Ken Hughes, MLA, announced today that he is stepping down as Minister of Municipal Affairs effective immediately.

Edmonton, April 7, 2014: Media Contact

I have notified Premier Hancock that I am resigning my position from Cabinet effective immediately. I have urged him and the Government of Alberta to continue to pursue the assertive agenda we have established on behalf of municipalities and Albertans. I have also asked the Premier to consider allowing me to continue to have input into the Southern Alberta Flood Recovery Task Force. I will continue to serve the people of Calgary West, will attend to duties as a private Member of the Legislative Assembly, and will support the 2014-15 annual budget in the Legislature of Alberta. Other developments can be expected in the coming days.

Hughes will focus on issues important to the people of Alberta: 1) Public trust 2) Confidence in leadership 3) Understanding and respecting the value of the public dollar

Most decisions of this government over the past couple of years were the right ones for Alberta. Some decisions that have come to light in recent months are completely and utterly indefensible. Those decisions do not reflect my values, the values of Albertans, nor the values of the Progressive Conservative party I know, observed Hughes. Ken Hughes was first elected to the Legislature of Alberta 2 years ago, in April, 2012 for Calgary West. He served as Minister of Energy for 19 months, and Minister of Municipal Affairs for 4 months. During the previous 19 years he and his wife Denise established and built a family business, actively supported the community in many ways, and raised their family of three children, now all teenagers. They live in Springbank.