“An Attack on Democracy”: Former UCP MLA Scott Sinclair decries UCP plan to eliminate Lesser Slave Lake riding

MLA Scott Sinclair is calling out the UCP government following the release of the interim Electoral Boundaries Commission report, which proposes to dismantle the constituency of Lesser Slave Lake, dividing it into three separate ridings and, in doing so, weakening the voice of Northern Alberta.

“As most people already know, I was removed from the UCP Caucus on March 7, 2025 for standing up for Northern Alberta and highlighting the obvious gap in resources and funding allocated to our area,” said Sinclair.

“Now, this report takes that same disregard for the North and turns it into an attack on democracy.”

In its 2017 review, the Electoral Boundaries Commission recognized Lesser Slave Lake under section 15(2) of the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act to protect effective representation in large, sparsely populated areas far from Edmonton. Sinclair says that logic still holds true.

“Lesser Slave Lake covered more than 70,000 square kilometers which is two and a half times the size of the
Netherlands,” Sinclair explained. “This new northern riding they’ve drawn is double that size and completely removes the Township of Slave Lake from it. It’s absurd.”

Hearing transcripts from 2017 confirm that both Lesser Slave Lake and Central Peace–Notley were treated as “special consideration” divisions to ensure fair representation for rural northern communities. Sinclair questions why that principle has suddenly been abandoned.

“I’m not even sure how to describe how frustrated I am. Northerners are angry and worried. The math isn’t mathing, as my daughters would say,” Sinclair said.

“The UCP chooses division and control over collaboration and solutions. Time and again, they create conflict instead of solving problems.”

Sinclair is calling for more open community meetings in the region before any bill is drafted and demanding that the Ministry table its section 15(2) analysis to explain why it is being ignored in this process.

“Although this commission is supposed to be bi-partisan, it’s hard to believe this isn’t a retaliatory move from this Premier,” Sinclair added. “They’ll justify it with fancy legal language, but the fact remains: Lesser Slave Lake has existed as a riding since 1971 and this report would erase it.”

Sinclair says Northern Alberta has always shown up for the province and deserves the same in return.
“We deserve stable, effective representation that keeps our communities heard. I will stand up and fight these changes.”

editor