Jim Lemaigre said his first year representing Athabasca has gone well for him, learning the process as a Legislative Assembly member, but also traveling to the northern communities to hear concerns.
“I have such a huge geographic area that I cover. So how do we get best into the communities and build that relationship with the different communities that I represent? So that in itself, I think was a good learning opportunity,” Lemaigre said during a year-end interview. “We try to navigate it as if I’m in the area, then I try to hit as many communities as possible. And if there’s events, we get invitations, and based on that try to get to the communities, the fly in communities, like we have to work closely with the communities.”
He won a by-election in February, vowing to forge relationships with northern leaders and communities.
“We have established communication with leadership. And within my constituency, I have local municipal hamlet villages, and also make the local groups and, First Nation communities, Tribal Councils, and the Prince Albert Grand Council, I have managed to establish communication on those different levels,” he explained.
Lemaigre is from the Clearwater River Dene Nation and is fluent in Dene. He also serves as the Legislative Secretary to the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Rural Heath.
Yet the challenges of the Northwest are not forgotten on Lemaigre, who seeks to advance mental health and addictions support and educational opportunities in his area.
“There’s some concerns that came about advanced education so how could we improve that and also with mental health and addictions and health in general of how we could improve that so some communities have really good initiatives and thought with my role, how can I support them and an advocate on their behalf and articulate a position that represents them well.”