Edmonton MP Brent Rathgeber leaves a press conference after speaking about his decision to quit the federal Conservative caucus in St. Albert, Alberta on Thursday June 6, 2013. Rathgeber says there is a lack of commitment to transparency in the government.JASON FRANSON/The Canadian Press
Brent Rathgeber's riding association is siding with Prime Minister Stephen Harper – saying it's "disappointed" with the MP's high-profile resignation from the Conservative caucus and will move swiftly to find a new candidate.
The Conservative electoral district association (EDA) in Mr. Rathgeber's home riding of Edmonton-St. Albert emerged from a Friday meeting saying it was not adequately consulted before Mr. Rathgeber's scorched-earth departure from his caucus. The second-term MP accused the Conservatives of straying from Reform-era principles and treating MPs like "trained seals." It caught his board off-guard.
"I think there are several members of the board executive who would have appreciated at least having the opportunity to consult with [Mr. Rathgeber]," said EDA president Darren Bieganek, who said he found out about the resignation from his wife, who saw it on Twitter.
The EDA expressed its "full support" for the Conservatives and Mr. Harper, and asked the party to fast-track the process to help put another candidate in place. Of the EDA's 30 board members, one has resigned in solidarity with Mr. Rathgeber, Mr. Bieganek said.
But Mr. Rathgeber has some allies in his home riding. His predecessor, former MP John Williams, stands behind the decision. Mr. Rathgeber quit after his private member's bill – pushing for disclosure of bureaucrats' specific salary amounts – was watered down by his party in a committee.
"I congratulate him on standing up for the courage of his convictions, and for taking a stand," Mr. Williams said. "… I think Mr. Harper has forgotten about the principles of the Reform Party, and has become pragmatic in his governing. And when you become pragmatic and lose sight of your principles, sometimes it can get you in difficult water where we are today."
Mr. Harper's office has called on Mr. Rathgeber to run in a by-election; he doesn't plan to, and his EDA said there's no appetite for that locally. Mr. Williams dismissed the notion as "a lame attack on somebody who is standing on principle." The EDA doesn't know whether Mr. Rathgeber will run against whoever becomes the Conservative nominee, Mr. Bieganek said.
Mr. Rathgeber isn't the only Edmonton-area MP with an uncertain future. Long-time MP Peter Goldring had been sitting as an independent while fighting charges of refusing a breath sample. A judge ruled in his favour Thursday. Later that day, Mr. Harper called to personally invite him to rejoin the Conservatives.
"I have very high regard for the Prime Minister, of course, and that's the direction I'll be looking forward to," Mr. Goldring said.
But the MP, first elected in 1997, had openly mused about running for the Liberals. And after Mr. Harper called, Mr. Goldring said in a Globe and Mail interview he may not yet rejoin the Conservative caucus, in case the party's priorities would clash with projects he has taken on as an independent. "The door is very much open. It's just that I tend to be a cautious person," he said.
He later spoke with the caucus Whip and agreed to rejoin the party in time for votes on Monday. But he is still considering a career switch. Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel isn't seeking re-election, and Mr. Goldring is considering a bid.
"I understand the mayor's seat is the one that's really open," Mr. Goldring said in an interview, later adding that "a job in downtown Edmonton certainly has an allure" when compared to commuting to Ottawa.
"Everything and anything, you leave on the table," he said.