Preceded by Glenn Hagel Occupation Labour activist | Succeeded by Greg Lawrence Preceded by Lorne Calvert Name Deb Higgins | |
Residence Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan | ||
Political party New Democratic Party | ||
Debra Elaine Higgins is a Canadian provincial politician, who was the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan for the constituency of Moose Jaw Wakamow from 1999 to 2011. She is currently the mayor of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, having been elected as the city's first female mayor in the Saskatchewan municipal elections, 2012.
Higgins got her start in politics when she became involved with the UFCW (United Food & Commercial Workers) union in 1982 while working at a Safeway grocery store. She later served as the President of the UFCW Council from 1993 to 1999, during which period she also served as a table officer for the Moose Jaw & District Labour Council.
She was first elected in the 1999 election and was re-elected in the 2003 and 2007 elections. Higgins served in the cabinet of Lorne Calvert as the Minister of Labour and later as the Minister of Learning.
After the defeat of the NDP government in the 2007 election, Higgins has served as the NDP critic for municipal affairs, liquor and gaming, and women's issues.
On January 30, 2009, she announced her bid to succeed Calvert as Saskatchewan NDP leader at the party's June 2009 leadership convention. Higgins ran on the theme of renewal and defeating Premier Brad Wall. In the end she finished last of four candidates with Dwain Lingenfelter being the victor.
In the 2011 election Higgins was defeated in her riding by Greg Lawrence of the Saskatchewan Party.
On September 14, 2012, Higgins announced her candidacy for the mayor of Moose Jaw. On October 23, 2012, Higgins was elected mayor of Moose Jaw in the 2012 municipal election. She is the city's first female mayor in Moose Jaw City Council history.