Lethbridge-West MLA Shannon Phillips has announced her resignation, effective July 1.
“My decision comes as a result of a number of factors, including a desire to step away from public life in this current capacity to pursue other opportunities,” says Phillips.
“Now, is the right time for the NDP party and for me personally. Our party is strong. The leadership race since January has shown me the Alberta NDP is stronger across the province and right here in Lethbridge than it has ever been before,” adds Phillips.
As for the future, Phillips notes she will be exploring opportunities in the private sector and looking at ways to give back to the community through teaching and writing.
Sometimes though, public life has had its ups and downs. “And its share of challenges,” says Phillips.
“There isn’t any one thing. However, what happened to me at the hands of the Lethbridge Police Service is something that has – by my read of it – not happened very often, if at all, to any elected official,” notes Phillips.
Last month, the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service made the decision not to lay charges against the LPS officers who were investigated and found to have violated the Police Act; which included improper surveillance on Phillips, when she was a provincial minister.
According to Phillips, there’s no question the incident and its aftermath have taken its toll on the MLA. “That was key in my factor not to even consider looking at the leadership of our party.”
“There’s no question the constant grind of this has weighed on me and has become a factor in my decision-making,” adds Phillips.
Moving forward, Phillips says she doesn’t intend to exempt herself entirely from the Alberta NDP.
“I will always be a New Democrat. I’m not going anywhere, in terms of my contribution to progressive politics and to social democracy,” says Phillips.
And, it’s imperative Lethbridge has an opposition voice in the Legislature, adds Phillips.
A by-election will be held to fill the soon-to-be vacant Lethbridge-West spot. “I have no doubt there are a number of very talented people who will come forward to seek nomination.”
Phillips was first elected to the Alberta Legislature in 2015, ending a 40-year conservative stronghold in Lethbridge-West.
Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen says Phillips was a major supporter and advocate for the Cavendish Farms Centre leisure facility on the westside and for the University of Lethbridge Science Commons building. “Both facilities will have longstanding significance for our city.”
“Her years of work as minister of Environment and Parks and as minister responsible for the Status of Women in the Alberta cabinet had major impacts across Alberta,” adds Hyggen. We look forward to the coming by-election process and will be eager to work with whomever succeeds the seat as Lethbridge-West MLA to ensure Lethbridge’s priorities are met.”
