Alberta MLAs Scott Sinclair and Peter Guthrie were ousted unceremoniously from Alberta's United Conservative Party.
Now, the duo are trying to bring back the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta, also known as the PCs.
Airdrie-Cochrane independent MLA Peter Guthrie confirmed on July 2 on Ryan Jespersen's podcast Real Talk that, along with Sinclair, the two were aiming to resurrect the old PCs.
"We're incredibly excited about this idea because the stance that both former minister Guthrie and I took was on principle and values that we think a lot of Albertans are missing right now," said Sinclair, who represents Lesser Slave Lake as an independent MLA.
"We see a swelling of support and we believe we woken a sleeping giant of people that don't feel like they've got a home politically right now and we believe that re-booting the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta is really going to ignite a large amount of the population, who are looking for a new voice and a new vision of a party that's maybe just balanced, normal and takes care of things that are a bigger snapshot of what Albertans care about."
Guthrie said that on May 27, they received an extension on the deadline for the party banner to expire and they need 8,900 signatures to get the party re-registered. He said they will aim to get about 30 per cent more signatures than the close to 9,000 required.
Guthrie, who was once the Alberta Infrastructure Minister, was booted from the UCP in April, after repeatedly criticizing government for its lack of transparency into health procurement practices.
Sinclair was removed from the party in March after he publicly criticized the provincial budget.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was asked about the announcement at a press conference regarding a new Alberta police force on July 2.
"Elections law makes it clear that new parties can't use the former name of a legacy party of the UCP and the reason for that is to avoid confusion with voters. I expect the law to be followed and we're going to be following up with Elections Alberta accordingly," Smith said.
"Generally speaking, this is a province where there are always new parties forming and I think if they can do so in a legal way, I think that always is a positive to be able to have lots of options. It's good for democracy."
Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi also responded to the news on July 2.
""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," Nenshi said in a statement.
"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."
