Health board member quits over expenses

Resignation comes amid allegations of illegal donations

Health Quality Council board member John Vogelzang resigned Thursday after Alberta opposition parties urged him to step down over allegations of illegal donations to the governing provincial Tories and extravagant expense claims.

Board chairman Dr. Tony Fields, who at first defended Vogelzang, announced the resignation after all three opposition parties issued statements calling the credibility of the council into question.

“We take very seriously the potential impact on our organization of the findings published today,” Fields said in a late afternoon statement. “I would like to reassure Albertans of our commitment to maintain their trust while fulfilling our important mandate in Alberta’s health-care system.”

The council is responsible for ensuring the quality and safety of health services for Albertans.

Vogelzang stepped down from the watchdog council following the release of expense claims suggesting the former health region CEO made illegal donations to the Progressive Conservative party and claimed more than $21,000 on meals and rounds of golf between 2005 and 2008.

The documents, obtained by the CBC under freedom of information legislation after a lengthy battle, suggest Vogelzang claimed tickets for four PC fundraising dinners while he was heading the David Thompson health region, but later paid back $2,875 after CBC applied to see his expenses.

Earlier in the day, Fields said Vogelzang brings executive health care leadership experience to the Health Quality Council board, as well as governance experience from a variety of other boards and committees.

Fields said Vogelzang, who was appointed to the board in December 2013, has always followed the board’s expense policy rules.

But the Wildrose Official Opposition immediately slammed the donations and the spending, and the other parties followed suit.