Government whip says ousted indigenous MLA being treated fairly

Chief Government Whip MLA Shane Getson told reporters on Tuesday that indigenous MLA Scott Sinclair, now sitting as an independent, isn't being treated unfairly even though he is being forced to sit — as per protocol — next to the NDP in the legislature.

Sinclair (Lesser Slave Lake) was removed from the United Conservative Party (UCP) caucus on March 7 after threatening to vote against the government’s proposed 2025 budget. He publicly criticized the budget in a social media post on March 1, calling it “at best, disappointing and, at worst, unacceptable for Albertans.”

He expressed frustration over its focus on urban centres like Edmonton and Calgary, while rural areas like his constituency faced neglected infrastructure needs, such as Highway 88, and inadequate health care investments.

The Western Standard asked Getson if Sinclair is being treated unfairly.

"I don't believe so," he said. "So, there were some concerns, or some questions, on what a confidence vote is in our Westminster system. It's pretty clear, budget items are a confidence vote item. Scott was afforded every opportunity to talk about that. There's only a couple things where I would ever whip a vote as the chief government whip — budget is one of those."

Getson added, "And he has made that decision himself."

Sinclair told the Western Standard he was frustrated that his voice wasn't being heard.

Both Sinclair and MLA Peter Guthrie have faced recent consequences for challenging the government, but the outcomes and processes differ, raising questions about fairness.

Sinclair was expelled from caucus for threatening to vote against budget 2025. Guthrie (Airdrie-Cochrane) faced a different fate.

On February 25, he resigned as infrastructure minister, citing concerns over government-wide procurement practices and allegations of corruption tied to AHS.

Guthrie publicly criticized Premier Danielle Smith and cabinet for not addressing these issues, even calling for Health Minister Adriana LaGrange’s removal.

Unlike Sinclair, Guthrie remained in the UCP caucus as a backbencher, though he was placed “on probation” and barred from caucus meetings temporarily.

Sinclair noted this disparity, saying Guthrie was given a chance to defend himself before caucus when on the “chopping block,” a process he was allegedly denied.