Phillips commits to new Catholic elementary school at SACPA session

By Lethbridge Herald on February 10, 2023.

Herald photo by Ry Clarke Shannon Phillips, MLA for Lethbridge-West, spoke to an audience at the Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs giving insight into the NDP’s plans for the upcoming election, Thursday at the Lethbridge Senior Citizen’s Organization.

Ry Clarke – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs, SACPA, turned its attention to politics during Thursday’s session.

Shannon Phillips, MLA for Lethbridge-West, spoke to an audience on the topic of “Building Strong Communities and a Strong Economy For Alberta.”

 Phillips discussed issues that will be hot topics during the upcoming  election, scheduled to be held on May 29. 

“The election is in 109 days, and of course Rob Miyashiro (NDP candidate for Lethbridge-East) and I are ready as the Lethbridge team,” said Phillips.

 “We have seen the province really neglect communities like ours, so I am going to be talking about our school infrastructure today, and clarifying some of our commitments and what we will do first in this city.”

As the official Opposition Finance Critic, Phillips shared her thoughts on how the UCP has managed Albertans resources. “Affordability is on people’s mind. We know that everything has gone up. Certainly, in every area where the government can help, they have made things worse. That is to say, in insurance – your car insurance, utility costs, property taxes through cuts to municipalities, cutting seniors benefits. A number of ways that UCP decisions have made a bad situation worse, there is no need for it. The ‘ finances are in good shape. If we steward those resources carefully, we can use them to make life more affordable for people to pay down debt, save for the future, and invest in our healthcare and other programs people care about,” said Phillips. 

With many issues on the political table as the election nears, Phillips wanted to assure Lethbridge residents of the NDP’s commitment to this city.

“I want to make the following announcement for new schools in Lethbridge,” said Phillips. “If elected, Rachel Notley and Alberta’s NDP will ensure that a new Catholic elementary school is built on the west side. This is the top ask from the Holy Spirit board. We have listened carefully and it is time to make this commitment to the people of Lethbridge.” 

Phillips also noted Galbraith Elementary School on the northside, which is 108 years-old, will also be modernized. 

During the questions period, Phillips heard from those concerned about their health care, economies, and workforce gaps.

 “For the past four years, we have consulted with over 100,000 Albertans in various town halls and other capacities,” said Phillips.

“One of the silver-linings of the pandemic was that we could conduct so may of these consultations, one-on-one meetings, roundtables, with various industry groups, experts, economists, and others from around the country. We have therefore been releasing proposals on albertasfuture.ca We have detailed proposals there on our investment and competitiveness strategy, on our digital media strategy, on our agriculture and agri-food value added strategies, on hydrogen, on geothermal, you name it, it is up there.”

After hearing from the NDP this week, SACPA will host the Honourable Joseph Schow, UCP MLA of Cardston-Siksika, next Thursday to give insight into the provincial budget for 2023, and discuss important provincial investments over the last three-years. Sessions are every Thursday at the Lethbridge Senior Citizen’s Organization Dining Room, starting at 12 p.m. and concluding at 1 p.m.