Alberta transport minister booted out of cabinet

EDMONTON — Alberta Transportation Minister Lyle Oberg has been stripped of his cabinet portfolio for criticizing Premier Ralph Klein.

Thought of as a Tory leadership contender, Oberg was also suspended from caucus, Canadian Press reports.

Oberg reportedly told his constituency association in Brooks, Alta. that Klein’s order last week that ministers wishing to succeed him leave cabinet by June 1 was “a bombshell” and could backfire.

Klein has said he plans to stay on as premier until early 2008, depending on the results of the March 31 vote in Calgary.

Oberg also said he wouldn’t be asking Tory delegates from his riding to support Klein in a mandatory leadership review at the end of the month.

Oberg will be allowed to apply to return to the caucus in six months, but will no longer be a member of the government during his suspension.

Oberg has been a government member since 1993 and a cabinet minister for nine years.

The province’s trucking association has found it easy to work with the minister. Under Oberg’s watch work began in twinning Alberta’s Hwy. 63 to the oilsands in Fort McMurray; he launched a pilot program to professionally certify new truck drivers; and green lighted a plan that would resurrect Alberta’s Partners In Compliance (PIC) program.

— with files from Canadian Press