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By Shaun Penner

Byers joins Russell in seeking NDP nomination for Grande Prairie

Feb 7, 2019 | 4:30 AM

Melissa Byers’ work with the HIV North Society in Grande Prairie has motivated her to get involved in provincial politics.

Byers, who is the Executive Director of the society, is seeking the nomination for the NDP in the Grande Prairie riding.

“My motivation to run ties into the work I have done in the non-profit sector,” says Byers. “The work we engage in has a direct link to poverty, which links back to families and links back to the economy.”

With Grande Prairie amid an opioid crisis, Byers sees the downturn in the economy as a major factor in the increase in opioid use and fatalities. She drives home the issue of needing to get pipelines built and operating to help boost the economy.

“We need pipelines built, we need a strong economy. We need that so we can fund education, so we can fund healthcare and we can get roads developed. We also need to fund social programs, which are essentially the fibres of our society.”

Todd Russell, a fireman in Grande Prairie, is also running for the same nomination. Byers speaks very highly of her opposition and commends him for the work he has done in the community. She notes that although Russell would make a great candidate, something that separates the two of them is her work in running an organization in the non-profit sector.

Byers spoke on the importance of working on budget, noting that to keep 43 staff members employed at the society, and run programs on a budget, gives her an advantage when it comes to being fiscally responsible.

“I’ve also led the community through crisis (the opioid crisis),” says Byers. “I have a lot of experience in mobilizing community and creating collaborative networks, which I think will be a value to me moving forward in the election.”

Byers says she is looking forward to working with Rachel Notley and stressed the importance and the desire of the NDP to get pipelines built in Alberta.

The vote for the nomination is expected to take place this month.

by Shaun Penner