Honourable Steve Young, Edmonton-Riverview

Thank you, Lord for the Honourable Mr. Steve Young. Please give him the wisdom, courage and strength to fulfill his duties as an MLA for Edmonton-Riverview. His job can be hard at times to do, but Lord, please help him to make good decisions for the people of Edmonton-Riverview. Help him to do his job well and at the same time make it pleasing to you. Please continue to guide him in his position. In your name, we pray. Amen.

Government Whip

Steve Young was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Riverview on April 23, 2012. He was subsequently appointed as vice-chair of the Government Operations Committee and a member of the Agenda and Priorities Committee. He also serves as Government Whip.

Mr. Young also serves as a member of the following Standing Committees:

• Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Families and Communities

He was previously involved with the following Standing Committees:

• Members´ Services (deputy chair)
• Alberta’s Economic Future
• Resource Stewardship

A fourth-generation Albertan, Mr. Young grew up just outside of Edmonton in the County of Strathcona. He attended the University of Alberta and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1995 and an MBA specializing in international business in 2004.

He served on the board of directors for what is now known as Servus Credit Union for six years and chaired its Audit and Finance Committee. He is past president of the Garneau Community League and was involved with the Edmonton-Riverview Progressive Conservative Association for three years, serving on the executive committee and then as president.

Mr. Young was a criminal law instructor at MacEwan University from 2007 to 2012; as an educator, he has done consulting work for the Alberta Solicitor General, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Edmonton Transit on risk management, operations and strategy.

During his tenure as an officer with the Edmonton Police Service from 1995 until 2012 Mr. Young gained a breadth of experience in numerous areas, including emergency response, criminal investigations, community engagement, crime prevention and information management. Prior to his election to the Legislative Assembly Mr. Young was involved with a national initiative for developing data exchange standards in partnership with Public Safety Canada, the RCMP, the Department of Homeland Security, Mexico and INTERPOL.

A former player in the Western Hockey League and for the University of Alberta Golden Bears, Mr. Young has also completed the Canadian Ironman triathlon as part of the Cops for Cancer team that raised money and awareness for cancer research.

Mr. Young along with his wife, Leanne, and their daughters, Abigail and Taylor, reside in the community of Crestwood.

March 15, 2013

MLA David H. Xiao, Edmonton-McClung

Dear Lord, please bless MLA David Xiao and his family. We pray that you would lead him to make good decisions to help our province, and help him with the important work that he does. We pray that even with his busy schedule that he and his family will be able to spend quality time together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

David Xiao was elected to his second term as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-McClung on April 23, 2012. He is a member of the following Standing Committees:

• Private Bills (chair)
• Alberta´s Economic Future

Previously he served as a member of the following Standing Committees

• Legislative Offices (chair)
• Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Resource Stewardship

In addition to his role as an MLA, Mr. Xiao served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Energy, Minister of Transportation and the Minister of Employment and Immigration. He was also as a member of the Cabinet Policy Committee on Energy and a member of Standing Committees on Private Bills, Public Accounts, Energy, the Economy and Public Safety and Services.

Prior to his election as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Mr. Xiao was an avid entrepreneur and local businessperson. Mr. Xiao’s diverse entrepreneurial experience includes international trade, publishing, commercial real estate investment and marketing.

Dedicated to furthering his education and expanding his horizons, Mr. Xiao has a diploma in geological science from the Beijing Institute of Mining and a bachelor of arts in English literature from the Beijing Second Foreign Language Institute. Mr. Xiao has also studied business through NAIT and economics at the University of Alberta.

Mr. Xiao is active in his community and is a member of the Rotary Club of Edmonton and the Canadian Club of Edmonton. He has served on the board of directors of the YMCA and the Edmonton Chinese Garden Society.

Mr. Xiao lives in Edmonton with his wife, Alice, and his sons, Allen and Andrew.

Mr. Xiao is a tea connoisseur. Collecting clay teapots and cooking are his main hobbies.

March 15, 2013

Honourable Teresa Woo-Paw, Calgary-Northern Hills

Lord, we are grateful for the Honourable Teresa Woo-Paw. Continue to give her vision and direction for the people of Calgary-Northern Hills. Give her the strength and encouragement she needs as she serves here in the Alberta Legislature. May you help her as she makes decisions and helps to put in place legislation that will bring about change and move our province forward. May she and her family experience your blessing. Amen.

