Betty Nippi-Albright to leave NDP caucus, sit as independent

(Twitter/@BettyNippi)

Betty Nippi-Albright, Saskatchewan’s only sitting First Nation female MLA, is leaving the provincial NDP to sit as an independent.

In a statement published Tuesday, the Saskatoon Centre MLA said she could no longer support the direction of her party’s leadership.

“Over time, I have not felt the support or respect required to carry out this work in a good way,” she said. “In good conscience, I can no longer support the direction of Carla Beck’s leadership.”

Nippi-Albright says her status as an independent MLA takes effect immediately.

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“This decision comes after long reflection about how I can best serve the community of Saskatoon Centre and the people who placed their trust in me,” she said.

“My responsibility is first and always to the citizens of Saskatoon Centre and not to any political party.”

The NDP leader indicated the news was not expected. She told reporters in Regina Tuesday that she was just made aware of Nippi-Albright’s departure at the end of the day’s session.

Beck said she was upset with the news.

“I haven’t had the opportunity to speak to Betty yet. I’ll have that conversation with her tonight and be more prepared to answer questions on that tomorrow,” Beck said.

Nippi-Albright is the deputy chair of the Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice committee in the provincial legislature and was serving the provincial NDP caucus as the critic for mental health and addictions.

She has decades of experience in the health sector and community development, and was instrumental in the creation of the First Nation and Métis Health Services in Saskatoon.

“I have raised important issues for a long time, many of which did not receive attention until recently,” said Nippi-Albright, in her statement.

“Sitting as an independent will allow me to continue advocating for Saskatoon Centre, for inherent and Treaty rights holders, and for those whose voices are too often overlooked.”