MLA Faces Learning Curve Entering Legislature as Opposition Party

Once Eileen Clarke’s assistant for the past 9 years, new MLA Jodie Byram takes a moment before sitting down to talk with NACTV’s Lyle Watson to introduce her own assistant, Sherry Francis, who will be running Byram’s constituency office located at 361 Mountain Avenue in Neepawa.

Byram says having served as Clarke’s assistant definitely gave her a leg up when it came to taking on the role of MLA, especially when it comes to administration and procedures. As well, she’d had the opportunity to attend the legislature with Clarke from time to time in the past and so has some experience working in the space as well. New to the legislature this session, says Byram, was “MLA school”, which consisted of four days of orientation for all new MLA's including presenters on several topics around policies and procedures.

In addition to being elected as a first-time MLA, Byram was also appointed to the shadow cabinet with a portfolio of labour and immigration, which adds another layer to her new responsibilities. The role will take her outside of the constituency to research the topics, meet with individuals, and hear ideas and concerns from across the province. Coming in as a member of the opposition when her predecessor had been part of the government in power was its own learning curve, adds Byram.

Byram highlights relationships as one of the keys to moving ahead, whether those are relationships within one's own constituency, with opposing party members, or with other communities such as in the case of former MLA Clarke’s work with Truth and Reconciliation.

Agassiz encompasses nine municipalities, four school divisions, two heath regions, and over 20 Hutterite colonies, housing a lot of diversity within its borders. Now that she’s finished her first session in legislature, Byram intends to spend the next few weeks going out into the constituency and learning more about the wants and needs of her constituents before the session resumes in the spring.

Byram closed by thanking her predecessor, role model, and mentor Eileen Clarke for everything she did to support her and everything she continues to do to help Byram in her new role.