Georgina Jolibois, left, and Darwin Roy. (Submitted photo/Darwin Roy)

By Derek Cornet

byelection

Athabasca NDP nomination a two-person race

Dec 9, 2021 | 5:34 PM

Georgina Jolibois, a former MP and current mayor of La Loche, is one of two northerners seeking the nomination for the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party in the upcoming Athabasca byelection.

Jolibois is running against political newcomer Darwin Roy in a provincial riding previously held by long-time MLA Buckley Belanger. He resigned from the seat back in August for an unsuccessful bid to be elected as a Liberal in the September federal election.

Currently in her fifth term as mayor of La Loche, Jolibois was an NDP MP from 2015 to 2019. While in Ottawa, she sponsored a private member’s bill for a new holiday which eventually became the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation first celebrated Sept. 30 this year.

“The work requires a strong voice, I believe, for the northwest side, not only in my community of La Loche, but to all communities and all residents in the Athabasca riding,” Jolibois said of the nomination. “There’s some critical issues facing the residents in the communities that someone with knowledge and a strong voice can address.”

Jolibois, who is a member of the Clearwater River Dene Nation, believes the federal and provincial NDP have similarities like taking into account all sides of an issue rather than focusing more so on businesses or industries. She also said the NDP tend to remember marginalized groups and the Athabasca constituency is predominately First Nations and Métis.

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Although new to politics, Roy wanted residents to know he’s not intimidated by Jolibois’ track record. He said he also carries experience by being a former campaign manager for Belanger and working under former Liberal MP Gary Merasty while employed with Cameco.

“I have an extensive career in the resource industry and, for a while, I was working for the Lac La Ronge Indian Band in lands and resources,” Roy said. “I went to the University of Saskatchewan representing them in a community relations capacity, from there Saskatchewan Polytechnic.”

Roy, who is a member of Canoe Lake Cree First Nation who grew up in Beauval, has been working Île-à-la-Crosse as an educator since September. He was wanting to run in the 2024 Saskatchewan general election, but Belanger’s resignation during the summer fast-tracked that plan.

“I feel it is the right time because I really believe in our leadership, in Ryan Meili and the NDP’s philosophies,” Roy said. “I believe the NDP’s philosophies here are very consistent with northern Saskatchewan’s morals, values and traditions. I believe in the movement. I think the NDP is gaining momentum provincially as well.”

The deadline for purchasing an NDP membership is tomorrow. The voting for the nomination will occur online between Dec. 13 to Dec. 17.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno