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On Monday afternoon, Alberta New Democrat legislature member Shannon Phillips announced she’s stepping down before finishing her third term in office.
The former environment minister plans to leave her Lethbridge-West seat on July 1.
“I am very proud of what I have accomplished throughout my political career,” said Phillips. “We have made significant gains in building the party outside of Edmonton and Calgary. 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.”
Phillips was first elected to the Alberta Legislature in 2015.
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“Shannon has always been a fighter for everyday Albertans and is unwavering in her convictions,” said Rachel Notley. “She is one of the smartest people in Canadian politics today.”
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Phillips said her decision is independent of the current Alberta NDP leadership race.
“I am comfortable with any outcome of the leadership race, and the membership growth has shown me the party is strong.”
1:45
Final arguments made on Lethbridge MLA’s LPS surveillance appeal
The decision comes after the province’s law enforcement watchdog determined two police officers broke the rules monitoring Phillips in 2017.
In May, Crown prosecutors decided not to charge the Lethbridge police over the surveillance.
An investigation determined Phillips was targeted over her environmental policies.
With files from Emily Mertz, Global News
© 2024 The Canadian Press
