Alberta Premier Danielle Smith shuffles her cabinet, splits health portfolio
CALGARY - Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced an overhaul of several government ministries, creating two new health services portfolios and replacing her Indigenous relations minister.
Former health minister Adriana LaGrange has been sworn in as minister of primary and preventative health services, while former jobs minister Matt Jones is in charge of hospital and surgical health services.
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CTV News
3 hours ago
- CTV News
Piikani members pray for healing of Crowsnest Lake amid fish consumption advisory
A fish consumption advisory remains in effect for Crowsnest Lake. The Alberta government says this is due to selenium levels from old coal mines. Members of the Piikani Nation gathered at Crowsnest Lake in southwestern Alberta on Tuesday to pray for the body of water to heal following the issuing of a Fish Consumption Advisory. The advisory, posted to the My Wild Alberta website, says 105 fish from Crowsnest Lake were analyzed for mercury and trace metals in 2024, and a preliminary assessment of the results indicated consumption of brown trout, lake trout and mountain whitefish 'should be limited' due to selenium levels. 'The public should consider limiting consumption of these fish species from Crowsnest Lake at this time,' says the site. 'Further investigation is ongoing.' Speaking to CTV News on Tuesday, Piikani Nation member Harley Bastien said water is described as the 'veins and blood' of mother earth by Indigenous people. 'We are water,' Bastien said. 'Our bodies are water, and we are just trying to protect our bodies – not only for ourselves, but for seven generations ahead.' A new study from Alberta government scientist suggests old coal mines on the eastern slopes of the Rockies are leaching chemicals that are poisoning fish downstream. It also suggests any new coal developments could result in 'population collapse' of fish species in a nearby lake. 'We called on the water spirits that live in the water,' Bastien said. 'We prayed through them, we communicate with them, and in turn, they have they're own ways of communicating.' The new study measured selenium levels in fish from Crowsnest Lake, which is fed by creeks connected to Tent Mountain and Grassy Mountain – both former coal mine sites. In a statement, Evolve Power -- formerly Montem -- which owns Tent Mountain, said it is 'in compliance with all applicable provincial and federal regulatory requirements including those prescribed in the environmental protection and enhancement act approval. 'The Crowsnest River Valley contains multiple towns and is a major transportation corridor with significant agricultural and industrial activity, including quarrying by others, all of which may contribute to selenium levels being above naturally occurring levels.' Northback says the Crowsnest Lake issues are unrelated to its Grassy Mountain project. The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) said in a statement to CTV News, 'If selenium is flagged as a concern through sampling, inspections, or an EPA notification, the AER can order the licensee to increase monitoring, control or halt water discharges, and implement a mitigation plan. 'Throughout a mine's entire life cycle, operators must demonstrate that any treated water they release meets the stringent limits set by both provincial and federal standards.' Landowners on the Eastern Slopes say if selenium is found in former mine sites, new exploration is only going to repeat itself. 'The government knew this and yet in all of their communications they've indicated there is little or no concern about selenium contamination from open pit coal mining,' said Mike Judd, who owns land near Beaver Mines. The AER told The Canadian Press that it has directed Evolve Power to submit a 'selenium management plan proposal' that targets reductions in selenium in mine-affected water. Evolve was to submit that plan by July 31 of last year, but the AER said it granted the company an extension to March 31, 2026. Those at the prayer ceremony say that's unacceptable. 'Water is everything to the Indigenous people,' said Bastien. CTV News reached out multiple times to the office of the minister of environment and protected areas for an interview but never received a response. - With files from Canadian Press
Globe and Mail
8 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Ex-CEO of Alberta health authority asks for quick ruling in wrongful dismissal suit
