Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver has resigned from cabinet amid speculation he will run for the vacant position of Speaker of the house.
Premier Danielle Smith, in announcing his resignation, said in a statement Tuesday that she's grateful for McIver's commitment and hard work in serving Albertans.
Tourism Minister Joseph Schow will take on McIver's portfolio on an interim basis, Smith said.
"Minister Schow will be available to municipalities around the province as they continue to navigate the uncertainty of the wildfire season," she said.
McIver served as municipal affairs minister under two premiers and had previous experience as transportation minister, infrastructure minister and jobs minister.
He was first elected to the legislative assembly in 2012 after more than a decade as a city councillor in Calgary.
Alberta's legislative assembly is to vote later today to elect a new Speaker of the legislature after former Speaker Nathan Cooper resigned last week.
Asked last week if he was interested in becoming Speaker, McIver told reporters: "Stay tuned."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 13, 2025.