Alberta’s most popular Conservative Minister Devin Dreeshen has been forced to resign from Jason Kenney’s cabinet following allegations of regular alcohol consumption revealed in a lawsuit from a disgruntled former employee and ex-lover.
The lawsuit in question was filed by former ministerial chief of staff Ariella Kimmel, who claims she was only fired because she pointed out conduct issues in other offices. Dreeshen was only tangentially mentioned in the suit — but the door was left open for the CBC to pounce.
Kimmel spitefully wrote about her ex-romantic partner Dreeshen, alleging that he shouted at her while drunk at one point in time.
In response to sensationalized coverage from the CBC and other outlets, Dreeshen issued an apology and offered his formal resignation to avoid making the personal issue impact the work that the Ministry of Agriculture is doing to protect farmers during an unprecedented year.
“This morning, I offered Premier Jason Kenney my resignation as minister of agriculture and forestry, and he has accepted,” Dreeshen said in a Tweet.
“I deeply regret that this is the case but have decided that it is best for both myself and the province to resign my position and focus on my personal health and wellness.”
This morning, I offered Premier Jason Kenney my resignation as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and he has accepted.
I accept that my personal conduct with regards to alcohol has become an issue for the government as a whole.
— Devin Dreeshen (@DevinDVote) November 5, 2021
According to several staffers, Dreeshen and many staff members would regularly call out ‘shields up’ to signal that it was okay to have a few drinks in the evening and that the doors needed to be locked to prevent prying eyes sneaking in.
Reasonable.
Occasionally, they would also decide on a code word for people in the know to come in and out.
Hilarious, but not a crime.
Moreover, one staffer says that drinking is quite common across ministries as it plays an important social role in governance.
Indeed, Churchill brought the Third Reich to its knees while he was half-cut.
“In some offices, there was a social component to the job, and that involved drinking,” says the staffer.
According to Kimmel, who was engaging in romantic acts with a Minister-of-the-Crown while she was employed by the government, Dreeshen allegedly made her cry once.
Kimmel now alleges that she was only fired for raising concerns regarding the workplace culture and hopes to recover lost wages resulting from her abrupt removal.
Kimmel wants the taxpayer to cough up nearly half a million dollars in damages.
Must’ve been a tough break up.
As for Dreeshan, he says that he is “not aware of any allegations of harassment” and prefers to keep his relationships private.
