Peter Guthrie, the MLA for Cochrane-Airdrie, is blasting the UCP after he was kicked out of the party on April 16 for hammering them about alleged corruption around government contracts.
“Competent, honest governance has taken a backseat to political maneuverings that jeopardize the best interests of Albertans,” Guthrie wrote in an open letter to constituents and Albertans posted to Facebook.
He criticized Premier Danielle Smith for abandoning the “key conservative principles” of “openness, transparency, good governance and fiscal responsibility… in her handling of serious allegations facing the Department of Health.”
He went on to accuse the Premier of hampering an investigation launched in March by the RCMP into claims of political interference in government procurement at Alberta Health Services.
“The Premier staunchly refuses to be transparent and… restore public confidence,” he wrote.
Auditor General To Review Healthcare
In early February, Doug Wylie, Alberta’s Auditor General, announced he was launching “an examination of the Procurement and Contracting Processes at the Department of Health and Alberta Health Services.”
The announcement came in the wake of criticism about the Alberta government’s increased privatization of Alberta’s healthcare system– and concern that the government was using privatization as an opportunity to award healthcare contracts without open competition and without oversight.
“The examination is looking at the effectiveness of management and control processes—including governance and oversight—ensuring value for Albertans while addressing concerns or allegations related to contracting and potential conflicts of interest” Wylie said in a media release.
In his letter, Guthrie calls for an independent judicial review of the health ministry to replace the government-commissioned investigation.
He says that the government’s investigation is too narrow in scope and is “designed to conceal rather than reveal wrongdoing.” It’s “an approach that risks triggering serious allegations of a coverup,” he warns.
Not The Only Dissident
Guthrie is now an independent MLA. He’s the second MLA that the UCP has kicked out of caucus this year for criticizing party actions and policy.
Scott Sinclair, the representative for Lesser Slave Lake, was booted in March for vocally criticizing the provincial budget. He currently sits across the aisle as an independent MLA.
Guthrie also took aim at provincial finances.
“Under Premier Smith, the UCP has increased its operational budget by more than 24%, including a 14% increase in the size of the GOA [Government of Alberta.] This erosion of fiscal discipline – combined with the creation of multiple new Crown corporations – has contributed to a projected deficit of $5.4 billion.”
Constituents Voice Their Opinions
Albertans were quick to hit the comment section following Guthrie’s lengthy, wide-ranging critique of Premier Smith and the UCP. His letter struck a chord with several disgruntled conservatives, like Kristin Kohl.
“Many of us lifelong PCs are appalled by the behaviours of the UCP and most of its MLAs. I lost whatever tiny shreds of respect I had for DS long ago. Like Trump, just when you think they can’t sink any lower, they do,” she wrote.
Another commenter, Jennifer Hamar, called herself “a lifelong (and now former) Conservative who no longer sees my vision for Alberta represented in Danielle Smith’s UCP government. If there is nothing to hide, they should welcome a full and transparent investigation.”
Not everyone was full of praise for Guthrie, however.
“We didn’t vote for an independent, you should resign, it’s the right thing to do. Then you can run as an independent next time if you want,” wrote Chris Estereiche.
Beverley Neufeld was one of the few commenters going to bat for Premier Smith, urging Guthrie “to resign. You do not represent all those who support our Premier in this riding and ALL she is doing to protect Alberta in the Canadian context . She is/has done a remarkable job of speaking up for Albertans.”
