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Alberta Liberal leader to stay on for now

Last Updated: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 | 4:58 PM ET

CBC News

Alberta Liberal Leader Kevin Taft says he is not stepping down as leader of the Opposition, at least for the time being.

Taft made the comment Wednesday after returning from a two-week vacation in Greece, which caused him to miss part of the spring session of the legislature. His absence led to speculation that he was planning to leave the job as party leader.

Alberta Liberal Leader Kevin Taft said Wednesday he is staying on in his job at least for the time being, and will announce a longer-term decision at the end of June. (CBC)

"I am back to do the important work of holding the government to account," Taft said. "As leader of the Alberta Liberals, I am committed to asking the hard questions necessary of the government and representing the concerns of Albertans."

The March election saw a landslide victory for Premier Ed Stelmach's Conservatives, who took 72 of the legislature's 83 seats, leaving the opposition parties in disarray.

The Liberals lost seven of the 16 seats they held before the election and the New Democrats lost two of their four seats.

Taft said at the time he would announce whether he will stay on as leader by the end of June.

"My decision and time frame on the leadership remains what I've said for a long time, which is the end of June," the Liberal leader told reporters Wednesday.

If Taft does decide to stay on, he may face a leadership review at the party's convention, to be held this fall.

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