No more Wildrose MLA defections anticipated, Jim Prentice says

Alberta Premier Jim Prentice says he is not anticipating any more Wildrose Party MLAs will cross the floor to sit with his governing Progressive Conservative party.

Nine Wildrose MLAs, including leader Danielle Smith, announced Wednesday they are defecting to the Tories, leaving the official opposition party with five members in the legislature.

Speaking on CBC Radio’s Calgary Eyeopener on Thursday, Prentice said he doesn’t think the holdouts will follow their former caucus mates.

The premier said the decision by Smith and the eight others to join the government is a significant step towards reuniting the conservative family.

“They're most welcome, they’re respected people and they want to make a contribution in what are pretty challenging times for us as a province,” he said.

The floor-crossing MLAs are:

Danielle Smith – Highwood.
Rob Anderson –​ Airdrie.
Gary Bikman – Cardston-Taber-Warner.
Rod Fox –​ Lacombe-Ponoka.
Jason Hale – Strathmore-Brooks.
Bruce McAllister – Chestermere-Rocky View.
Blake Pedersen – Medicine Hat.
Bruce Rowe – Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills.
Jeff Wilson – Calgary-Shaw.

The remaining Wildrose MLAs are:

Drew Barnes – Cypress-Medicine Hat.
Heather Forsyth – Calgary-Fish Creek.
Shayne Saskiw – Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills.
Pat Stier – Livingstone-Macleod.
Rick Strankman – Drumheller-Stettler.