Heather Forsyth is the new interim leader of the provincial Wildrose party in Alberta.
Forsyth was first elected in 1993 as a Progressive Conservative MLA for Calgary-Fish Creek. She crossed the floor in 2010 to become a Wildrose MLA.
The Wildrose party is still struggling to regain its balance after nine MLAs, including their former leader, Danielle Smith, crossed the floor to join the governing PCs Dec. 18.
A month earlier, two other Wildrose MLAs crossed the floor to join the government.
The Wildrose party is now left with five MLAs.
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During a news conference announcing Forsyth as the new interim leader, she said Albertans did not lose their opposition when her former colleagues crossed the floor.
Forsyth originally planned to retire after the next provincial election. She will stay on until the next election.
Shane Saskiw, MLA for Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills, will be the Wildrose house leader.
Rick Strankman is now the critic for agriculture.
The Liberal party and Wildrose party each have five MLAs, the NDP have four MLAs and former Wildrose party member Joe Anglin is sitting as an independent.
It is still not known if the Wildrose party will remain the official opposition.
Contact <a href=”mailto:mary.macarthur@producer.com”>mary.macarthur@producer.com</a>
