Suspended Tory MLA Dr. Raj Sherman has apologized to Energy Minister Ron Liepert for comments he made last week. But Liepert says he doesn't want an apology and would rather have Sherman retract his statements.
Last week while attending a health meeting, Sherman singled out former health minister, Ron Liepert, who he said was "rude and offensive to front-line staff."
"The previous minister, to be honest, was quite rude and offensive to all front-line staff. Doctors, nurses and patients. I allowed that to happen. I didn't speak up, so I take responsibility for that," Sherman was quoted as saying.
Liepert called the comment "hurtful and "totally inappropriate."
And even though Sherman has apologized for hurting Liepert's feelings, it doesn't seem to be enough for the minister.
"I don't want an apology. I want him to withdraw publicly... retract the remarks he made about my character that he can't substantiate," said Liepert.
When asked if he was going to retract the comments he made about Liepert, Sherman told CTV News: "When you make certain comments...once you make them you can't retract them."
This comes a day after Sherman was suspended from the PC caucus.
Premier Ed Stelmach has already announced that Edmonton-Rutherford MLA Fred Horne will take over Sherman's previous post as the parliamentary assistant for health.
Sherman has made headlines in recent days after he aired his frustration and concern with the province's health care system in an e-mail to more than 30 people, a list that included Premier Ed Stelmach and Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky.
He held nothing back in the e-mail revealing that he had recently offered his resignation to the minister after he felt he could no longer support decisions made by Alberta Health Services.
Sherman also took direct aim at the premier accusing Stelmach of broken promises.
But Sherman softened his tone a bit after meeting with the premier last week. Sherman said his frustrations peaked recently because his ailing father had several near-death experiences while waiting for health care, which he also opened up about in the e-mail.
There was no formal reason given as to why Sherman was suspended. Liepert and the premier have both said out of respect for caucus confidentiality, they will not divulge that specific information. But both sides have admitted the comment Sherman made about Liepert was just one of the reasons he was suspended.
The Stelmach Government has said this is an indefinite suspension and Sherman could sit as an independent for the rest of the session.
Sherman's replacement, Fred Horne, will now work directly with Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky.
With files from Kevin Armstrong
