The floor-crossing of nine of its MLAs on Dec. 17 led to a “very difficult week” for the Wildrose party, said local MLA Shayne Saskiw, but his spirits were lifted by some brighter spots in recent days.
After the nine MLAs joined the ruling Progressive Conservative government, the Wildrose’s standing as the Official Opposition fell into question, since the Liberals and Wildrose both had five sitting MLAs.
The Speaker of the Legislature ruled last Wednesday that the Wildrose would continue to serve as the opposition.
“I think it’s the first time that the Speaker has lifted the spirits of the Opposition,” Saskiw said. “That will allow us to continue in our role.”
The Wildrose also selected veteran MLA Heather Forsyth as its interim party leader last week, a move which Saskiw found positive. He described her as personable, a good listener, understanding of Albertans’ needs and having a “sharp policy mind.”
“It’s very reassuring to have someone with so much credibility and experience take over as leader of our party.”
Saskiw said that he became aware of Wildrose MLAs’ discussions to cross the floor near the end of November. At that time, party leader Danielle Smith asked him to meet with Premier Jim Prentice’s chief of staff, with whom Saskiw had a pre-existing relationship. Saskiw met with him as directed but said that following the meeting, “I withdrew myself from the process.”
While other members of the party continued to discuss crossing the floor and reuniting the two conservative parties, Saskiw said he wasn’t involved in those talks.
“It became very clear that things were moving very quickly and I was just not comfortable in participating,” he said.
Although Smith had urged a reunification of the two conservative parties, it’s clear that there is no merger and that the Wildrose executive and party supporters do not favour such a move, said Saskiw.
“I’ve heard very clearly from my constituents that they want me to stay put,” he said. “They’re the ones that elected me and that’s the one I take direction from. It’s the constituents that are my boss.”
When asked about his feelings on the nine MLAs who defected, Saskiw said, “At this point, each person made their respective decision and they’re going to have to be accountable to their areas.”
He said those MLAs who were left in the Wildrose were putting their focus and energy on being the official opposition – no small task, given that he personally now assumes six critic portfolios.
“People have told me to stay put to advocate for the things that matter to them,” he said, adding this includes a functioning health care system, a balanced budget and the wise spending of taxpayer’s dollars.
