Rural Alberta MLA booted from UCP caucus for refusing to support budget [Video]

A member of the legislature that represents a rural riding north of Edmonton has been kicked out of the United Conservative Party caucus for refusing to support the 2025 provincial budget.

Backbencher Scott Sinclair, who represents the constituency of Lesser Slave Lake, said he wouldn’t vote for the budget, citing its projected multi-billion-dollar deficits and money for big cities while the rural areas are left wanting.

On Friday, the UCP caucus voted to boot Sinclair from caucus for not toeing the party line.

“Budget votes are confidence votes. The failure of a budget to pass results in an immediate election,” said a statement from ghief government whip Shane Getson.

The UCP holds an 11-seat majority in the 87-seat house, so many more UCP members would have to vote against the budget to put Premier Danielle Smith’s government at risk.

“MLA Sinclair has made it clear, both in his social media posts and in his conversations with colleagues, …