Liberals blast six-figure AHS severance package

Former VP paid more than$425,000

A“golden handshake” for a former Alberta Health Services vice-president is an example of the Tory government’s misplaced priorities, says Liberal Leader Raj Sherman.

On Tuesday, the Liberals released documents that showed Alison Tonge — who was terminated without cause from her position as AHS’s vice-president for strategy and performance in January — received a severance package of 12 monthly payments of $35,548.

The total amount of $426,576 is equivalent to her annual salary of $370,000, plus the benefits owed to her.

As well, Tonge was to receive $44,511 in “at risk” bonus pay, according to the termination letter obtained by the Liberals.

“Where is the accountability from the government? These are governmental arms,” said Sherman.

“Is this standard practice in agencies, boards and commissions to give these exorbitant sums? It’s no wonder this government is nickeland-diming working families ... and cutting back on home care for our seniors and giving them only one bath a week.”

Sherman said he had heard good things about the work Tonge was doing within AHS and had no idea why she was let go.

No one from Alberta Health Services was made available for an interview Tuesday.

But Don Stewart, spokesman for the health superboard, said in an email that a severance equivalent to one year’s salary is part of a standard AHS executive employment contract.

“(Tonge’s) position was eliminated when the AHS senior executive team

With all the expenditures, the costs are being downloaded towards families LIBERAL LEADER RAJ SHERMAN

was restructured and downsized last year,” he said, noting that the number of senior executives within the system had dropped from 84 to 81.

Tongue, who came to Alberta in 2009 from the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, was also eligible after her departure for a $15,000 relocation allowance if she moved away from Edmonton.

According to her LinkedIn profile, Tonge has returned to the National Health Service in a new position.

The termination letter also shows that Tonge would be reimbursed for up to $10,000 in legal costs associated with her application for permanent residency in Canada.

AHS also made available career transition counselling to Tonge, although it “was not contemplated” in her employment contract.

Tongue is one of four senior past and present AHS officials whose expenses were posted online last week in response to freedom of information requests.

Since the summer, the PC government has been plagued by the issue of lavish expenses, both inside government and in arms-length bodies.

Sherman said Tonge had some questionable expenses, including $2,300 for limousine services.

“With all the expenditures, the costs are being downloaded towards families,” he said.