The former head of Alberta's health authority wants a judge to rule on her lawsuit against the provincial government, which she alleges fired her improperly, without the case going to trial. Athana Mentzelopoulos, Alberta Health Services's former chief executive, on Monday applied for a summary judgment in her dispute with the government. The application, filed in the Court of King's Bench in Edmonton, alleges the health minister usurped power accorded to AHS directors when she ordered Ms. Mentzelopoulos's firing in January. Ms. Mentzelopoulos is effectively asking the court to rule on the legality of how the government terminated her employment, rather than the validity of her allegations about why she was fired. The former executive alleges Premier Danielle Smith's government put pressure on her to sign deals that were to the benefit of private companies. Ms. Mentzelopoulos further alleges the government fired her for investigating the terms of some of the health authority's contracts and questioning how some deals came to fruition. The Globe and Mail first reported those allegations in February. Ms. Mentzelopoulos's $1.7-million lawsuit sparked multiple investigations, including an RCMP probe, and created a political headache for Ms. Smith's government. Exclusive: Alberta Justice Minister has personal relationship with man whose businesses are tied to AHS investigation Kyle Warner, a spokesman for the newly created ministry of primary and preventative health services, said the government intends to oppose Ms. Mentzelopoulos's application to forgo a trial. 'It is legally baseless and contains a litany of misinformation and false claims,' he said in a statement Tuesday. Ms. Mentzelopoulos's latest court filings contain fresh allegations about the government's interactions with the health authority's board. She alleges Adriana LaGrange, then the health minister and now the minister of primary and preventative health services, decided to fire her despite not having the authority. The former executive alleges only the board or its chair could terminate her contract because she was employed by AHS and reported to its directors, not the government. The government fired Ms. Mentzelopoulos on Jan. 8. But first Ms. LaGrange tried to persuade the board to oust the executive, Ms. Mentzelopoulos alleges. Ms. Mentzelopoulos alleges on Jan. 6 she informed the health ministry that she had a meeting scheduled for Jan. 10 with the Auditor-General, to update him on her investigations at the agency. After informing the ministry about the meeting, Ms. Mentzelopoulos alleges she heard Ms. LaGrange was organizing an informal meeting with directors for Jan. 7. 'The purpose of the meeting was to have the AHS Board agree to terminate my employment with AHS,' Ms. Mentzelopoulos alleges, adding that the directors refused. Ms. Mentzelopoulos claims she was not invited to the meeting but later learned what happened from others. 'When Minister LaGrange was asked why she wanted me terminated, she could give no substantive reason and gave none,' Ms. Mentzelopoulos alleges. When some directors said they would not sign off on the firing, the minister said she would have Andre Tremblay do it, the former executive alleges. At the time, Mr. Tremblay served as the deputy minister of health and an AHS board member. Ms. Mentzelopoulos's application for a summary judgment claims supporting evidence could be provided by compelled examination of three of the four board members who were not part of government. The three named in the filings are Paul Haggis, Lyle Oberg and Sandy Edmonstone. Mr. Haggis declined to comment, citing confidentiality requirements. Mr. Oberg and Mr. Edmonstone did not acknowledge requests for comment. The fourth independent board member, Angela Fong, also did not acknowledge a request for comment. Ms. LaGrange dissolved the board at the end of January. Ms. Mentzelopoulos alleges Ms. LaGrange wanted her to stop investigating the health care system's contract and procurement processes, but she refused. She alleges she was fired for pursuing the investigations. The Alberta government, in previous court filings and public statements, disputes Ms. Mentzelopoulos's allegations. The government alleges she was fired for incompetence. Further, Alberta alleges the former CEO resisted the government's strategy to reduce surgical waiting times by increasing the number of operations performed at private facilities. None of the allegations have been tested in court. The Premier in early March appointed a former chief judge of the Provincial Court of Manitoba to conduct an independent review based on Ms. Mentzelopoulos's allegations. Raymond Wyant was scheduled to deliver an interim written report by May 30 and a final report and recommendations by June 30. However, the government and Mr. Wyant agreed to extend the timeline, according to a press release from the province on May 30. Now, the interim report must be delivered by Sept. 24, with the final version and recommendations due Oct. 15. The United Conservative Party has restructured Alberta Health Services and the Premier, in a cabinet shuffle in May, created the ministries of hospital and surgical health services; and primary and preventative health services. Four ministers are now responsible for Alberta's health care system: Ms. LaGrange oversees primary and preventative health services; Matt Jones is in charge of hospital and surgical health services; Rick Wilson leads mental health and addiction; and Jason Nixon handles assisted living and social services.
