EDMONTON — Alberta Health Services says it will pay its executives bonuses this year because they’ve already done the work.
The day-to-day health provider says the bonuses are part of the agreed to contract for senior officials.
Board chairman Stephen Lockwood says it would be unreasonable to change compensation for executives when the fiscal year is almost over.
The board says it is still committed to eliminating the performance pay starting April 1, which is the beginning of the new fiscal year.
It said the move was part of a plan to save 10 per cent, or $35 million, on administrative expenses in the next three years.
But the provider has come under pressure from the government and the official Opposition to cut the bonuses now.
“These people have already done the work, and it would be wrong from many perspectives to not compensate them as per their terms of employment,” Lockwood said.
“We’ve already said that pay at risk is eliminated moving forward, but we are honouring our commitment for work that has already been completed.”