Deputy Health Minister of Alberta resigns

The province’s deputy minister of health has resigned amidst ongoing controversy.

“Carl Amrhein, Deputy Minister of Health, has accepted the distinguished role of Provost and Vice-President, Academic, at Aga Khan University,” Alberta Health said in a statement.

However, the statement made no mention about his ties to a private health foundation.

Recently, a CBC investigation revealed that Amrhein had an allegedly inappropriate relationship with Calgary-based Pure North S’Energy Foundation.

They reported that Amrhein participated in Pure North’s alternative-health program while deputy minister.

They also revealed that in his previous position as official administrator of Alberta Health Services he lobbied Alberta Health for funding for the foundation.

United Conservative Party Health Critic Tany Yao says there is no proof that Amrhein personally benefited, but he says he is pleased to see Amrhein go nonetheless.

“After all the ethical questions surrounding Mr. Amrhein’s tenure as DM of Health, today is a relief that he’s finally resigned,” says Yao.

He says that the government should learn from this controversy.

“We can hope that any other agencies that are receiving funding, receive funding based on proper, well-documented presentations and business plan that they’re providing to Alberta Health.”

Amrhein has served as deputy minister since August 2015.

From 2003 to 2014 he was academic provost and vice-president at the University of Alberta.

His last day on this job will be October 6th.

Associate Deputy Minister Andre Tremblay will step into the role until the government recruits a new deputy minister.