The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) visited the Edmonton offices of MHCare Medical and Carver PA Corporation on Thursday, March 19, as part of an ongoing investigation into Alberta health procurement practices. RCMP spokesperson Jessica Murphy confirmed that Mounties are "executing multiple search warrants" but refrained from providing further details to protect the investigation's integrity.
The investigation stems from a complaint filed in February 2025 regarding contracting practices at Alberta Health Services (AHS). This complaint coincided with a wrongful dismissal lawsuit filed by former AHS CEO Athana Mentzelopoulos, who alleged she was terminated for scrutinizing multimillion-dollar public contracts. These contracts included those for children's pain medication and private surgical services. Mentzelopoulos claimed that some provincial health contracts were purposely inflated and given to government friends. The government and AHS have denied these allegations, stating Mentzelopoulos was not meeting expectations.
The focus of the investigation involves contracts awarded to companies controlled by businessman Sam Mraiche. These contracts include deals for personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic and the purchase of children's medication. Mraiche's companies also had agreements to open private surgical facilities in Red Deer and Lethbridge. Records indicate that Mraiche controls MHCare Medical and Carver PA Corporation, the two businesses targeted in the RCMP search.
Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has renewed calls for a public inquiry into the matter, calling it the "biggest government scandal in Alberta history". Premier Danielle Smith has stated that the issue is an AHS matter and urged patience while the RCMP and the auditor general complete their investigations. Mraiche's lawyer maintains that his client has not engaged in any improper conduct and is confident that a fair investigation will prove this.
