Rob Miyashiro (left) shakes hands with Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Salma Lakhani (right) as Miyashiro is sworn in as the MLA for Lethbridge-West. Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo: Alberta NDP)

By David Opinko

Rob Miyashiro sworn in as Lethbridge-West MLA

Jan 20, 2025 | 3:28 PM

While the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump dominated the headlines on Monday, January 20, 2025, a local man was also sworn into office the same day.

Rob Miyashiro is now officially the MLA for Lethbridge-West, following a ceremony at the legislature in Edmonton.

He says it was a great ceremony and he was excited to take part in it.

“I was almost speechless because it’s almost overwhelming once you’re in the moment and the lieutenant governor is there and the speaker is there and your new MLA colleagues and family members,” says Miyashiro. “I don’t even know how to describe it – I thought I would be really calm and cool about it but I’m really not.

The former Lethbridge City Councillor will also serve as the Alberta NDP’s Senior Advisor for the Nonprofit Sector, an area where he has a wealth of experience.

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He was the Executive Director for the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization for almost 17 years and had roles with the Rehabilitation Society of Southwestern Alberta, Blood Tribe Youth Ranch, YWCA, and was a child care counsellor.

Miyashiro says it was disheartening to learn that the Government of Alberta will be cancelling its funding to the Southern Alberta Individualized Planning Network (SAIPA), effective April 7. It is a non-profit that advocates for people with disabilities.

READ MORE: Province discontinuing funding for disability support group in Lethbridge

He says SAIPA provides “some of the most important supports” that people with disabilities can have.

“Their service is to lift up people with disabilities, to show them and the help them and support them to be the best people they can be, regardless of what other services they get, and to show people their value and their worth,” says Miyashiro.

The MLA will take part in a virtual meeting this week where members of SAIPA, the Alberta NDP and others will discuss how they can best support the organization.

Miyashiro adds that he will spend the next several weeks and months speaking with non-profits across Alberta to see what their needs are.

“There are things that, I think have been stewing in my mind about the sector for decades, and now, I might be able to have some influence on some positive changes that can be made.”

Shannon Phillips resigned as the MLA for Lethbridge-West at the end of June 2024. That resulted in a by-election that saw Miyashiro claim 53.3 per cent of the votes, or around 1,145 more than runner-up John Middleton-Hope.

Rob Miyashiro (centre) is sworn in as the MLA for Lethbridge-West, as is shown with Alberta NDP House Leader Christina Gray (left) and Party Leader Naheed Nenshi (right). Jan. 20, 2025. (Photo: Alberta NDP)

READ MORE: Rob Miyashiro projected to win Lethbridge-West by-election

READ MORE: Shannon Phillips resigns as Lethbridge-West MLA