Sandra Prusina, 660 News, July 9, 2010 Alberta Health Services is running a massive deficit and despite that executives earned $5.8 million in salary and bonuses in 2009. AHS President and CEO Stephen Duckett made a total of $744,000. Now, the United Nurses of Alberta is now wondering "why?" Heather Smith with the union tells CTV this revelation raises many questions, including on what basis was their performance even measured. Ed Stelmach says that although the numbers seem high, they are substantially lower than what other CEOs would earn in a year. He also says the province eliminated nine regional health boards in favour of one superboard and that is keeping administrative costs lower.