Canada Standard
a day ago
- Canada Standard
The food affordability crisis is one reason governments need to step up for school food
Despite the hard work and dedication of hundreds of local grassroots organizations across the country to deliver student nutrition programs, there are, too often, not enough funds to purchase the food to meet student needs. As described in a study of elementary school parents' and teachers' perspectives on school food in southern Ontario, in the city of Hamilton and Peel Region, far too many school food programs cannot adequately meet existing nutritional needs of hungry students. Some teachers described how students, as young as four years old, come to school without enough nutritious food to fuel them through the day. As a researcher who examines biological and cultural determinants of human nutrition and food security, I conducted this study with academic colleagues in partnership with the Coalition for Healthy School Food. Fortunately, in 2024 the government of Canada announced a new National School Food Program and policy. As of March 10, 2025, the federal government has made school food agreements with all provinces and territories. This is an opportunity to reinvent school food across Canada and to catch up to other G7 countries that have long-running traditions of school food programs. In our study we asked parents through an online survey and focus group discussions in Hamilton and Peel Region to tell us what they envision for a future national school food program. Eighty-three per cent of the respondents were women; respondents self-identfied as South Asian (eight per cent), Black (five per cent), Indigenous (four per cent), Middle Eastern (four per cent), Southeast Asian (three per cent), Latino (three per cent), East Asian (three per cent) and white (70 per cent). Forty-three per cent of households were classified as experiencing some level of food insecurity, with 41 per cent having an annual household income of less than $69,999. Ninety-six per cent of survey respondents said they want their child to participate in a school food program, and 77 per cent said they would be willing to pay some amount for it. In parent focus groups, and teacher interviews, participants cited such benefits as: Participants saw affordability as one of the major barriers to an accessible program. Suggestions for funding models ranged from universal free programs to government-funded programs subsidized by optional parent contributions, and corporate donor funding. Read more: School gardens and kitchens could grow with Ontario's proposed food literacy act Most parents and teachers were adamant that programs be universally accessible with nutritious and diverse food options for all students regardless of ability to pay. Federal funding of $79 million flowed to the provinces and programs in the first year of the government's National School Food Program, but those funds were quickly used up. As noted by the Coalition for Healthy School Food, not all provinces are contributing in the same way towards school food programs to date. In Saskatchewan and Ontario, school food is severely underfunded relative to other provinces and territories. Saskatchewan and Ontario's per capita investments are four times lower than the national median of 63 cents per student per day: Nova Scotia contributes $3.30 whereas Saskatchewan and Ontario are at the bottom of the pack at three and nine cents per student per day respectively. That's based on an annual average of 190 school days per year across Canada. Without significant funding increases from those provincial governments, none of the hopes and dreams for a National School Food Program in Saskatchewan and Ontario will come to fruition. While the need for more funding is paramount, there are also logistical issues to tackle. Without commercial-grade kitchens in elementary schools, some survey respondents suggested centralized food preparation models by upgrading existing neighbourhood or high school infrastructure, from which meals could be distributed to local schools. Read more: What needs to happen next for Canada to have a successful school food program Others were in favour of contracting local food businesses as providers. A few parents raised the concern that school boards might contract large food conglomerates, resulting in a situation where corporate profit compromises food quality. Teachers voiced the need for adequate staffing and volunteer support so as not to unduly burden school staff. Some parents and teachers felt strongly about minimizing packaging waste. As one teacher stated: "I would be concerned about the environmental impact, going from trying to conserve and be mindful of what we use, like reusable containers, to a disposable model ... I think it would send a poor message to kids who we're asking to protect their environment." The topic of how much time students have to eat arose frequently in discussions. In Ontario, many schools at the elementary level adhere to a two-break or balanced day model, where students have a "nutrition break" in the morning with recess, and another in early afternoon (instead of two short recesses and a mid-day window for lunch/recess). This may be a reason why parents and some teachers say that kids don't have enough time to eat. In addition to logistical operations and accessibility, parents and teachers voiced the need to consider social and cultural diversity and inclusion. They noted the diversity of student dietary requirements and preferences - from food allergies/intolerances and cultural and religious foods to concerns about what respondents referred to as their "picky eaters." Teachers pointed out that halal and/or vegetarian foods must be made available. The oversight of food safety and offering a diversity of healthy food choices was mentioned repeatedly by parents. Meals and ingredients could be posted in weekly or monthly menus - like they are in in France, for example - to ensure students and their families are aware of what is being served. There was enthusiasm for exposing kids to culturally diverse menu options that would make students from all backgrounds feel included and welcome. While some parents were concerned that their kids might not eat foods they're unfamiliar with, others thought it would be great to expose them to new foods that they might eat at school even if they wouldn't at home. Some parents were excited about the prospect of community involvement, including volunteers but also students in food prep, distribution and cleanup. Beyond the school community, some proposed fostering partnerships with local farms, community gardens and local food providers. In sum, participants voiced the need for flexible programs that could be tailored to specific school, family and community needs - with clear communication with all families and school staff about the school food programs' goals and operations. We have a tremendous need and opportunity in Canada to strengthen our food system and food security with the National School Food Program. We have just begun this project with the commitment of some federal, provincial and municipal funding, but there is much more work to do in developing school food programs in each part of the country. The continued food affordability crisis and the threat of tariffs by the United States make it clear how important these programs are. No matter how these programs end up evolving, parents and teachers in Hamilton and Peel Region have clearly voiced their desire for equity - school food program accessibility, regardless of family income. They also want to see food offerings meeting students' diverse dietary requirements, and the inclusion of student, family, educator and local community partners.
