Public Interest Alberta has, for the last 15 years since its founding, been tireless and uncompromising in its advocacy to both protect and strengthen the public services upon which Albertans rely. Never has this mission been more critical than now, as our public health system is battered by a deadly pandemic and Alberta's austerity-driven provincial government remains committed to privatizing our public services to the benefit of wealthy shareholders and CEOs.
Former Public Interest Alberta Executive Director, Joel French, has recently accepted a position with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, British Columbia Region, after capably leading Public Interest Alberta’s initiatives for the past five years through an adversarial political landscape embedded in a time of an unprecedented public health crisis.
After an extensive executive search, the Board of Directors of Public Interest Alberta is pleased to announce that Bradley Lafortune has been appointed as the Executive Director, effective April 15th, 2021.Brad is uniquely qualified to undertake these challenges and lead the organization into its next chapter.
Brad has worked most of his life on Treaty 6 territory in Alberta as an advocate for worker rights and social, economic and environmental justice. Most recently, he has served as the Director of Campaigns for Western Canada at Point Blank Creative, a progressive communications firm promoting and supporting civil society and labour rights.
Brad previously served as the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Labour for the Alberta New Democrat government, where he helped implement Alberta’s $15 dollar minimum wage in 2018 and set up North America’s first Coal Workforce Transition Fund.
Organizing, advocacy, and political action that centers real stories and builds power are the principles that guide Brad’s work. He is committed to building diverse, inclusive, and equitable networks with Public Interest Alberta to help shape our province’s future.
When he’s not working on campaigns or advocacy work, you can find Brad running around with his daughter Maven and their dog, Rufio. He loves long distance running and when we can all get together, he co-produces and hosts a drop-in singing party called Pub Choir.
Welcome Brad!
