• Fraud, breach of trust and money laundering subject of RCMP Alberta health care procurement probe: court filing

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-10-28 17:11:45.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Healthcare, Justice, Public Safety, Governance]

  An Ontario Crown prosecutor's letter filed in Athana Mentzelopoulos's $1.7-million wrongful dismissal lawsuit against the Alberta government revealed that the RCMP are investigating Alberta Health Services procurement practices for potential fraud, breach of trust, and money laundering. Mentzelopoulos, the former CEO of Alberta Health Services, claims she was fired after investigating inflated contracts for private clinic surgeries and conflicts of interest involving Sam Mraiche's medical supply company, MHCare. While opposition NDP leader Naheed Nenshi renewed calls for a public inquiry, Premier Danielle Smith rejected the demand, citing an earlier report by retired judge Raymond Wyant.

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• In P.E.I., sweeping new strategy takes aim at ‘pervasive drinking culture’

  Source: Prince Edward Island - Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-24 08:00:00.0
  Tags: [Prince Edward Island, Healthcare, Public Safety, Justice]

  The Government of Prince Edward Island, led by Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison, has released a sweeping 16-point provincial alcohol strategy designed to address a pervasive drinking culture and reduce health and safety harms. The strategy follows five years of planning and public consultation, responding to data showing high-risk drinking contributes to 7,000 emergency department visits and hospitalizations annually, while direct alcohol-related costs reach over $131 million compared to $70 million in revenue. Key policy measures include screening for high-risk drinking during medical appointments, adjusting pricing based on alcohol content rather than volume to target high-potency cheap drinks, reviewing retail store availability and operating hours where 80 percent of residents live within 10 minutes of a P.E.I. Liquor Control Commission outlet, and reinvesting three percent of net alcohol profits back into community, education, and harm-reduction programs.

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• New EPS integrated stabilization centre already saving lives

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-09-28 11:15:28.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Healthcare, Public Safety, Social Services, Justice]

  The Edmonton Police Service opened a new 18-bed integrated stabilization centre inside its downtown headquarters, recording 98 admissions over its first three and a half weeks, with 12 individuals transferred directly to the Addiction Recovery Centre at Alberta Hospital Edmonton. The initiative forms part of the Alberta provincial government's broader Mental Health and Addiction portfolio, which has expanded its budget from approximately $80 million in direct funding in 2019 to $2.3 billion. Operating in partnership with Recovery Alberta, the facility aims to provide frontline police and health workers an immediate destination for individuals experiencing substance use crises and connect them with voluntary opioid agonist therapy programs.

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• Task Force Prepares for Community Engagement With Discussions on Key Violence Prevention Initiatives

  Source: Newfoundland & Labrador - Government Releases
  Date: 2026-08-31 12:00:36.0
  Tags: [Newfoundland and Labrador, Justice, Public Safety, Social Services, Healthcare]

  The Task Force to End Gender-Based Violence in Newfoundland and Labrador met on August 25 and 26, 2026, to advance community engagement plans targeting diverse populations, including survivors, Indigenous communities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. Co-chaired by Stacey Hoffe and overseen by Minister of Women and Gender Equity Lela Evans, the 12-member task force discussed policy areas such as electronic monitoring, emergency protection orders, and post-release supports for incarcerated individuals in Labrador. The task force also received updates from various provincial bodies—including the Department of Social Supports and Well-Being, the Department of Health and Community Services regarding the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program, and the Department of Justice and Public Safety regarding the Policing Transformation Working Group report—ahead of delivering its first public report in fall 2026.

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