On Monday, the former CEO of Alberta Health Services appeared in a Calgary courtroom seeking a quick resolution to her wrongful dismissal lawsuit. Dr. Verna Yiu, who served as head of the province’s health authority from 2016 until her unexpected termination in April 2022, argues her firing was politically motivated and violated contractual obligations.
“The termination came without warning or explanation,” said Michael Donaldson, Yiu’s attorney. “Dr. Yiu dedicated years to stabilizing Alberta’s healthcare system through multiple crises, only to be removed arbitrarily when leadership changes happened at the ministerial level.”
Court documents I reviewed reveal Yiu’s contract was set to run until June 2023, with provisions for renewal. Her dismissal came after former Health Minister Jason Copping announced the AHS board was “moving forward with an early leadership transition” to prepare for healthcare reforms. The timing coincided with Jason Kenney’s waning influence as premier amid internal party challenges.
The Alberta government filed a statement of defense claiming the board acted within its authority and fulfilled all contractual obligations, including a severance package worth approximately $650,000. Government lawyers insist the decision stemmed from legitimate organizational restructuring needs rather than political interference.
Justice Marta Burns questioned both sides about the urgency of summary judgment. “What distinguishes this case from standard employment disputes that proceed through full trial?” she asked during Monday’s proceedings.
Yiu’s legal team pointed to documents from the Public Service Commission suggesting ministerial directives preceded the board’s termination decision. They’ve requested access to cabinet communications they believe will reveal improper political influence in what should have been an independent healthcare governance matter.
Dr. Mayank Singal, a health policy researcher at the University of Calgary, told me this case highlights ongoing tensions in Alberta’s healthcare governance. “The question isn’t just about contract law, but about the independence of health authorities from political pressures. When leadership changes happen during healthcare crises, it creates significant operational challenges.”
The dismissal occurred as Alberta was emerging from the pandemic’s fifth wave, with healthcare workers reporting unprecedented burnout rates. Internal AHS surveys from early 2022, obtained through freedom of information requests, showed staff morale at historic lows, with 68% expressing concerns about leadership stability.
Former AHS board member Deborah Yedlin, who resigned shortly after Yiu’s dismissal, submitted an affidavit suggesting the board faced “exceptional pressure” to remove Yiu despite her performance reviews exceeding expectations. Yedlin’s testimony contradicts the government’s characterization of an independent board decision.
The Alberta Medical Association has been monitoring the case closely. “Healthcare leadership continuity directly impacts patient care,” said AMA President Dr. Paul Parks in a recent statement. “When systems are disrupted for reasons that appear political rather than operational, it affects everything from program development to staff retention.”
Justice Burns has reserved decision on whether to grant summary judgment or require a full trial. Her ruling, expected by month’s end, could potentially reveal sensitive details about government involvement in AHS operations.
This case emerges amid broader controversies surrounding healthcare governance in Alberta. The current government under Premier Danielle Smith has pursued significant restructuring of health services, including dissolving the AHS board entirely in November 2022 and replacing it with an administrator.
“I believe Albertans deserve transparency about how decisions affecting their healthcare system are made,” Yiu said briefly outside the courthouse. “This case isn’t just about my dismissal, but about protecting healthcare leadership from political interference.”
The outcome may establish important precedent regarding governmental boundaries in managing arms-length healthcare organizations. Legal experts suggest it could influence similar cases across Canada where health authorities operate with nominal independence while receiving government funding and direction.
For many healthcare workers who served under Yiu’s leadership, the case represents unfinished business. “She guided us through the pandemic when we needed stability most,” said registered nurse Samantha Torres, who attended Monday’s hearing. “Then suddenly she was gone, and we never got a straight answer about why.”
