NDP wants auditor general to look into DynaLife failed deal

The Alberta NDP is calling on the auditor general to look into the provincial government’s decision to cut ties with DynaLife.

The group provides medical lab services for Albertans.

Last week, Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said that DynaLife would transfer all of its assets to Alberta Precision Laboratories by the end of the year.

During a stop in Lethbridge during Whoop Up Days, Premier Danielle Smith was asked why this decision was made by her government.

“They simply weren’t living up to the terms of their agreement which had performance expectations. And then when we attempted to find a way that we could go forward, that was their solution for us. And so that’s what we’re doing. We want to make sure everybody gets the diagnosis that they need because you need the diagnosis in order to get the treatment. And we’ll have a better explanation of the costs once we finish the process at the end of December because it’s a staged process to make sure that there is seamless, there’s no interruption in service.”

David Shepherd, the Alberta NDP health critic, says this is a big mistake by the province and an investigation is needed.

“It’s fair to say that we’re talking here about millions of dollars and that doesn’t even include all of the impacts to the healthcare system. As thousands of Albertans have had crucial tests delayed or been forced to go to an ER to get them done. It’s the cost of having to recollect samples, run tests again. The worsening of conditions for Albertans who’ve been waiting for a crucial diagnosis to determine what treatment they need, that could be millions more in billings and treatment costs.”

The decision to have DynaLife take over the delivery of lab services in Alberta dates back to 2019 under former Premier Jason Kenney.

But, it wasn’t until 2022 that it was formalized and following a delay of six months it fully came into effect.