2 more AHS board members resign

Tony Franceschini and Linda Hohol resigned their seats on the Alberta Health Services board Thursday, the second and third members to do so since the board fired its president and CEO, Stephen Duckett, the day before.

"I believe in the principle of board independence and of having well-defined mandates, roles and responsibilities,"Franceschini said. "This principle has been compromised so I've chosen to resign."

Hohol, who is based in Calgary,expressed similar sentiments in a written tatementpublished inthe Calgary Herald.

"The departure of Dr. Stephen Duckett is the unfortunate consequence of an environment which will limit any CEO or board's chances for success," she wrote.

Duckett was fired five days after he refused to speak with reporters about an emergency meeting over the province's ER crisis, saying he was too busy eating a cookie.

Shortly after Duckett was dismissed Wednesday, Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky confirmed he gave direction to the board on what action they should take.

Gord Bontje of Red Deer resigned Wednesday. He said Duckett's termination is not in the best interests of health care for Albertans.

Another member, Dr. Andreas Laupacis,istaking some time to decide his future with the14-person board.

Franceschini, the former president and CEO of Stantec, most recently served as the chair of the Edmonton bid committee for Expo 2017.