Calgary MLA Karen McPherson leaves NDP caucus to sit as Independent

CALGARY — One of Premier Rachel Notley's Calgary NDP members says she is disillusioned with the polarized state of politics in Alberta and has quit the caucus.

"Albertans need political choices that inspire them, not scare them," backbencher Karen McPherson said on social media Wednesday.

"Our world is becoming increasingly polarized with pressures of left and right politics. I don't reflect either of those options."

She said her constituents are concerned about Alberta's high deficit and debt loads. Innovative solutions are needed to deliver the same services at a lower price in health care and education, she said.

McPherson said she needs freedom from caucus constraints to advocate for those changes and to find middle-ground solutions.

"I think that there's an opportunity to ask more pointed, more robust questions sitting as an Independent."

McPherson, a first-term member who represents Calgary-Mackay-Nose Hill, said she will meet in the coming days with constituents to discuss how to advocate for them. She said she hasn't approached or been approached by another party and isn't thinking about that right now.

She hasn't ruled out running for re-election in 2019.

Notley's office declined comment and deferred to comments by Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley.

"That's a decision she (McPherson) made of her own volition," Ganley said in Calgary. "I can't speak to what her motivations were.

"I know that we have a fantastic caucus that will continue to work hard for Albertans."

McPherson came to government as a business analyst with more than two decades of experience in IT, mostly in the oil and gas industry.

Two other MLAs are also sitting as Independents after leaving the new United Conservative Party caucus.

Former finance critic Derek Fildebrandt resigned in August after questions arose over his expenses and it was revealed he rented out his taxpayer-subsidized apartment.

Calgary MLA Rick Fraser left in September over what he said was a fractious leadership race that showed the newly merged right-of-centre party will continue down the road of divisive politics.

McPherson said her decision to leave the NDP caucus was inspired, in part, by Fraser.

"I did give him a call after he made his announcement," she said.

"I appreciate how much courage it took to do what he did. I was really heartened ... talking about how Albertans have more in common than more differences."

Angry rhetoric has been an escalating staple of discourse between Notley's NDP and the Opposition.

Both sides maintain that the other side will inflict lasting harm on Albertans — the NDP with debilitating debt costs and short-sighted economic policies and the conservatives by slashing and burning a fragile economy to reward friends and cronies with perks and tax cuts.

— By Dean Bennett in Edmonton

The Canadian Press