Chris Clegg
South Peace News
Ousted Lesser Slave Lake MLA Scott Sinclair is one of two people launching a revival of the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta, which held power in Alberta for 44 years from 1971-2015.
July 5, Sinclair posted on his Facebook page the party’s relaunching, calling it a return to a party focused on accountability, steady leadership, and putting Albertans first, not ideology or self-interest.
Sinclair and another ousted United Conservative MLA, Peter Guthrie, are involved. Both now sit as Independent MLAs in the Alberta Legislature. July 5, the men held what they called a “relaunch” of the party in Calgary.
The revived party will offer a clear, principles alternative to the chaos and uncertainty that has defined Alberta politics in recent years, they promise.
“Leadership means showing up, doing the work, and being accountable to the people you serve,” reads the Facebook post.
“That’s the historical foundation of this party and it’s what Albertan deserve.”
The first hurdle in the reinstatement process is gathering 8,819 signatures by November. The number represents 0.3 per of Alberta’s voting population.
Taking a clear shot at the ruling UCP, the post adds it is “a steady alternative to the polarized and incompetent politics dominating the province. The party’s leadership says Albertans are calling for a return to respectful public service, practical solutions and a focus on the fundamentals like healthcare, education, the economy, and responsible stewardship of public resources.”
Sinclair adds the following.
“We heard it every day: people feel politically homeless. We’re here to offer a real conservative choice that is grounded, steady and focused on getting things done.”
Guthrie said July 5 in Calgary that the province seems to have two parties focused on a small segment of the population.
“We have an NDP that seems to be focused on 20 to 30 per cent of the population on the left, and we have the UCP that seems to be focused on the same-sized group on the right.”
He adds Alberta is and always will be a progressive conservative province and that Premier Danielle Smith’s UCP party is no longer a real conservative party.
Guthrie resigned in February and Sinclair was ousted in March after criticizing the provincial budget. Among his concerns were significant deficits and spending too heavily in Alberta’s major cities than rural communities.