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UPDATED: Former Alberta UCP MLA’s announce plans to revive Progressive Conservative Party

Peter GuthrieCourtesy Alberta Government/YouTube

David Wiechnik

Published on: 

02 Jul 2025, 8:42 am

Former United Conservative Party (UCP) Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) Peter Guthrie and Scott Sinclair have announced plans to revive the Progressive Conservative (PC) Party of Alberta, signalling a possible shift in the province’s political landscape.

Peter Guthrie, MLA for Airdrie-Cochrane, has a deep connection to Alberta, having spent most of his life in the province despite being born in Brockville, Ontario. He previously served as the Minister of Energy and Minerals from 2022 to 2023.

Guthrie resigned from the UCP cabinet in February, because he felt Premier Danielle Smith was mishandling allegations, levelled by Alberta Health Services’ (AHS) former chief executive, of government interference in healthcare contracting and procurement.

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Joining him is Scott Sinclair, the MLA for Lesser Slave Lake, who has served in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta since 2023. Sinclair succeeded UCP candidate Pat Rehn in the 2023 election, marking his entry into provincial politics. He was the UCP’s only Indigenous candidate in that election.

Sinclair was expelled from the UCP caucus in March for refusing to vote in favour of what he called an “indefensible” provincial budget, which he argued favoured urban areas over rural communities.

The decision to resurrect the PC Party—which governed Alberta from 1971 to 2015—comes amid dissatisfaction with the UCP’s direction under Premier Danielle Smith, as the pair aim to offer an alternative to current political options in the province.

The two are aiming to gather the 8,800 signatures needed to register as a political party with Elections Alberta.

Speaking on Real Talk with Ryan Jespersen, Sinclair highlighted the public’s frustration with “controversial and radical” policies, stating, “People have become numb to it.” 

He believes Albertans want a government focused on practical outcomes—like access to doctors, safe roads, and affordable housing—rather than the current divisive politics coming from the Smith government.

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“Nobody likes being in uncomfortable positions,” Guthrie added. “We must be able to have uncomfortable conversations and challenge ideas. That’s how you make them better.” 

He went on to criticize the toxic work environment within the UCP, citing a “culture of fear” where people are afraid to speak out or risk losing their jobs.

“You have to make a decision at some point,” Sinclair said, echoing Guthrie’s sentiments. “Are you going to be an MLA that takes care of the riding, the party, and then the leader—or the reverse?”

He emphasized the need for leadership that resonates with Albertans, drawing comparisons to former PC Premier Ralph Klein, saying one of the main reasons people loved Klein was because, “he told it like it is and did what he said. That’s what we want to bring back.”

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When asked about local support in his Lesser Slave Lake riding, Sinclair acknowledged a divided response. “The people that support Smith will support her no matter what,” he said. 

“But, even if people don’t agree with the decision, they at least know where I stand. I’m still a conservative, even if I’m not wearing the UCP shirt.”

Both gentlemen reaffirmed the idea of building a party that prioritizes characteristics such as accountability, respect, and results. 

“I tell my daughters, it’s not just what you say,” Sinclair revealed.“It’s how you make people feel when you say it. 

“People are dying for that in politics.”

Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Naheed Nenshi reacted to the announcement on July 2, stating, “If these folks are successful, we will then have a separatist party, another separatist party and a party that says they’re not corrupt by using the name of a previously corrupt party.”

Smith speaking to reporters Wednesday afternoon mentioned reviving the old PC name is against Alberta elections law to avoid voter confusion, passed by her predecessor, Jason Kenney. 

“We’re going to raise that with the elections officials and remind them that that’s what the law says, and we would expect that the law will be followed,” said Smith, adding there were five or six conservative parties on the ballot in the last election. 

“And I think our success demonstrated that people like the United Conservative Party. They like what we stand for, they like what we’re doing. They want to vote for us. They’ve been voting. They’ve supported us in record numbers.”

“We’ll be prepared to make our case in the next election no matter who ends up being on the ballot.