Good morning, everyone.

This week, Alberta’s Auditor-General was told if he wanted to stay beyond the end of his term, which is up next April, he’d have to re-apply for the position.

On Monday, the government said it would begin a search to fill Doug Wylie’s job, which he has held for eight years. While Wylie had offered to stick around for two more years to complete his investigation into procurement practices in the province’s health care system, the province turned him down.

While it isn’t clear if he intends to re-apply, Wylie says he is now in a race to complete his investigation. The Globe and Mail first reported in February that Alberta Health Services’ former chief executive alleged the government had interfered in the procurement process, playing favourites with certain private companies.

The health agency’s CEO, Athana Mentzelopoulos, was fired by the government in January, two days before she was set to discuss her concerns with Wylie. The government alleges Mentzelopoulos was fired for incompetence. None of the allegations have been tested in court.

In an interview with The Globe’s Carrie Tait, Wylie said his office has been head down on the procurement investigation, but now that it appears he will not be around past April, he will work to get everything wrapped up by then.

“We’re going to try to get that piece done before I leave,” he said. “I really want to see that through. That was my whole focus for the offer to stay on.”

Wylie said his office is still in the midst of interviewing people and nowhere near the final stages.

Wylie’s investigation is one of three that were opened into the ongoing procurement controversy that has roiled Alberta Premier Danielle Smith‘s government for months.

The RCMP have opened their own probe into health procurement and contracts. And last month, Raymond Wyant, a retired judge from Manitoba appointed by the government to conduct an independent review, released his findings.

While the Premier has pointed at Wyant’s report as evidence politicians and political staff were operating above board, Wyant noted he could not make “a final and absolute determination” regarding allegations of interference by government officials. Unlike Wylie, Wyant did not have the power to compel people to be interviewed, including elected officials. Wyant did not speak with any politicians as part of his probe.

The Alberta NDP believe the plan to start the search process to replace the Auditor-General is a way to shut down the investigation.

“The UCP government effectively chose to fire the Auditor-General that is currently investigating them,” said NDP MLA David Shepherd.

UCP MLA Scott Cyr said the accusations that the government is looking to avoid accountability has no merit.

“The allegation that we are firing him is completely false,” he told the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices on Monday. “Mr. Wylie is able to put his name forward for the position again.”

“We want the best person to be put forward.”

This is the weekly Alberta newsletter written by Alberta Bureau Chief Mark Iype. If you’re reading this on the web, or it was forwarded to you from someone else, you can sign up for it and all Globe newsletters here.