UPDATED: Former UCP minister Peter Guthrie removed from caucus

Airdrie-Cochrane MLA Peter Guthrie was expelled from the United Conservative Party (UCP) caucus on Wednesday.

On April 14, Guthrie voted with the opposition NDP on a motion tabled by NDP health critic Sarah Hoffman calling for a judge-led public inquiry into Alberta Health Services (AHS) procurement allegations.

The controversy involves an RCMP and auditor general investigation. As well, the former CEO of AHS is suing the province for $1.7 million for wrongful dismissal — saying she was fired for investigating alleged irregularities.

"Criticizing government comes at a cost, and I was asking for openness, transparency, honesty," said Guthrie, a professional engineer, in a media scrum. "And instead of embracing that, the government has done everything that it can to impede processes, those very processes that could exonerate them, and in doing so, they make themselves look culpable."

Independent MLA Scott Sinclair, a former UCP member, also supported the NDP motion. Guthrie, a former UCP cabinet minister, resigned as minister of infrastructure on February 25, citing concerns over the government’s procurement practices across all departments. He said he had pushed for reforms.

On April 14, Guthrie commented on his support for a public inquiry into the AHS procurement allegations, saying, “If we have nothing to hide, we should take that path."

Sinclair told media on Wednesday he will "never join the NDP" despite being forced to sit next to them in the legislature. He said is disappointed about what happened to Guthrie.

"He is certainly somebody that I admire, and I think the questions he's been asking are fair, asking for financial oversight and making sure that we're maintaining the trust of Albertans."