Peter Guthrie is not planning to fade quietly into the night.
The embattled now former UCP MLA, who will sit as an independent MLA for Airdrie-Cochrane, was expelled from caucus by the party on Wednesday, because of his continued questioning of government procurement policy.
"MLA Guthrie has made it clear that he does not support the Government’s decision to wait for the investigations of both the Auditor General and Judge Raymond Wyant to conclude prior to taking further action on the issue of AHS procurement practices and the allegations made by the former AHS CEO. It is also clear that he wishes to continue to publicly voice his opposition to the government on that issue," the UCP said in a statement on Wednesday.
"We wish him well as he continues in his role as MLA for his constituency."
About 50 days ago, Guthrie stepped down from his post as Infrastructure Minister, due to the government's handling of questions surrounding health care procurement practices.
At the time, he said he was given a "30-day" suspension from caucus. In his resignation letter, Guthrie said Premier Danielle Smith potentially misled members of cabinet.
"Over the past few weeks, I have raised concerns regarding GOA procurement practices particularly in the Department of Health. As Minister of Infrastructure, I have line of sight into these processes and have suggested steps, such as the implementation of a "Financial Oversight Committee" as well as delivering on Bill 13 "The Real Property Governance Act", to minimize these issues; as it is, after all, part of my fiduciary duty," Guthrie wrote.
"At Cabinet on Wednesday, it became clear that the Minister of Health, and possibly even you Premier, had knowledge of identified procurement issues involving AH & AHS, yet you deliberately misled our reduced quorum Health Cabinet Committee (HPGCC) on January 30th. This deception resulted in the dismissal of the AHS board.
"During that committee meeting I expressed my concerns requesting further disclosure, but none was forthcoming.
"Remarkably, during last Wednesday's meeting, the majority of Ministers around the table, with the exception of Minister Jones, were satisfied that the practice of withholding pertinent decision-making details was justifiable and one in which they could support.
"Due to this clear disconnect in our opinions around Cabinet conduct, I can no longer serve Executive Council. This is not why we were elected; this is not what Albertans expect, and Premier, this was not why I supported you as leader."
Guthrie, who has been a UCP MLA for the past six years, said the provincial government owes it to the people of Alberta to be more honest about its procurement practices.
"If we can normalize deception in government business practices, what other indiscretions may emerge? As such, I resign my post as Minister of Infrastructure. I will return to Caucus and ensure Cabinet is held to account in an honest and forthright manner. We owe this to Albertans, as this is the standard which they expect," he wrote.
Guthrie said he stands with the opposition NDP who have called for a public inquiry into the Alberta Government's healthcare procurement policies.
Separate investigations into health service procurement are underway by the auditor general and the RCMP. The UCP government is also overseeing an internal AHS review.
