Wildrose Alliance MLA Guy Boutilier (right), seen with Premier Ed Stelmach, who kicked him out of the government caucus in 2009. (Jason Scott/Canadian Press)Former Alberta Conservative MLA Guy Boutilier ended months of speculation late Thursday night, announcing he will become the fourth caucus member of the Wildrose Alliance party.
Premier Ed Stelmach kicked the Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo representative out of the Conservative caucus last year for criticizing the government.
"Guy's infectious energy, strong cabinet experience and deep understanding of so many political issues will be a huge benefit to our party, and we look forward to his help in continuing to build our party and our team," said Danielle Smith, leader of the Wildrose Alliance.
Boutilier was ousted from the Tories last July after he spoke out against a cabinet decision to delay building a long-term care facility in Fort McMurray.
Boutilier, who has held cabinet posts in both environment and international relations, is the third sitting MLA to switch allegiances from Conservative to Wildrose Alliance, joining Calgary's Heather Forsythe and Airdrie's Rob Anderson.
Calgary's Paul Hinman was the first — and so far only — person elected to sit in the legislature as a Wildrose Alliance MLA.
The party is holding it's annual general meeting Friday and Saturday in Red Deer.
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