It’s been a rough few weeks for the Alberta government.
What started with a healthcare scandal – which has only continued to grow from bad to worse – quickly saw a minister resign from cabinet, a $5.2 billion deficit budget presented and a UCP MLA speaking out against the budget due to lack of spending in rural areas.
A move to throw money at residents via a more than $1 billion tax cut that was an election promise, tariffs from the American government and growing concern as the healthcare issues continue to mount have led to the worst stretch for the UCP since the 2023 provincial election.
In the healthcare field, a former judge from Manitoba, Raymond E. Wyant, was appointed to lead the third-party investigation. A final report is meant to be delivered by June 30.
It adds to the ongoing investigation being done by Alberta Auditor-General Doug Wylie into procurement and contracting processing in the provincial health sector.
It comes after former Alberta Health Services (AHS) CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos filed a $1.7 million wrongful dismissal lawsuit against AHS and the province. Part of her lawsuit claims she was fired because she launched an internal investigation and audit into multiple contracts that she found to be overpriced.
Though the investigations by the former Manitoban judge and Auditor-General are promising, they fall short of involving the RCMP and a public inquiry, which has been called for by many groups, most notably the opposition NDP.
Under a public inquiry, witnesses can be subpoenaed and be required to give evidence under oath.
The provincial budget tabled a $5.2 billion deficit, but one that could grow to $8.7 billion under a scenario where tariffs are implemented by the American government on Canada via 10 per cent on oil and gas – Alberta’s economic driver – and 25 per cent for all other exports.
American President Donald Trump issued the tariffs on March 4, which will likely see the provincial government’s budgeted deficit get worse before it gets better.
No budget will ever be perfect. Regardless of whether it’s any of the three levels of government or a household budget, there will inevitably be flaws as difficult decisions are needed.
But the UCP have pitched itself as the fiscally responsible party in the province that is the only option for long-term financial stability. That self-imposed reputation will likely be tested by even its most dedicated members.
The healthcare issues and the budget will play a dominant theme, but what appears to be internal turmoil is nothing to turn a blind eye to.
Former infrastructure minister Peter Guthrie calling for Minister Adriana LaGrange to be shuffled to another position and ultimately moving to a backbench role due to lack of confidence in procurement practices is a rare move by a cabinet minister.
Following suit was backbencher MLA Scott Sinclair saying he couldn’t support the budget due to its large deficit spending and lack of money for rural areas, particularly in northern Alberta.
Though rare, it’s also refreshing to see provincial elected officials speak their minds independent of party views – an aspect of what they’re elected to do – in what they see as negatively impacting the province.
While Premier Danielle Smith has shown an ability to keep together a group of traditional conservatives, far right-leaning ones and the wildcards, the past month has shown cracks starting to form in the wall.
A political party’s capabilities and leadership are typically revealed in the bad times, with the moves indicating how they handle challenges.
Though it is nowhere near the loss of confidence that took place in the Jason Kenney government, the moves Smith and UCP make in the coming weeks and months will be telling for the immediate future of the UCP and Alberta.
