David Shepherd (Canadian politician)

David Shepherd
Shepherd in 2019
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Edmonton-City Centre
Edmonton-Centre 2015–2019
Assumed office
May 5, 2015
Preceded byLaurie Blakeman
Personal details
Born(1973-06-19)June 19, 1973
Edmonton, Alberta
Political partyAlberta New Democratic Party
Residence(s)Edmonton, Alberta
EducationRoyal Roads University, MacEwan University
OccupationCommunications professional

David Murray Shepherd (born 1973) is a Canadian politician who was elected in the 2015 Alberta general election to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta to represent the electoral district of Edmonton-Centre,[1] and re-elected in the 2019 Alberta general election to represent its successor district, Edmonton-City Centre.[2]

Personal life

[edit]

Shepherd has a Bachelors of Arts in Professional Communications from Royal Roads University where he received the Chancellor's award in 2014.[2] He also has a diploma in music performance and live sound recording from MacEwan University.[2] Shepherd worked in a variety of jobs such as taxpayer service agent, salesperson, musician and studio engineer.[2]

Before being elected, Shepherd worked in the Communications field as a trainer/facilitator for the Canada Revenue agency, and advisor and writer for the North Edge Business Association, Communications Officer for the City of Edmonton and a writer for Alberta Health.[2]

During his time as a musician, David played piano and keyboards for the Mike McDonald Band, the James Murdoch Band, Tanyss Nixi and others. He also performed his own music and, in 2010, released a solo album, Gotta Leave Where You're From.

Shepherd is an avid cyclist and volunteered for the Edmonton Bike Coalition as a spokesperson and organizer.

Political Work

[edit]

In 2017, David worked with then Minister of Culture and Tourism, Ricardo Miranda, to secure a proclamation making Alberta the fourth province in Canada to recognize February as Black History Month. He also worked with the then-Speaker of the Legislature, Bob Wanner, to host the first celebration of Black History Month at the Alberta Legislature. It is now an annual event.

After his reelection in 2019, David was named the Critic for Health for the Alberta NDP Caucus. He remained in that role until January 2024. In September 2024, he was appointed as the Alberta NDP Caucus' Shadow Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Services and Deputy House Leader. [2]

Electoral history

[edit]

2023 general election

[edit]
2023 Alberta general election: Edmonton-City Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic David Shepherd 12,431 74.89 +8.87
United Conservative Richard Wong 3,691 22.24 +0.46
Green David Clark 476 2.87 +1.21
Total 16,598 98.84
Rejected and declined 195 1.16
Turnout 16,793 51.00
Eligible voters 32,928
New Democratic hold Swing +4.21
Source(s)

2019 general election

[edit]
2019 Alberta general election: Edmonton-City Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic David Shepherd 13,598 66.0% +11.59%
United Conservative Lily Le 4,485 21.8% +3.68%
Alberta Party Bob Philp 1,907 9.3% --
Green Chris Alders 342 1.7% --
  Independence John R. Morton 169 0.8% --
Independent Blake N. Dickinson 95 0.5% --
Total valid votes 20,596
Rejected, spoiled, and declined 191 76 22
Registered electors and turnout 38,887 53.5%
New Democratic hold Swing %
Source(s)
"2019 Provincial General Election Results". Elections Alberta. Retrieved 2019-04-30.

2015 general election

[edit]
2015 Alberta general election: Edmonton-Centre
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
New Democratic David Shepherd 8,983 54.39% 38.19%
Liberal Laurie Blakeman 4,199 25.42% -14.95%
Progressive Conservative Catherine Keill 2,228 13.49% -17.34%
Wildrose Joe Byram 772 4.67% -7.94%
Independent Greg Keating 295 1.79%
Independent Rory Joe Koopmans 40 0.24%
Total 16,517
Rejected, spoiled and declined 64
Eligible electors / turnout 34,976 47.41% -2.10%
New Democratic gain from Liberal Swing 9.71%
Source(s)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Riding results: Edmonton Centre". Archived from the original on 2015-05-26.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Shepherd, David. "Elected Members". Legislative Assembly of Alberta.
  3. ^ "29 - Edmonton-City Centre". officialresults.elections.ab.ca. Elections Alberta. Retrieved June 8, 2023.