Alberta cabinet minister resigns, citing concerns over procurement

Alberta Infrastructure Minister Peter Guthrie has made a bold move by resigning from his position, citing concerns about the government’s procurement practices. Guthrie, who represents the United Conservative Party in Airdrie-Cochrane, took to social media to announce his departure from cabinet.

In his resignation letter, Guthrie expressed his disappointment with the lack of action taken by the government to address inconsistencies in procurement processes. He mentioned that he had proposed Bill 13 and a Financial Oversight Committee to improve transparency and accountability in government contracts, but his concerns were not shared by the majority of Cabinet members.

Bill 13, also known as the Real Property Governance Act, aims to give the province the first right of refusal when provincial agencies and organizations are selling surplus land and buildings. This proposed change would impact various entities, including post-secondary institutions, school boards, Alberta Health Services, and the Alberta Social Housing Corporation.

Guthrie’s decision to step down comes after he called for the removal of Health Minister Adriana LaGrange amid investigations into serious allegations made by a former Alberta Health Services CEO regarding major health contracts. He urged Premier Danielle Smith to take swift action and involve the RCMP if necessary.

Premier Smith accepted Guthrie’s resignation and reiterated her commitment to cooperating with the auditor general’s probe into contracting and procurement practices. She assured the public that she was not involved in the controversial procurement decisions and trusted that the government’s policy directions would be implemented by Alberta Health Services.

Political experts have noted that Guthrie’s resignation sends a strong message of dissent within the United Conservative Party caucus. While Cabinet ministers have expressed support for Premier Smith and the ongoing investigations, the Opposition has raised questions about the government’s handling of the allegations.

The allegations raised by the former AHS CEO have sparked a series of investigations and legal actions. The involvement of private entities in government contracts has raised concerns about conflicts of interest and questionable costs. The Alberta Auditor General has launched an investigation to address these issues and ensure transparency in the procurement processes.

The resignation of Minister Guthrie highlights the challenges faced by the government in ensuring accountability and integrity in procurement practices. As the investigations continue, it remains to be seen how the government will address the allegations and restore public trust in its contracting processes.