Man arrested after minister threatened at PDD meeting

A police tactical team was called to a meeting in Edmonton Wednesday after a man allegedly made a threat against Frank Oberle, associate minister of persons with disabilities.

Oberle wasattending a meeting at the Italian Cultural Centreabout cuts to the province's Persons With Developmental Disabilities (PDD) program.

Police were called after community resource worker Rebekah Sevigny heard a man outside the building make a threat against the minister.

"I was shocked that they didnt have security guards here because when I heard the threat, I immediately came in to try and find security," Sevigny told CBC News.

She said the man had a support worker with him who was unaware of what happened.

Charges are pending against one man who was arrested around 4:30 p.m. A second man was taken into custody but was releasedwithout facing any charges.

After the meeting, Oberle said that police called himout of the room and asked him to wait until the situation was resolved.

He said he understands the passion that people have about the changes.

"This is a difficult issue, I don't deny that," Oberle said. "I did continue today and I'm going to continue with my meetings across the province."

Policesaid that Oberle was not in any danger and no one was hurt.