By Canadian Press

CP NewsAlert: Alberta agriculture minister quits cabinet amid concerns about drinking

Nov 5, 2021 | 10:39 AM

EDMONTON — Alberta Agriculture Minister Devin Dreeshen has resigned from cabinet amid concerns over his drinking.

Dreeshen, in a short statement, says his “conduct” with alcohol has become a distraction from government business and it’s time he step aside and focus on his personal health and wellness.

Dreeshen, the legislature member for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake, says he offered Premier Jason Kenney his resignation and Kenney accepted.

Kenney says he has tabbed Nate Horner, the associate minister in charge of rural economic development, to become the new agriculture minister.

The drinking issue surfaced last week in a lawsuit filed by a former senior government staffer, who once had a romantic relationship with Dreeshen.

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In the statement of claim, Ariella Kimmel alleges she encountered Dreeshen and others heavily intoxicated in a legislature office last fall.

The document says Kimmel expressed concern for how much Dreeshen was drinking and encouraged him to stop, which she alleges led to Dreeshen publicly berating her until she was in tears.

The allegations have not been proven in court.

The Canadian Press