MLA Scott Sinclair reinstated into UCP caucus 1 year after expulsion

Lesser Slave Lake MLA Scott Sinclair has returned to the UCP caucus 14 months after he was kicked out for threatening to vote against the party's budget.

Lesser Slave Lake MLA Scott Sinclair has been welcomed back into the United Conservative Party caucus, the party announced on Thursday.

Sinclair was kicked out of the UCP caucus in March 2025 after he threatened to vote against the party’s budget.

In a post on social media at the time, Sinclair criticised the amount of money being dedicated to Edmonton and Calgary, including more than $100 million to fund a new event space near the Edmonton Oilers’ downtown arena.

“MLA Sinclair has spent significant time reflecting on the responsibilities and expectations of government caucus MLAs and successfully demonstrated his renewed commitment to serve as a member of the government caucus,” chief government whip Justin Wright said in a news release on Thursday.

“Additionally, he expressed deep regret for his previous comments and actions and made clear they were the result of a misunderstanding of the Westminster Parliamentary system and misguided advice.”

During his time out of the UCP caucus, Sinclair had aligned himself with Peter Guthrie, who was expelled from the UCP caucus weeks after Sinclair.

At one point, the two MLAs joined forces in an attempt to relaunch the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta.

Guthrie now leads the former Alberta Party, now known as the Progressive Tory Party of Alberta.