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Dirk seeking NDP nomination for Brooks-Medicine Hart
First time seeking political office

Gwendoline Dirk seeking NDP nomination in Brooks-Medicine Hat

May 26, 2022 | 12:39 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Retired Medicine Hat College instructor Gwendoline Dirk has announced her intention to seek the NDP nomination in Brooks-Medicine Hat for the next provincial election.

Dirk has been involved as a volunteer with the local NDP executive and feels it’s the party which aligns most closely with her values.

The party has had difficulty fielding a candidate in previous elections here, but Dirk says people’s concerns about the direction of the province has seen more people becoming involved in the process.

“There’s been a lot of momentum, not only in Medicine Hat but all over the province; the provincial NDP has candidates everywhere now so I think that’s the biggest reason, there’s a lot of concern out there about what is happening,” says Dirk.

In addition to a career in education, Dirk grew up on a farm and also operated a family farm in central Alberta for several years.

She is a current member of the Medicine Hat Police Commission.

Dirk says the race in Brooks-Medicine Hat figures to be interesting, with former Brooks Mayor Barry Morishita running for the Alberta Party as its leader, and UCP MLA Michaela Frey having taken 60 per cent of the vote in 2019.

Dirk is the only declared candidate for the NDP in the riding, with a nomination meeting planned for June 23.

Dirk says there will soon be further announcements about several people seeking the NDP nomination in Cypress-Medicine Hat.

The next provincial election isn’t expected until May 2023.