An organiser and leader from an early age, Shannon Phillips is the former MLA for Lethridge-West, a seat she held from 2015 until July of 2024. She served in multiple key roles at the heart of Rachel Notley’s NDP government, including as Minister of Environment and Parks, Minister of the Status of Women, and Government House Leader. While in opposition, she served as the Official Opposition Critic for Finance.

One of her major initiatives in government was developing Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan, where she paired support for Alberta’s energy industry with action on climate. She also led the significant re-investments in Alberta’s park system and created new parks and protected areas.

Before her career as an election official, Shannon worked as an aide to the provincial NDP and worked on economic policy with the Alberta Federation of Labour, focusing on energy and the environment. She has been a longtime and vocal advocate for organised labour, women’s economic equality, housing, tech, renewables and agriculture.

She was recently appointed as adjunct faculty at the University of Lethbridge Department of Political Science.

Shannon is proud to live in Lethbridge, where she is raising her two boys.