Alberta government MLAs voted down a request by a surging rival party for extra research funding Monday, a move roundly dismissed by the province's three opposition parties as overtly political.
In a vote in the multi-party Members' Services Committee, in which the long-ruling Progressive Conservatives have a majority, a request by the nascent Wildrose Alliance for $233,000 in extra annual funding was dismissed.
The PCs said it was because the Wildrose Leader, Danielle Smith, is not a sitting MLA - and the funding was for the leader's office. (Ms. Smith was elected as party leader last year but has not yet sought election to the legislature.)
But in a losing 5-3 vote, both the provincial Liberals and New Democrats supported Wildrose, a party they frequently oppose ideologically.
Parties whose leaders aren't MLAs have gotten the funding in the past, New Democratic Party leader Brian Mason argued, alleging the PCs are trying to withhold funding from their chief right-leaning rival.
"Either you base this on principle or fairness and follow the precedent set in the past, or you're playing political games for partisan advantage," Mr. Mason, one of three MLAs who supported the motion.
"I supported it simply because it's the right thing to do," added Liberal Bridget Pastoor. "I think it's kind of two-bit politics [to deny funding]"
This year, the Liberals will get $1,537,000 in funding (with eight MLAs), the NDP $561,000 (two), and Wildrose $395,000 (with three). The opposition parties say the money is essential to hire researchers to form an effective opposition to the PCs, who have ruled the province for nearly four decades.
But Cam Hantiuk, a spokesman for Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach, said the province is already generous with opposition parties, citing other provinces - Manitoba, New Brunswick, and British Columbia - that provide no funding to any opposition other than the official opposition.
He rejected a claim by Wildrose and the NDP that precedent suggested the funding should be awarded. (The Liberals think precedent is unclear.)
"We are probably the most, or one of the most, generous jurisdictions when it comes to providing dollars to opposition parties for research," he said. "There may be a political angle to it, and if other people want to politicize it, that's fine."
Wildrose MLA Paul Hinman, who recently took on the title of "acting leader" for "all matters pertaining to the Legislative assembly" in an apparent effort to qualify for the extra cash, dismissed Monday's vote as "just wrong."
Mr. Mason said he fears if Wildrose is denied funding, his party could be next.
"We've reached the conclusion that we're sort of in the same boat right now as Wildrose," he said.
Wildrose finds itself in a tough position, as it frequently attacks the PCs for lavish spending. The vocal attack has seen it surge in polls, and the party is now viewed as a threat to the PC voter base.
But the $233,000 is a comparatively small amount that is essential for a healthy democracy, Mr. Hinman argued.
"That's just selfish government not wanting anybody else to play on the playing field," he said.
Asked whether he'd formally take over from Ms. Smith as leader, a move that would qualify the party for the extra money, he shot down the notion.
"No, we won't do that … We did all the back flips to jump through the hoops," he said, referring to his new title as acting house leader. "This is pure political games being played. Nothing else."