Chris Clegg
South Peace News
Expressing opposition to the United Conservative Party’s budget tabled in the Alberta Legislature Feb. 27 has prompted the party to remove Lesser Slave Lake MLA Scott Sinclair from caucus.
Sinclair voiced opposition to the budget after its release saying it was not good for rural Alberta and specifically, Lesser Slave Lake, the riding he represents.
“. . . I find most of it, at best, disappointing and, at worst, unacceptable for Albertans. I don’t know who it’s meant to serve, but it certainly isn’t for me, my family, my friends, or my constituents,” wrote Sinclair in a message to constituents.
“I’m furious at the amount of money being funneled into Edmonton and Calgary (as usual) while Northern Alberta and our riding are largely ignored.”
The full text of Sinclair’s message is published below.
Sinclair’s message drew the ire of his fellow Conservative MLAs, who voted to expel him March 8. Chief government whip Shane Getson says UCP members took the action because Sinclair made public his intentions to vote against the budget. A budget vote is a confidence vote, meaning if the budget fails, it triggers an election.
Big Lakes County Reeve Tyler Airth published a letter on the County’s website supporting Sinclair. The story appears on this page.
Meanwhile, another political leader is also supporting Sinclair. M.D. of Lesser Slave River Reeve Murray Kerik wrote a letter to Premier Danielle Smith on behalf of council echoing Sinclair’s concerns.
“This budget signals a disturbing trend. While urban centres receive substantial investments in recreation, transportation and schools, our municipality is left to contend with roads that are in desperate need of repair, and bridges teetering on the verge of failure,” wrote Kerik.
In an interview with CBC News, Kerik asked what message is sends to upcoming MLAs.
“Ther mere fact that you have a man that’s actually trying to do some good and he gets penalized for it. I’m hoping they do something to fix this.”
MLA Sinclair’s budget comments
By Scott Sinclair, MLA, Lesser Slave Lake
On Thursday, our government released the 2025 budget, and I find most of it, at best, disappointing and, at worst, unacceptable for Albertans. I don’t know who it’s meant to serve, but it certainly isn’t for me, my family, my friends, or my constituents.
The budget projects a $5 billion deficit this year, with additional deficits forecasted for the next three years. While I’m relieved that we’re finally implementing a tax cut, there is little else to celebrate. In fact, I’m furious at the amount of money being funneled into Edmonton and Calgary (as usual) while Northern Alberta and our riding are largely ignored. The continuous flow of our gross domestic product to urban centers while rural Alberta – the backbone of this province – gets left behind is appalling. It feels like we’re dealing with a provincial version of federal equalization payments, with rural communities footing the bill for the big cities.
Everyone knows I’m a huge Edmonton Oilers/sports fan, but I would never prioritize funding arena projects in major cities while essential infrastructure projects, like Highway 88 in our riding, remain incomplete.
If the government insists on running multiple deficits (which I strongly oppose), then I would expect to see real investments in one-time infrastructure projects for Northern Alberta – fixing our roads, bridges, building new schools, and upgrading regional airports. After all, most of the revenue that funds this province comes from here. Balancing the scales for once shouldn’t be too much to ask.
And if we’re going to continue pouring billions into healthcare, maybe we should stop closing our hospitals, bring back local maternity services, perform surgeries closer to home, and finally build the helipad in High Prairie. Healthcare in Northern Alberta has hit rock bottom, and while I hear about positive changes happening elsewhere, they aren’t happening here. How are we expected to accept multiple emergency department closures when the nearest care is hours away?
Here are just a few examples from the budget:
* $2.9 billion for LRT projects in Calgary and Edmonton.
* $2.6 billion for schools (but none in our riding— mostly for Calgary and Edmonton).
* $9 million for 50 new police officers in Edmonton.
* $106 million to Edmonton to demolish Northlands, develop a recreation park, and create a community gathering space.
I’m a team player, but I was elected to stand up for our region – and right now, this feels like the only option I have left. The coming week will be tough on me and my family, but I hope you all understand why I have to take this stand. The balance of power in cabinet remains in the big cities, and they continue to take ridings like Lesser Slave Lake for granted.
I don’t know who this budget is meant for, but if Trudeau’s former cabinet minister, Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, is thrilled about it – then it is probably not for Northern Alberta. It’s certainly not for our riding, and it’s definitely not for the majority of Albertans who love this province.
This budget is indefensible for the Lesser Slave Lake Constituency, and I will not support or vote for it “as is” without significant changes.
I’ll have more to say in the coming days.
Big Lakes reeve shares budget concerns
Richard Froese
South Peace News
(High Prairie) – Big Lakes County Reeve Tyler Airth supports Lesser Slave Lake MLA Scott Sinclair for his position to oppose the proposed provincial budget presented Feb. 27.
“On behalf of Big Lakes County, I am writing to express my support for MLA Scott Sinclair and the concerns he’s raised regarding the 2025 provincial budget,” Airth states in a letter posted on Big Lakes website March 3.
“As an Albertan, I share many of the sentiments expressed, particularly when it comes to the major imbalance in how our province’s resources are allocated.”
He commends the MLA for expressing his views.
“Big Lakes County is committed to stand with Mr. Sinclair as he speaks out against a budget that does not reflect the priorities of our region,” Airth says.
“We ask that our government reconsider the budget so it is fair for all Albertans so everyone has access to the services and infrastructure they deserve.”
He says the budget does not look good for the next few years.
“The budget’s $5 billion deficit and its projections for additional deficits over the next three years are concerning enough,” Airth says.
“But what’s even more alarming is how it further perpetuates the divide between rural an urban Alberta.”
He understands the difficulty in creating budgets.
“While we acknowledge the challenges involved in balancing provincial budgets, these complexities do not overshadow the broader issues highlighted in this budget,” Airth says.
“The fact that rural Alberta, including the riding of Lesser Slave Lake, continues to be sidelined in favour of Edmonton and Calgary is not just disappointing, it’s unacceptable.
“These urban centres receive vast amounts of investment while rural communities, the true backbone of the province, continue to struggle without the necessary support.”
He says it’s frustrating.
“It is disheartening to see billions (of dollars) allocated to urban transit, recreation projects and administrative expansions while northern Alberta face critical gaps in essential services,” Airth says.
“We need real investments in our roads, bridges, schools and airports.
“Additionally, the state of health care in northern Alberta is dire and the budget fails to address this urgent issue.”