Wildrose and PC Voting Records Nearly Identical

A new report released by the Manning Centre today shows the voting track records of the Progressive Conservative Party and Wildrose Party in the legislature is nearly identical. After reviewing over 120 votes in the provincial legislature (since the NDP took office in 2015), Manning Centre analysis shows the two parties have been voting together 90% of the time.

“People can question the compatibility of the two parties, but if you look at their voting records over the past year, the stats show they’re nearly identical,” said John Whittaker, a policy analyst with the Manning Centre. “What was particularly interesting to see is that the Wildrose and PCs almost always vote for each other’s proposed amendments.”

Out of 62 proposed amendments put forward by the two parties, the Wildrose voted for 100% of PC amendments while the PCs voted for 91% of Wildrose amendments. The analysis also looked specifically at money votes in the legislature – decisions that dealt with the expenditure of public funds. Strictly looking at those votes, the two parties voted together 96% of the time.

There were also some interesting voting patterns. Within the PC caucus, there were twelve instances of MLAs voting against their party; eleven times by MLA Sandra Jansen and once by MLA Rick Fraser.

“Prior to the 2015 election, the Wildrose and PCs were clearly on different pages,” added Whittaker. “However, since that time, both caucuses have changed substantially and both have new leaders. There seems to be a convergence in terms of how they approach issues and work together.”

To download the report – click here