Schweitzer leaves Alberta cabinet post, plans to resign as MLA soon

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Doug Schweitzer has resigned as Alberta’s jobs, economy and innovation minister.

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Announcing in a tweet Friday that he had provided his resignation to Premier Jason Kenney earlier in the day, Schweitzer added that his plan is to “serve as an MLA until the end of this month or such other date established closer to that time.” He did not give a specific reason for leaving the seat earlier than planned.

A byelection would normally have to be called within six months of an MLA’s seat being vacated. A general election must be held by the end of May 2023.

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The Calgary-Elbow MLA was elected MLA for Calgary-Elbow in 2019 and served as justice minister and solicitor general. He has been the province’s jobs, economy and innovations minister for the past two years.

Schweitzer, a lawyer who managed the 2014 leadership campaign for former premier Jim Prentice, sought the leadership of the UCP in 2017, coming in third after Kenney and Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche MLA Brian Jean.

This May, Schweitzer announced he would not be seeking re-election, but said he intended to serve in cabinet until a new leader was chosen. The UCP is set to pick a new leader until Oct. 6.

On Friday, Schweitzer thanked his supporters and team members and said he is proud of what they have accomplished.

Kenney issued a statement via Twitter thanking Schweitzer for his service.

“His contributions to Alberta’s government have helped set Alberta back on the path of economic growth and prosperity,” Kenney wrote.

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In a Friday afternoon statement, Samir Kayande, the NDP’s candidate for Calgary-Elbow, thanked Schweitzer for his service but noted he is excited for the opportunity to run for the seat in a byelection or general election.

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