In October 2006, she was nominated as the Alberta NDP candidate in the provincial constituency of Edmonton Strathcona and was elected MLA in the 2008 Alberta provincial election.
In October 2006, she was nominated by acclamation as the Alberta NDP candidate in the provincial constituency of Edmonton Strathcona, replacing former Alberta NDP leader Raj Pannu. She was subsequently elected as an MLA in the 2008 Alberta provincial election.