UPDATED: MLA Scott Sinclair punted from UCP caucus over budget dispute

The United Conservative Party (UCP) caucus voted Friday to remove Lesser Slave Lake MLA Scott Sinclair from its ranks, effective immediately.

The decision flows from Sinclair’s vocal opposition to the party’s upcoming budget, a stand that put him at odds with the UCP’s expectations for government members.

Budget votes in Alberta are considered matters of confidence, meaning that a failure to pass the budget would trigger an immediate election. Traditionally, all government MLAs are required to support a tabled budget.

However, Sinclair, who has represented Lesser Slave Lake since his election, made it clear he would break ranks. Through a social media post, he expressed his intent to vote against the budget, citing concerns over its contents.

The Alberta budget posted multi-year deficits with a small tax break for over two million Albertans..

"I find most of it, at best, disappointing and, at worst, unacceptable for Albertans," said Sinclair on Facebook. "I don’t know who it’s meant to serve, but it certainly isn’t for me, my family, my friends, or my constituents. In fact, I’m furious at the amount of money being funnelled into Edmonton and Calgary — as usual — while northern Alberta and our riding are largely ignored."

Sinclair said it's appalling the region's GDP flows to urban centres — while rural Albertans "the backbone of this province" get left behind. He said it feels like he is contending with a provincial version of federal equalization payments — lots of money going out with not enough returning, "with rural communities footing the bill for the big cities."

"Everyone knows I’m a huge 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," said Sinclair. 

"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."

Sinclair continued, "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?"

Sinclair called-out specific budget expenditures, like $2.9 billion for LRT projects in Calgary and Edmonton, $2.6 billion for schools (none in Sinclair's riding) $9 million for 50 new police officers in Edmonton, and $106 million to Edmonton to demolish the old Northlands Coliseum — developing a recreation park, and creating 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," said Sinclair.

"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."

A UCP caucus spokesperson said Sinclair has the right, as an elected representative, to vote according to his conscience.

“However, that decision cannot be exercised as a member of the government caucus.”

The spokesperson confirmed that the speaker of the assembly was notified of Sinclair’s removal earlier Friday.

Sinclair’s ejection leaves him to sit as an independent MLA, raising questions about his political future and the stability of the UCP government as it prepares for the critical budget vote.