Alberta MLA Scott Sinclair, currently in conflict with the UCP government over budget 2025, says he is not crossing the floor to the NDP — and he may still vote for the budget as an independent.
Sinclair criticized the budget, tabled on February 27, as "indefensible" and "unacceptable for Albertans," particularly for its perceived favouritism toward urban centres like Edmonton and Calgary over rural areas like his constituency.
He highlighted specific expenditures, like $2.9 billion for urban LRT projects and $106 million for demolishing Edmonton’s Northlands Coliseum, arguing that rural infrastructure and healthcare needs — such as highway repairs and hospital services — were being neglected.
Sinclair vowed not to support the budget without major changes, a stance that defied the UCP’s expectation that government MLAs vote in favour of the budget, which is considered a confidence motion under parliamentary convention.
As a result of his dissent, the UCP caucus voted on March 7 to remove Sinclair from its ranks, effective immediately, forcing him to sit as an independent MLA.
"I was told that the premier would remove me herself and then, I think, on Friday, that changed, and I was voted out by my peers" said Sinclair, noting the situation has propelled his support in his riding.
"And one of the things I'd mentioned that's quite frustrating is I wasn't given a chance to speak inside of caucus."
Sinclair added, "So definitely, very disappointed in that fact. But I'm not trying to burn bridges. I'm not crossing the floor, and I could still vote for the budget as an independent."