An Independent MLA who announced last month he was signing on with the Wildrose Alliance has delayed officially joining the party's caucus, in part to get more money from the legislature.

Guy Boutilier, the MLA for Fort McMurray–Wood Buffalo, made the announcement at the Wildrose Alliance Party convention in June, but he continues to sit as an Independent.

Guy Boutilier, right, sitting in the Alberta legislature in February before the speech from the throne, was a longtime Tory minister before being dropped from cabinet in 2008 and from the caucus in 2009. (John Ulan/Canadian Press)

He said he has been working as a Wildrose member but will only officially join the party caucus when the legislature resumes in the fall.

"We talked about when the legislature convenes that I would be a part of making the Wildrose Party an official party as four members, and that's what I intend to continue to do," Boutilier said Wednesday.

Speaker Ken Kowalski said he's waiting for an official letter from Boutilier stating he's joined the Wildrose Alliance. When that happens, Boutilier's office research budget will shrink, Kowalski said.

"When you join a caucus, the dollars would reduce itself," he said. "I suspect that may be part of what's going through his mind."

Independent MLAs get almost $100,000 a year in research funds, a sum that will shrink by $40,000 when Boutilier formally joins the Wildrose caucus.

'They appear to be trying to game it and get more public tax dollars'— Liberal Leader David Swann

The former environment minister admits the money was a consideration, which has one critic calling him a hypocrite.

Alberta Liberal Leader David Swann said Albertans should question how committed the Wildrose Alliance is to ethics and fiscal responsibility.

"We thought they were very serious about following the rules, but they appear to be trying to game it and get more public tax dollars to use for their own benefits," Swann said.

But Boutilier's situation sits just fine with Wildrose Leader Danielle Smith.

"He's integrated into our caucus," she said. "There is just sort of a technical issue of getting the legislature to accept and approve him as a member of our caucus."