The Progressive Conservative Party is being reformed in Alberta. (Photo: Pattison Media)

By Canadian Press

Former United Conservative MLAs resuscitating Alberta’s once-dominant PC Party

Jul 2, 2025 | 1:06 PM

Two former members of Alberta’s governing United Conservative Party are resuscitating the province’s once-dominant Progressive Conservative Party.

Former infrastructure minister Peter Guthrie and legislature member Scott Sinclair were booted from caucus earlier this year for pushing back against Premier Danielle Smith’s government and now sit as Independents.

Sinclair says the province’s two-party system has become too divisive, and they want to galvanize support from Albertans who feel they don’t have a political home.

Former NDP premier Rachel Notley ended the PC’s 44-year dynasty in 2015, prompting conservatives to merge the Wildrose and PCs into the United Conservative Party.

Sinclair told the Ryan Jespersen podcast that Smith has morphed what was supposed to be a mainstream, big-tent party into a separatist party.

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Guthrie said on the podcast that Smith has turned her back on accountability while spending too much money on a growing, bloated bureaucracy.

The two are aiming to gather the 8,800 signatures needed to register as a political party with Elections Alberta.

Naheed Nenshi, MLA-Elect for Edmonton-Strathcona, issued the following statement in response:

“As the official opposition with 38 MLAs dedicated to listening to and supporting Albertans, Alberta’s New Democrats remain the only choice for positive change for our province.

“Alberta’s official opposition caucus has consistently stood against the cuts, chaos and corruption brought on by this current UCP government. UCP MLAs like Peter Guthrie and Scott Sinclair have expressed their own serious concerns over the past few months – highlighting the corruption, incompetence, and dangerous flirtation with separatism that characterize Danielle Smith’s government.

“We know this premier will do anything to protect her own power and is fighting to maintain confidence within her caucus under the pressure of massive corruption and threats of separatism. The decision by these two former UCP MLAs to revive the PC party is another clear sign that Albertans are unhappy with this current UCP government and are demanding better for our province.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 2, 2025.

(The Canadian Press)

(With files from rdnewsNOW)