Alberta NDP MLA Shannon Phillips Announces Resignation from Office

Long-standing Alberta New Democrat member of the legislature, Shannon Phillips, has declared her intention to step down from her position before completing her third term representing Lethbridge-West.

The announcement was made on Monday, with Phillips setting July 1 as her departure date. Reflecting on her political career, Phillips expressed pride in the progress made outside of Edmonton and Calgary, stating, ‘Being elected for three terms outside of the major cities in Alberta shows that with focus, discipline and community connection, I could achieve something as a New Democrat that everyone told me was impossible just a decade ago.’

Having first secured her seat in the Alberta Legislature in 2015, Phillips mentioned that her decision to leave is not tied to the ongoing Alberta NDP leadership race. She emphasized her confidence in the party’s strength regardless of the leadership outcome.

Rachel Notley, former Premier of Alberta, commended Phillips for her dedication, calling her ‘one of the smartest people in Canadian politics today’ and praising her relentless advocacy for Albertans.

Phillips’ announcement follows the recent revelation by the province’s law enforcement watchdog that two police officers had breached regulations while surveilling Phillips in 2017.

The surveillance was tied to Phillips’ environmental policies, sparking controversy and leading to an investigation. Phillips had previously sought accountability over the surveillance incident, which received public attention and criticism.

Reporting contributed by Emily Mertz of Global News sheds light on the situation, providing insight into the events surrounding the surveillance of Phillips.