Alberta Cabinet Minister Gets Boot As Klein's Party Fights Over Leadership

"They're now resorting to extreme measures to shut up people who dare to criticize Ralph Klein," said NDP Leader Brian Mason. "This is Stalinesque, and I think that it is the beginning of a reign of terror in the Conservative party."

Klein did not attend the Thursday night meeting and was tight-lipped about the decision when a Global TV reporter located him in Calgary.

"For the time being, he has been suspended," said the premier. "It was obviously a tough decision for caucus, but that's the way it goes."

He wasn't available for comment Friday.

Keith Brownsey, who teaches political science at Mount Royal College, says that while Klein has a history of not wanting to ever fire a cabinet minister, it's unprecedented for him to expect caucus to "do his dirty work."

"Caucus cannot fire a cabinet minister - that's not how our system operates. That's up to the premier," said Brownsey.

"Lyle Oberg violated no rule of cabinet or caucus solidarity. He didn't vote no confidence in the budget, he didn't vote against a money bill, nothing which could damage the government per se. What he did do is tell his constituents to vote their conscience."

Full story: Alta. Tories guarded after caucus fires Oberg

Oberg booted from cabinet for anti-Klein comments
Last updated Mar 24 2006 03:30 PM MST
CBC News
Ousted cabinet minister Lyle Oberg apologized Friday for comments that resulted in him being yanked from caucus and indefinitely suspended from the inner circle.

The former minister of infrastructure and transportation was shown the door Thursday following an emergency three-hour meeting at the legislature.

Oberg, who has publicly declared his intentions to run for the Conservative leadership when Ralph Klein steps down, was chastised for a few political missteps. One of them was telling his constituents in Brooks, Alta. that he would not urge delegates at the March 31 leadership review to support Klein.

More damning perhaps was his comment: "If I were the premier, I wouldn't want me as a backbencher – I know where the skeletons are."

Oberg said Friday the comments were inappropriate.

Full story: Oberg booted from cabinet for anti-Klein comments Ex-Alberta minister Lyle Oberg says Tory plans hampered by leadership issue
Canadian Press
Published: Friday, March 24, 2006

EDMONTON (CP) - Former Alberta cabinet minister Lyle Oberg has spoken out over his ouster from Premier Ralph Klein's caucus.

Oberg, who hopes to replace Klein as leader of the Alberta Conservatives, says government initiatives have been hampered by the unofficial leadership race. Oberg was suspended from the government caucus and stripped of his transportation portfolio after saying he wouldn't ask delegates from his southern Alberta constituency to support Klein in an upcoming leadership review.

He also said that as a backbencher, he could cause Klein discomfort because he knows were some political "skeletons" are located.

Klein has asked cabinet ministers seeking the party leadership to step down before June 1, even though he won't be leaving until 2008.

Oberg is urging the party to consider the ramifications of a two-year wait to pick a new leader.

Note: Includes transcript of Oberg's remarks

Full story: Ex-Alberta minister Lyle Oberg says Tory plans hampered by leadership issue

Note: Alta. Tories guarded af... Alta. Tories guarded af... Oberg booted from cabin... Oberg booted from cabin... Ex-Alberta minister Lyl... Ex-Alberta minister Lyl...