# Janis Irwin

Janis Irwin (born September 9, 1984) is a Canadian politician who was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in the 2019 Alberta general election, and re-elected in the 2023 Alberta General Election. She represents the electoral district of Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood as a member of the Alberta New Democratic Party. She serves as the Official Opposition Critic for Housing. She previously served as the Critic for Status of Women and 2SLGBTQ+ Issues, and is the Official Opposition Deputy Whip.
A teacher prior to her election, Irwin previously ran as the federal New Democratic Party candidate for Edmonton Griesbach in the 2015 Canadian federal election.

## Personal life

Irwin grew up in Barrhead, Alberta. Prior to being elected, Irwin was a high school social studies teacher in Bawlf, Alberta and served as vice-principal in Forestburg, Alberta. Irwin came out in her late 20s. In 2010, Irwin moved to Edmonton to start working with Alberta Education, focusing on curriculum.

## Education

Irwin holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta, a Master of Education from the University of Calgary, and completed PhD-level coursework at the University of Alberta without defending her thesis.

## Provincial politics

In her first term as Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Irwin advocated against conversion therapy by citing the harmful organization Journey Canada with its ties to this practice. Another issue Irwin strongly advocated on was the legal protections of gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in the education system in Alberta.
In her second term as the Critic for Housing, Irwin has been vocal, calling for action on skyrocketing rents. Irwin has tabled Bill 205, the Housing Security Act, which would bring in temporary rent caps.
Irwin has also been a voice for her unhoused constituents, calling for an end to encampment sweeps and urging immediate investments in affordable and permanent supportive housing.
As of June 21, 2024, she also serves as the chair of the Legislature's Public Accounts Committee.

## Electoral history
### 2015 federal election

vte2015 Canadian federal election: Edmonton Griesbach :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | Expenditures |
| | Conservative | Kerry Diotte | 19,157 | 39.96 | –12.55 | $93,048.30 |
| | New Democratic | Janis Irwin | 16,309 | 34.02 | –3.45 | $150,799.22 |
| | Liberal | Brian Gold | 10,397 | 21.69 | +15.11 | $14,575.14 |
| | Green | Heather Workman | 1,129 | 2.35 | –1.08 | $1,404.61 |
| | Libertarian | Maryna Goncharenko | 415 | 0.87 | – | $150.44 |
| | Marijuana | Linda Northcott | 279 | 0.58 | – | – |
| | Rhinoceros | Bun Bun Thompson | 144 | 0.30 | – | – |
| | Marxist–Leninist | Mary Joyce | 112 | 0.23 | – | – |
| Total valid votes/expense limit | Total valid votes/expense limit | Total valid votes/expense limit | 47,942 | 99.40 | | $214,842.90 |
| Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | Total rejected ballots | 289 | 0.60 | – |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,231 | 59.35 | – |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 81,265 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | Swing | –4.55 |
| Source: Elections Canada |||||||

### 2019 general election

Source:
vte2019 Alberta general election: Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | Janis Irwin | 9,998 | 63.45% | -14.66% |
| | United Conservative | Leila Houle | 4,015 | 25.48% | 6.92% |
| | Alberta Party | Tish Prouse | 1,057 | 6.71% | – |
| | Green | Taz Bouchier | 243 | 1.54% | – |
| | Alberta Independence | Joe Hankins | 226 | 1.43% | – |
| | Alberta Advantage | Chris Poplatek | 116 | 0.74% | – |
| | Communist | Alex S. Boykowich | 103 | 0.65% | – |
| Total | Total | Total | 15,758 | – | – |
| Rejected, spoiled and declined | Rejected, spoiled and declined | Rejected, spoiled and declined | 70 | 88 | 8 |
| Eligible electors / turnout | Eligible electors / turnout | Eligible electors / turnout | 30,596 | 51.76% | 8.12% |
| | New Democratic hold | New Democratic hold | Swing | Swing | -14.06% |
| Source(s) Source: "34 - Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood, 2019 Alberta general election". officialresults.elections.ab.ca. Elections Alberta. Retrieved May 21, 2020. Alberta. Chief Electoral Officer (2019). 2019 General Election. A Report of the Chief Electoral Officer. Volume II (PDF) (Report). Vol. 2. Edmonton, Alta.: Elections Alberta. pp. 132–135. ISBN 978-1-988620-12-1. Retrieved April 7, 2021. |||||||

### 2023 general election

vte2023 Alberta general election: Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | New Democratic | Janis Irwin | 9,491 | 71.46 | +8.01 |
| | United Conservative | Nick Kalynchuk | 3,350 | 25.22 | -0.26 |
| | Green | Kristine Kowalchuk | 339 | 2.55 | +1.01 |
| | Communist | Naomi Rankin | 102 | 0.77 | +0.11 |
| Total | Total | Total | 13,282 | 99.01 | – |
| Rejected and declined | Rejected and declined | Rejected and declined | 133 | 0.99 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 13,415 | 45.22 |
| Eligible voters | Eligible voters | Eligible voters | 29,665 |
| | New Democratic hold | New Democratic hold | Swing | Swing | +4.13 |
| Source(s) Source: Elections Alberta |||||||