Alberta UCP boot former cabinet minister from caucus over scandal criticism

Alberta’s United Conservative Party says it has expelled former infrastructure minister Peter Guthrie from caucus over his repeated criticism of the government’s handling of the health-care contract scandal.

Guthrie gave up his ministerial position in February over concerns about government contracts and has been sitting as a backbencher for his Airdrie-Cochrane riding.

His pushback against Premier Danielle Smith also led the caucus to suspend him from voting in caucus matters.

Earlier this week, Guthrie again criticized the handling of the scandal, saying the government is obstructing the auditor general’s investigation and muzzling government officials.