"It's a sad day for Alberta"

Long-time Conservative MLA Guy Boutilier appears to have ruffled a few too many feathers under Premier Stelmach's watchful eye. According to the Premier's office, Boutilier has been kicked out of the caucus.

This comes after Boutilier, the MLA of Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo, turned against his own government this past week over concerns of long-term care facilities. In an email made public last Wednesday, Boutilier told an area resident that he was frustrated the province had delayed handing out $35 million for a 48-bed Fort McMurray long-term care facility.

It was Boutilier's mounting frustrations which prompted him to help Friends of Medicare mount a protest against his government, which is slated to take place on July 31st.

While Boutilier said the demonstration wasn't his idea, he said he supported the idea.

CTV spoke with Boutilier Saturday morning. He said he was very disappointed with the premier's decision.

"It's a sad day for democracy," said Boutilier. "I was doing my job as an MLA, as elected by the people, to democratically represent their interests."

"All I've done was represent their interests based on what they had talked to me and I agree with them," Boutilier continued. "I think it's a sad day for Alberta."

Boutilier said he found out he was fired by the premier himself in a phone call. He was told he had been removed from the treasury board and was no longer welcome in the government caucus.

The ousted MLA said he requested to meet with Stelmach and/or the caucus, but was declined by the premier for both requests. He said the premier would not give him any evidence as to why he was being fired.

"I feel very comfortable I'm on the right side of right in being elected by our constituents to represent them," said Boutilier. "I'm doing exactly that, representing them. The premier has the voice and his voice is to be the leader. But I am sadly disappointed with the actions he's taking."

CTV also spoke with Paul Stanway, the Communications Director for the Premier, Saturday morning. He said Stelmach was unimpressed with Boutilier's outspoken comments on the state of health care in Fort McMurray.

"There's no other community in the province of Alberta," said Stanway. "That's received the level of government spending and the level of attention Fort McMurray's had over the past two years."

"He can speak freely," said Stanway. "He can say whatever he wants."

"Any attempts to get the decision changed through political pressure are not going to be successful."

Boutilier says he isn't sure what his next step will be. He clarified he has no desire to get out of politics, however he hasn't thought about joining another political party just yet.