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Janis Irwin
MLA
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood
Assumed office
April 16, 2019
Preceded by Brian Mason
Personal details
Born (1984-09-09) September 9, 1984 (age 39)
Barrhead, Alberta
Political party Alberta NDP
Residence Edmonton, Alberta
Alma mater University of Alberta
University of Calgary
OccupationTeacher, civil servant
Website janisirwin.ca

Janis Irwin (born September 9, 1984) [1] is a Canadian politician who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in the 2019 Alberta general election, [2] and re-elected in the 2023 Alberta General Election. She represents the electoral district of Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood as a member of the Alberta New Democratic Party. [3] She serves as the Official Opposition Critic for Housing. She previously served as the Critic for Status of Women and 2SLGBTQ+ Issues, and is the Official Opposition Deputy Whip. [4]

A teacher prior to her election, Irwin previously ran as the federal New Democratic Party candidate for Edmonton Griesbach in the 2015 Canadian federal election.

Personal life

Irwin grew up in Barrhead, Alberta. [5] Prior to being elected, Irwin was a high school social studies teacher in Bawlf, Alberta and served as vice-principal in Forestburg, Alberta. [6] [7] [8] [9] Irwin came out in her late 20s. [10] In 2010, Irwin moved to Edmonton to start working with Alberta Education, focusing on curriculum. [11]

Education

Irwin holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta, a Master of Education from the University of Calgary, and completed PhD-level coursework at the University of Alberta without defending her thesis. [ citation needed]

Provincial politics

In her first term as Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Irwin advocated against conversion therapy by citing the harmful organization Journey Canada with its ties to this practice. [12] Another issue Irwin strongly advocated on was the legal protections of gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in the education system in Alberta. [13] [14]

In her second term as the Critic for Housing, Irwin has been vocal, calling for action on skyrocketing rents. Irwin has tabled Bill 205, the Housing Security Act, which would bring in temporary rent caps. [15]

Irwin has also been a voice for her unhoused constituents, calling for an end to encampment sweeps and urging immediate investments in affordable and permanent supportive housing. [16]

Electoral history

2015 federal election

2015 Canadian federal election: Edmonton Griesbach
Party Candidate Votes % ±% Expenditures
Conservative Kerry Diotte 19,157 39.96 –12.55 $93,048.30
New Democratic Janis Irwin 16,309 34.02 –3.45 $150,799.22
Liberal Brian Gold 10,397 21.69 +15.11 $14,575.14
Green Heather Workman 1,129 2.35 –1.08 $1,404.61
Libertarian Maryna Goncharenko 415 0.87 – $150.44
Marijuana Linda Northcott 279 0.58 – –
Rhinoceros Bun Bun Thompson 144 0.30 – –
Marxist–Leninist Mary Joyce 112 0.23 – –
Total valid votes/expense limit 47,942 99.40   $214,842.90
Total rejected ballots 289 0.60 –
Turnout 48,231 59.35 –
Eligible voters 81,265
Conservative hold Swing –4.55
Source: Elections Canada [17] [18]


2019 general election [19]

2019 Alberta general election: Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic Janis Irwin 9,998 63.45% -14.66%
United Conservative Leila Houle 4,015 25.48% 6.92%
Alberta Party Tish Prouse 1,057 6.71% –
Green Taz Bouchier 243 1.54% –
Alberta Independence Joe Hankins 226 1.43% –
Alberta Advantage Chris Poplatek 116 0.74% –
Communist Alex S. Boykowich 103 0.65% –
Total 15,758 – –
Rejected, spoiled and declined 70 88 8
Eligible electors / turnout 30,596 51.76% 8.12%
New Democratic hold Swing -14.06%
Source(s)
Source: "34 - Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood, 2019 Alberta general election". officialresults.elections.ab.ca. Elections Alberta. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
Alberta. Chief Electoral Officer (2019). 2019 General Election. A Report of the Chief Electoral Officer. Volume II (PDF) (Report). Vol. 2. Edmonton, Alta.: Elections Alberta. pp. 132–135. ISBN  978-1-988620-12-1. Retrieved April 7, 2021.

2023 general election

2023 Alberta general election: Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic Janis Irwin 9,491 71.46 +8.01
United Conservative Nick Kalynchuk 3,350 25.22 -0.26
Green Kristine Kowalchuk 339 2.55 +1.01
Communist Naomi Rankin 102 0.77 +0.11
Total 13,282 99.01 –
Rejected and declined 133 0.99
Turnout 13,415 45.22
Eligible voters 29,665
New Democratic hold Swing +4.13
Source(s)
Source: Elections Alberta [20]

References

  1. ^ @JanisIrwin (September 9, 2020). "It's my birthday! And what do I want? At the top of my list is an @albertaNDP government! I'd love if you could help make my birthday wish come true: http://albertandp.ca/donate/ehln #ableg" ( Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ Jason Markusoff (April 18, 2019). "Why Jason Kenney's workaholic style may not work when he's premier". Maclean's. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  3. ^ Alex Antoneshyn (April 24, 2019). "Edmonton MLA-elect wins seat, then $100K in lottery". CTV News Edmonton. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  4. ^ "Janis Irwin". www.albertandpcaucus.ca. Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  5. ^ "Alberta Hansard" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. June 18, 2019.
  6. ^ "Alberta Hansard" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. June 27, 2019. p. 1294.
  7. ^ "Alberta Hansard" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. June 19, 2019. p. 1056.
  8. ^ "Alberta Hansard" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. June 18, 2019. p. 941.
  9. ^ "Alberta Hansard" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. June 11, 2019.
  10. ^ "Alberta Hansard" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. June 24, 2019. p. 1156.
  11. ^ "Alberta Hansard" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. June 11, 2019. p. 710.
  12. ^ "Alberta Hansard" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. June 25, 2019. p. 1171.
  13. ^ "Alberta Hansard" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. June 24, 2019. p. 1157.
  14. ^ "Alberta Hansard" (PDF). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. June 11, 2019. p. 710.
  15. ^ Bellefontaine, Michelle (December 5, 2023). "Alberta NDP proposes temporary four-year rent cap in new bill".
  16. ^ Tran, Cindy (Jan 3, 2024). "'I can't handle this': City clean-up crews and police sweep encampment near Bissell Centre".
  17. ^ "Official Voting Results". Elections Canada. 29 February 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  18. ^ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates
  19. ^ "Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood 2019 election result".
  20. ^ "34 - Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood". officialresults.elections.ab.ca. Elections Alberta. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
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