During a news conference in Calgary Thursday afternoon, Premier Ed Stelmach, announced Ted Morton has resigned as the finance minister of Alberta.
Morton expressed his interest to run as Tory leader and premier.
"It is my intention to seek leadership of this party," Morton told reporters in Calgary.
Stelmach has now appointed Treasury Board president Lloyd Snelgrove to replace Morton. Snelgrove will present the next provincial budget. Stelmach maintains the PC Party is united.
"Contrary to speculation this does not reflect a caucus divided over budget or any other issue," said Stelmach.
Stelmach said he is pleased Morton is remaining in caucus. The premier said no other ministers have expressed their intent to resign at this point in time.
Critics aren't buying Stelmach's claim that the party remains united.
"I think it is unprecedented to have a premier and a finance minister resign in the same week before a budget is to be presented," said Wildrose Alliance Leader Danielle Smith.
The news of Morton resigning comes just two days after Stelmach's surprising announcement of his own intent to resign.
Stelmach said after 25 years serving in politics, he has decided he won't run in the next provincial election.
"I am not prepared to serve another full term as premier," Stelmach said during his speech.
Stelmach said he plans to serve the president of the PC Party his letter of resignation after the spring session. But it remains unclear when the leadership race will officially begin.
On Wednesday, the Conservative caucus met behind closed doors to discuss the provincial budget.
CTV News caught up with Morton as he was leaving the meeting. Reports had already surfaced at that point that the finance minister was ready to resign, but he denied that claim to CTV's cameras on Wednesday.
"No you media people have been making lots of nice stories out of that, but why would I do that?" said Morton.
Stelmach said he plans to present a budget that that "will be received by most as tough yet responsible."
Alberta has a $5 billion deficit and revenues have not climbed as projected. There has been speculation that the economics were perhaps a contributing factor in Stelmach's decision to resign.
Morton has already alluded to his aspirations as premier of Alberta.
"I have concerns about vote-splitting, my goal has been stated repeatedly in public over the past six months -- to bring the two parties together," he said.
But Smith insists the two parties will not be merging.
"I gather he figures he will win the leadership and then I will just roll the party into the PCs...I think that is pretty delusional," said Smith.
Morton is the first to announce his intention to run in the Tory leadership race. Stelmach said he expects to hear from other cabinet ministers and MLAs who intend to run for leadership the the coming days.
With files from Sonia Sunger
