Alberta UCP boot former cabinet minister from caucus over scandal criticism

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Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie was officially voted out of the UCP caucus Wednesday. As Sean Amato reports, it came days after he supported an NDP motion for a public inquiry into allegations of health contract corruption.

By The Canadian Press

Posted April 16, 2025 12:37 pm.

Last Updated April 16, 2025 10:12 pm.

Alberta’s United Conservative Party says it has expelled former infrastructure minister Peter Guthrie from caucus over his repeated criticism of the government’s handling of the health-care contract scandal.

Guthrie gave up his ministerial position in February over concerns about government contracts and has been sitting as a backbencher for his Airdrie-Cochrane riding.

His pushback against Premier Danielle Smith also led the caucus to suspend him from voting in caucus matters.

Earlier this week, Guthrie again criticized the handling of the scandal, saying the government is obstructing the auditor general’s investigation and muzzling government officials.

He also voted with the Opposition NDP on a non-binding motion to have the government call a public inquiry.

Guthrie will now sit as an Independent in the legislature.

He’s the second UCP member expelled from caucus this year. Scott Sinclair was kicked out in March for threatening to vote against the government’s budget over concerns that rural communities weren’t being supported.

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