to be able to share their thoughts with the auditor general without feeling that there may be retribution for them.”

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Guthrie and former UCP MLA Scott Sinclair both voted in favour of an Opposition motion on Monday calling on the government to launch a public inquiry. The motion was defeated 45-29.

When asked Monday if his comments jeopardized his future with the party he said, “it’s a possibility. I’m still under suspension.”

Guthrie had been the minister of infrastructure before resigning from the role in February citing concerns over government procurement practices and calling on Health Minister Adriana LaGrange to step aside until the investigations are concluded.

A total of six investigations have been launched into allegations of procurement corruption first publicly revealed in the statement of claim from ousted Alberta Health Services president and CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos in her $1.7-million wrongful dismissal lawsuit.

Those investigations include one commissioned by the government and led by a retired Manitoba judge as well as another by the province’s ethics commissioner and auditor general as well as another investigation by the RCMP.

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Smith and her government have rejected calls from the Opposition to launch a judicial-led public inquiry, and did so again on Tuesday, citing the adequacy of the investigations already underway.

“The vast majority of my caucus, nearly all, are waiting to see the results of that,” she said.

“So, we want to see if there’s any evidence of wrongdoing, and then once those reports are out, we’ll make a judgment at that time.”

NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi cited Guthrie’s remarks as evidence of how the government-commissioned investigation is inadequate.

“It’s going to the government first, they get a month to edit it before the rest of us see it,” he said. “That is not going to satisfy Albertans.”

“They could turn their current toothless inquiry into a public inquiry today. The fact that they don’t want to do it means they’ve either dug in their heels or they’re trying to hide something.”

mblack@postmedia.com

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