Pat Rehn returning to UCP government caucus 6 months after being removed

Edmonton -

Members of Alberta's United Conservative Caucus have voted to allow independent member of legislative assembly Pat Rehn to return as a member. 

Rehn is the representative for Lesser Slave Lake. He was removed from caucus in January after residents, including all members of Slave Lake Town council, spoke out about his chronic absenteeism, ill-preparedness at meetings and lack of presence in the riding. 

Rehn now says he's worked to regain the trust of his constituents and is grateful for the second chance. 

"It was clear that I was not living up to expectations in representing Lesser Slave Lake," he said in a statement.

"I thank my government colleagues and look forward to the days ahead." 

However, Slave Lake Mayor Tyler Warman says he was shocked to find out that Rehn was allowed back into the UCP caucus.

"Over the last number of months I do believe that he's putting in more effort into the region for sure. That being said, you know that's what happened initially and then nothing happened," said Warman.

"I just hope very strongly that we have an advocate for this region – and not a representative for the party."

Rehn was also one of several UCP elected officials and staff that drew public ire after ignoring the advice of health officials and their own government by travelling abroad over the last holiday season.

The caucus says it received letters of support requesting Rehn be allowed to rejoin.

"Pat will be a strong asset, not only for his riding but for our entire United Conservative Caucus team," said caucus chair Nathan Neudorf. 

Rehn had been sitting as an independent in the legislature. 

According to some political scientists in Alberta, adding Rehn back to the UCP caucus was likely a numbers game.

"This is a dramatic about face," Lori Williams, Mount Royal political science professor, told CTV News. "To suggest he gets to come back as if nothing happened is going to raise a lot of questions and a lot of anger."

"To me, this is more about math than anything else," said Jared Wesley, University of Alberta political scientist. "There are three UCP members sitting as independents. It would have only taken one more MLA to join them as a member of a new political party.

"The fact this decision was made when the former prime minister was there to try to rally the caucus says this is part of a bigger story of Jason Kenney's inability to hold his caucus in check."