The seat became vacant on July 1 following the resignation of long-time NDP MLA Shannon Phillips
With Premier Danielle Smith campaigning in Lethbridge on Monday, the Alberta NDP candidate in Lethbridge-West has called on the her to announce a byelection date for the vacant seat in the legislature.
The Lethbridge-West seat became vacant July 1 following the resignation of former NDP MLA and cabinet minister Shannon Phillips, who held the seat for the New Democrats for nine years. Smith has until Jan. 1 to call a byelection.
“John’s been nominated for almost a month and we’re both out campaigning,” said Miyashiro. “It’s about time that the premier called this byelection.
“There’s no good reason for holding it off, and we need to get on with proper representation for Lethbridge-West.”
Miyashiro said Tuesday he’s ready for a byelection.
“It’s not like (the UCP) are not prepared for it,” he said.
In a Tuesday statement, Smith said the UCP government remains committed to holding a byelection within six months of Phillips vacating the post.
She also said she’s “surprised” that NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has yet to secure a seat in the legislature for a busy upcoming legislative session. MLAs are back in the legislature on Monday.
“Albertans expect leaders to hold a seat in the legislative assembly in order to participate in the legislative process,” said Smith.
“It’s not too late for one of his MLAs to step aside in another seat so he can also run this fall,” said the premier.
But Miyashiro said that decision is Nenshi’s to make.
“He’s meeting people across the province, he has a super busy schedule and it will be on his time frame when he chooses to seek a seat, not on anyone else’s,” said Miyashiro.
Miyashiro charged that Smith wants to delay the byelection for “some selfish reason,” even though that means both NDP and UCP volunteers, whom he called the “lifebloods” of their political parties, canvassing in the cold and snow.
“I don’t think that’s a good look for her,” he said.
During a news conference in Lethbridge, Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver was asked Tuesday about the timing of an announcement benefiting Lethbridge and other mid-size Alberta municipalities. McIver, accompanied by Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf, on Tuesday introduced the Local Growth and Sustainability Grant, which will provide $60 million over three years to help relieve growth pressures on mid-size and small municipalities.
“That’s what politicians do, they practise politics, and sometimes that means going out and door-knocking and supporting each other,” replied McIver. “That’s a pretty normal day, I’d say.”