Sometimes integrity comes at a cost. In the case of MLA Scott Sinclair (Lesser Slave Lake) the price is banishment from his peers and a seat in the house next to the Alberta NDP.Sinclair, who is indigenous, criticized Budget 2025, 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 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 — like highway repairs and hospital services — were being neglected. Sinclair vowed not to support the budget without major changes, a stand 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..During a media scrum on Monday, Sinclair held his ground, while maintaining a high level of dignity and respect for his constituency and colleagues. He took responsibility for making a difficult decision."And people told me, this is not how you do things. It's not how you do things. I understand that. And I did try through the regular streams that we have, and I just felt like my voice wasn't being heard," he said.Sinclair told reporters that he won't cross the floor to the NDP. He may still support the budget when the time comes.His family supported him in the legislature on Monday, an indication of good character and fidelity.Sinclair, who received significant recognition from the NDP in the house on Monday, should be encouraged and rewarded for having a backbone.
