The Alberta government was quick to react when an Investigative Journalism Foundation investigation revealed that the amount of overtime worked by paramedics in Edmonton had increased by 81 per cent between 2021 and 2024.

The report was republished by several media outlets across Canada last summer through the Local Journalism Initiative.

Staff from Premier Danielle Smith’s office and the Ministry of Hospital and Surgical Health Services immediately began messaging reporters and editors, claiming that data had been omitted and asking that the story be rewritten or deleted. At least one news outlet complied with the government’s request.

But after filing multiple access to information requests, the IJF found that information cited in emails from the premier’s staff doesn’t line up with data from the province’s own health agencies.

That’s a serious problem, said Lorian Hardcastle, a professor in the faculties of law and medicine at the University of Calgary.

“In many cases, government is the only one with access to particular data,” she said. “And so it’s essential to government accountability to democracy for them to be honest and open and transparent with that data.”

“Where that data is false, or where that data is misleading or is manipulated in a way to make it seem more favourable, all of that is really problematic,” Hardcastle said. “And it takes away the ability of the public to hold the government’s feet to the fire to make improvements.” Inaccurate data also makes it harder for those working in the system to make needed changes, she said.