PROPOSING ALTERNATIVES FOR ALBERTANS

with MLA Janis Irwin

MLA Janis Irwinis a popular Alberta NDP politician. She is the MLA for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood and the Women and LGBTQ2S+ Issues Critic. As busy as she is, we are deeply grateful to her for making the time to chat with us. The sun was out, and the temperature was just right as we chatted over Zoom. But it was probably freezing as she was walking in a park whilst taking our questions!

MLA Janis Irwin is looking forward to the fact that 2023 is an election year. As an NDP opposition member and given the honour of being “the best Alberta MLA,” Irwin states that she is surrounded by a supportive team who want to change things in 2023.

Irwin believes the NDP has been an effective, credible opposition. Alleviating the crisis in healthcare is key.

Irwin is passionate about many issues, and education is one. As a former teacher in rural Alberta and someone who worked in curriculum with Alberta Education, she saw the importance of building an inclusive, student-centred, modern curriculum. One of the initiatives the NDP has committed to address is the gaps in the curriculum. Irwin states, “that newcomer student, that Black student, that Indigenous student need to see themselves reflected in curriculum.” The focus would be rewriting the curriculum and going back to the drafts that the NDP created in 2018.

Recruiting more Black and Indigenous teachers is certainly something that Irwin knows is important. Because Irwin has been in many schools in her role as MLA, she understands that not all students see themselves in the teaching profession. The Black Teachers Association is raising awareness, but getting post-secondary schools on board is also essential. As for LGBTQ2S+ communities, all students need to feel represented and supported.

Irwin has had conversations with labour unions regarding gender equality, which has not been achieved in Alberta. The NDP ensured that there was a stand-alone Status of Women Ministry responsible for policies and legislation to advance gender equality.

Irwin represents Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood which has many inner-city neighbourhoods with people “struggling with poverty, people who don’t have housing… people that are struggling with food security, and the list goes on.” Many of those people are struggling with mental health and addictions. These are the things impacting the people that she represents in her communities. If the NDP forms the government, Irwin hopes these issues will be a priority to address.

The NDP has done well with the economy in the past. With a resource-based economy in Alberta, revenues are heavily impacted by the price of oil. Irwin states that huge progress was made with the NDP, with child poverty cut in half. If the government invests in programs now, there will be huge benefits for the future.

Getting outdoors for fresh air and sun is what works for Irwin’s mental health. She immerses herself in news stories and legislation and feels guilty about not reading for pleasure.

The path for the NDP to winning the next election is not clear, but the party is working on a clear platform. She has been busy knocking on doors all over the province. The key issues are around healthcare, education and jobs in the economy and affordability as well. It is about connecting with Albertans, engaging voters at the doorsteps, on the phones, at community events, hearing from and listening to them and asking them what they want to see for a better Alberta.

The poll that matters is the one on election day in May.