A controversial Progressive Conservative MLA, who briefly left his party while dealing with ethical complaints, became one of the casualties of the Tory nomination process.
Incumbent Peter Sandhu lost out the PC nomination in Edmonton-Manning to challenger Gurcharan Garcha Saturday night, one of six contested races across the province this weekend.
Sandhu was first elected in the riding in 2008. In 2013, a CBC investigation found that a building company owned by Sandhu had a history of chronic debt and had been sued dozens of time by creditors. The investigation also suggested he had provided false information on a sworn affidavit
Sandhu withdrew from caucus for a period while the province’s ethics commissioner investigated complaints that the MLA had not properly reported his liabilities. The commissioner ruled that Sandhu had breached Alberta’s conflict of interest legislation six times, but found “no malfeasance” and assessed no penalty. Sandhu later returned to the Tory party.
Later the same year, CBC reported that Sandhu had been linked to an alleged smear campaign against a local Punjabi-language journalist.
Edmonton MLA leaves caucus after CBC News investigation
Alberta MLA Peter Sandhu cleared of conflict of interest charges
Edmonton MLA linked to alleged smear campaign against journalist
Saturday’s loss makes Sandhu the first incumbent who has failed to secure the PC nomination this year.
In another contest Saturday. Jeff Wilson — who joined the PC party after crossing the floor from the Wildrose in December — beat out four other candidates to win the party’s nomination in Calgary-Shaw. The fates of three more floor-crossers, including former Wildrose leader Danielle Smith, will be decided in a vote next weekend.
