A HISTORY OF INDEPENDENTS IN ALBERTA

Resigning from a party caucus to sit as an independent is rare in Alberta, but not unheard of. According to legislature records, 27 MLAs have made that transition — however briefly — since 1905.

Here they are in alphabetical order: Mike Allen: Left PC caucus July 16, 2013. Returned to the party July 7, 2014.

Joe Anglin: Left Wildrose Nov. 2, 2014 and sat as an independent until May 4, 2015.

Daniel Backs: Left the Liberal caucus Nov. 20, 2006. Remained an independent MLA until March 2, 2008. Andrew Beniuk: Left the Liberals to sit as an independent June 23, 1995. Joined the PC caucus May 23, 1996. Albert Bourcier: Left the Social Credit caucus March 6, 1950. Remained an independent until Aug. 4, 1952.

Guy Boutilier: Left the PC caucus July 17, 2009. Sat as an independent until joining Wildrose Oct. 25, 2010. Dan Bouvier: Left Social Credit to become an independent June 2, 1972. Rejoined the party Oct. 5, 1973. William Chant: Left Social Credit Sept. 24, 1937. Remained an independent until leaving the legislature March 20, 1940.

Deborah Drever: Left the NDP caucus May 26, 2015. Returned to the caucus Jan. 10, 2016.

Kurt Gesell: Left the PC caucus May 3, 1993. Sat as an independent until June 14, 1993.

James Hansen: Left Social Credit. Sat as an independent from Feb. 25, 1937 until March 20, 1940.

James Henderson: Left Social Credit and sat as an independent from Sept. 14, 1973 to March 25, 1975.

John Hugill: Left Social Credit Sept. 24, 1937. Remained an independent until March 20, 1940.

Donna Kennedy-Glans: Left the PCs March 17, 2014. Returned exactly six months later.

Paul Langevin: Left the Liberals April 5, 1994. Crossed to the PCs April 25, 1995.

Thomas Milnes: Left United Farmers of Alberta April 11, 1924. Sat as an independent until Oct. 15, 1925.

Lyle Oberg: Left PC caucus March 23, 2006. Returned four months later. Pamela Paul: Left Liberals Nov. 15, 1999. Remained an independent until March 11, 2001.

Peter Sandhu: Left PCs May 15, 2013, returned to caucus Dec. 5 that year. Raj Sherman: Left PCs Nov. 22, 2010. Crossed to the Liberals Sept. 12, 2011.

Thomas Sindlinger: Left PCs Oct. 16, 1980. Remained independent until Nov. 1, 1982.

Lloyd Snelgrove: Left PCs Jan. 26, 2012. Remained independent until April 22, 2012.

David Taylor: Left the Liberals April 12, 2010. Crossed to the Alberta Party Jan 24, 2011.

Leonard Webber: Left PCs March 13, 2014. Remained independent until Sept. 28, 2014.

Arthur Wray: Left Social Credit Feb. 29, 1947. Remained independent until Aug. 4, 1952.

Gene Zwozdesky: Left Liberals July 17, 1998. Crossed to PC caucus Aug. 13, 1998.