Edmonton Alberta Health Services board member Tony Franceschini and Calgary member Linda Hohol both confirmed Thursday they are resigning from the board. This comes a day after Alberta Health Services dismissed CEO and President Dr. Stephen Duckett.

"I believe in the principle of board independence. This principle has been compromised and I have chosen to resign," said Franceschini.

"The departure of Dr. Stephen Duckett is the unfortunate consequence of an environment, which will limit any CEOs or the board's chance of success," Hohol told CTV News.

Two-year Red Deer board member Gord Bontje was the first member to resign Wednesday.

"My judgment would be that Stephen was a pretty competent guy and undertaking a very difficult job and needed the support of his board and not to be sacked," said Bontje.

"We need to judge his performance not his behaviour with the cookie," he added.

Hughes said Dr. Chris Eagle, the current Executive Vice President of Quality and Services improvement for Alberta Health Services, will now step in as the acting CEO.

Health Minister Gene Zwozdesky has admitted to weighing in the decision, and that was another contributing factor as to why Bontje said he left.

"He can state his opinion but I don't think he had any business whatsoever contacting the board. Totally inappropriate."

The health minister said he will not be getting involved in the process of finding a new CEO.

"That is a role and that is a function of the board."

The chairman of Alberta Health Services Ken Hughes has admitted Duckett's unusual exchange with reporters that made headlines around the world influenced the board's decision to dismiss the CEO and president.

Duckett became a hot topic in Edmonton and around the world after a 2-minute and 13-second exchange with reporters, including CTV, in which he refused to answer questions about health care reforms -- because he was eating a cookie.

And that unusual encounter influenced the 14-member of Alberta Health Services to boot Duckett.

"His ability to conduct the leadership role that he was charged with was compromised," said Hughes.

Hughes announced Duckett's dismissal to media Wednesday afternoon after the board met twice in the past 24 hours to discuss the fate of Duckett's career with AHS.

Hughes said both the board and Duckett jointly agreed that "now is the time to move on."

With files from Bill Fortier