EDMONTON - Alberta Finance Minister Lyle Oberg says he's quitting politics because it's simply time to move on after 14 years in government, not because of any friction with Premier Ed Stelmach.
The premier says Oberg will remain as finance minister and deliver the next provincial budget on Feb. 14.
But Stelmach dismissed media reports that he was preparing to drop Oberg from cabinet after the election because the two men had butted heads on numerous issues, including energy royalties.
Oberg is somewhat vague about his future plans, but says he'll explore the possibility of working for either the World Health Organization or as an adviser on a U.S. presidential campaign.
But the family doctor from Brooks, who has held several cabinet posts, says he won't be returning to his medical practice.
Oberg finished fourth behind Stelmach in the Progressive Conservative leadership race last year and then got the finance portfolio after he backed Stelmach on the decisive second ballot.
