Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA Kerry Towle was one of two Wildrose MLAs who bolted yesterday (Nov. 24) from the provincial official Opposition to the governing Progressive Conservative Party.
Ian Donovan, who represents Little Bow and previously served as the Agriculture and Rural Development critic, was the other Wildrose MLA to cross the floor.
When speaking to reporters at a press conference in Edmonton, Towle said she made her decision to cross the floor on Nov. 23 after consulting her constituents and reaching out to the PCs last week, inquiring about the process of joining the government.
She cited pressure to vote a certain way in the legislature as one of the reasons for leaving.
“We are a party of free votes. However, our membership was deciding how I as an MLA was expected to vote and that caused me great conflict,” she said, adding that she made her decision independently of Donovan's. “It was incredibly difficult.”
Towle, who was flanked by Premier Jim Prentice at the press conference, also told reporters that she was becoming increasingly concerned with the “continued fraction” of the Wildrose party's leadership.
“And that was becoming harder and harder to be with,” she said. “But also that my constituents were coming to me, asking me to give this government and Mr. Prentice a chance and felt that I could do more with them than against them and I heard that message.”
During the press conference, Prentice said both MLAs received unanimous approval from his caucus to join his party.
“I'm pleased and humbled by this, humbled by their support. I've admired the work ethic and integrity of both of these individuals,” Prentice said. “They're both tough people; they both have a passion for serving Albertans.”
However, the premier denied offering either Towle or Donovan any special role in the government.
“Neither one has been promised anything and neither one of these people has asked for anything and it speaks to their integrity.”
According to Dennis Cooper, president of the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake PC Riding Association, Towle will still have to go through the nomination process to run for her seat in the next election in 2016.
He added that it has been 76 years since the riding has not had a member of the governing party.
“It will be interesting to see the reaction from the Wildrose party, losing not only Kerry but one other MLA as well,” Cooper said. “Kerry has always been out with the people, working hard to represent the constituency. She has done a good job.”
Towle has been a vocal critic of the PC government and served as the Opposition critic for human services and seniors.
She maintained that she still has concerns about seniors' care in the province but felt that the “door has been opened” for discussions with the government on how to better serve Albertans' needs.
“I think it is imperative to my constituents and to Albertans to look at that opportunity and try to help make Alberta better, working with the government rather than working opposite of them,” said Towle.
With files from Tim Lasiuta
