Alberta Health Services Fires ‘Cookie Monster’ CEO

Stephen Duckett has been given the boot, prompting at least three other board members to resign in protest.

As far as ways to get yourself fired go, trying to put a cookie in the mouth of a reporter while she asks how you plan to fix the health system turns out to be a pretty good one. Duckett has been let go from his position helming Alberta’s independent health authority after a video of him dodging reporters by shouting “I’m eating my cookie!” went viral. Three board members are expected to resign in protest because they say Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky intervened to get Duckett fired. Duckett’s dismissal continues the turmoil surrounding Alberta’s health system, which some say is verging on collapse. Raj Sherman was booted from the Conservative caucus this week for criticizing the government’s health policies.