Edmonton Public School Board trustee Nathan Ip is joining the race for the provincial NDP nomination in Edmonton-South West.
© Provided by Edmonton Journal Edmonton Public School Board trustee Nathan Ip is joining the race for the provincial NDP nomination in Edmonton-South West.
Labour and Immigration Minister Kaycee Madu currently represents the riding — the only UCP MLA who holds a seat in the city. While the NDP has not yet scheduled a date for its vote, Ip is now one of four candidates vying for the nomination, along with Chand Gul, Mohammad Ali Kamal, and Ben Acquaye.
Making the announcement at the legislature Tuesday, Ip said he’s running to protect publicly funded education, help build new schools, and provide leadership that serves community needs.
“I am concerned about the direction our province is heading, and the challenges that we face as a community,” said Ip, who flagged cuts to funding supports that impact vulnerable learners, and education funding that doesn’t keep pace with growth under the UCP government.
“We can do better,” he said.
The three-term trustee said he is the only candidate with the experience to defeat Madu.
Madu said he looks forward to running in the 2023 election against whomever the NDP ends up nominating.
“I am optimistic that the people of South West would vote in our community’s best interests — ultimately, they are the ones who decide who represents them,” he said.
When asked what he thinks it means that four people are seeking the NDP nomination, Madu said, “we live in a democracy, and I think the more people the merrier.”
If nominated, Ip plans to continue as a school board trustee and to take an unpaid leave of absence during next year’s election campaign, a Tuesday news release said.
Labour and Immigration Minister Kaycee Madu currently represents the riding — the only UCP MLA who holds a seat in the city. While the NDP has not yet scheduled a date for its vote, Ip is now one of four candidates vying for the nomination, along with Chand Gul, Mohammad Ali Kamal, and Ben Acquaye.
Making the announcement at the legislature Tuesday, Ip said he’s running to protect publicly funded education, help build new schools, and provide leadership that serves community needs.
“I am concerned about the direction our province is heading, and the challenges that we face as a community,” said Ip, who flagged cuts to funding supports that impact vulnerable learners, and education funding that doesn’t keep pace with growth under the UCP government.
“We can do better,” he said.
The three-term trustee said he is the only candidate with the experience to defeat Madu.
Madu said he looks forward to running in the 2023 election against whomever the NDP ends up nominating.
“I am optimistic that the people of South West would vote in our community’s best interests — ultimately, they are the ones who decide who represents them,” he said.
When asked what he thinks it means that four people are seeking the NDP nomination, Madu said, “we live in a democracy, and I think the more people the merrier.”
If nominated, Ip plans to continue as a school board trustee and to take an unpaid leave of absence during next year’s election campaign, a Tuesday news release said.
Lisa Johnson
lijohnson@postmedia.com
lijohnson@postmedia.com
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