Associate Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations

Ms Woo-Paw was elected to her second term as Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Northern Hills on April 23, 2012. On May 8, 2012 she was named Associate Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations. On June 12, 2012, Honourable Woo-Paw was appointed Chair of the Asia Advisory Council.

Previously, she served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Employment and Immigration and as a member of the standing committees on Public Safety and Services and Public Accounts.

Ms Woo-Paw holds a bachelor of arts degree in social work from the University of Calgary and has dedicated her career to promoting active civic engagement and volunteerism, social inclusion, cross-cultural understanding and antidiscrimination awareness.

Prior to serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Ms Woo-Paw worked as a private consultant providing diversity training and program facilitation and instruction. During her career she has worked for the Cultural Diversity Institute, the Calgary health region, United Way Calgary, the Red Cross, Calgary board of education, the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association and the Calgary Immigrant Aid Society.

Additionally, Ms Woo-Paw served as the trustee and chair of the Calgary board of education from 1995 to 1999.

An active part of her community for over 30 years, Ms Woo-Paw founded the Asian Heritage Foundation, the Ethno-Cultural Council of Calgary and the Calgary Chinese Community Services Association as well as served on over 30 committees and boards including the following organizations:

• United Way of Calgary and area
• Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations
• Alberta Wild Rose Foundation
• Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre

Her community service has earned Ms Woo-Paw an Immigrant of Distinction Award, YWCA’s Woman of Distinction Award, the Queen’s Jubilee Award for Multiculturalism and Community Services and the Canada 125th Commemorative Award for Community Services.

Ms Woo-Paw lives in Calgary with her husband, Borick. They have three children: Jadine, Jason and Cordelia.

December 3, 2012

MLA Jeff Wilson, Calgary-Shaw

Dear Jesus, we thank you for MLA Jeff Wilson and the service he has provided to the people of this province. Lord, we pray that you will be with him in all his decision making whether simple or complex. May he experience your strength each and every day and know you are guiding him. Bless him with health and safety. Amen.

Jeff Wilson was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Shaw on April 23, 2012. He is a member of the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices and the Standing Committee on Families and Communities. He also serves as a member of the Select Special Conflicts of Interest Act Review Committee.

Mr. Wilson graduated from Harry Collinge high school in Hinton. He completed a broadcasting diploma at Mount Royal college in Calgary in 2000. He has worked in the communications field ever since, both as an entrepreneur and as an employee with AVW-TELAV, a North American audiovisual solutions company.

Mr. Wilson first became involved in politics while attending Mount Royal college, where he served as president of the Broadcasting Society from 1999 to 2000. An active member of his community, he has volunteered at Calgary’s Ronald McDonald House and with the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter.

March 15, 2013

MLA Len Webber, Calgary-Foothills

Dear God, we pray for MLA Len Webber that you would lead him to lead our province in the right direction and to do the most important things that this province needs. We also pray that you will bless him and his family, in Jesus’name, Amen.

Len Webber was elected to his third term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Calgary-Foothills on April 23, 2012. He currently serves as a member of the Standing Committee on Private Bills and the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship.

During his service as a Member, Mr. Webber has also served as Minister of Aboriginal Relations, Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations, deputy government whip, parliamentary assistant for Energy and on the following boards and committees:

• Standing Committee on Public Accounts
• Standing Committee on Energy
• Standing Committee on Legislative Offices
• Select Special Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee
• Standing Committee on Resources and Environment
• Chair, Healthy Aging and Continuing Care in Alberta
• Co-chair, MLA Task Force on Continuing Care Health Service and Accommodation Standards
• Chair, MLA Task Force on Affordable Housing and Homelessness in Alberta
• Member, Select Special Ethics Commissioner Search Committee
• Member, Alberta/Alaska Bilateral Council
• Member, Public Accounts Committee
• Member, Standing Policy Committee on Education and Employment
• Chair, Advisory Committee on Climate Change
• Chair, MLA Review Committee of Private Investigators and Security Guards Act
• Member, The Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Board of Directors
• Member, Calgary WorldSkills 2009 Board of Directors
• Member, Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) Review Committee
• Member, Private Bills Committee
• Member, Treasury Board

Before becoming an MLA, Mr. Webber was the vice-president and director of Webber Academy, a nonprofit university preparatory private school in Calgary. The academy provides advanced and challenging curriculum to about 950 above-average and academically gifted students from junior kindergarten to Grade 12.

Len Webber was born in Calgary, raised in the northwest community of Brentwood, and is the son of former Calgary MLA and cabinet minister Dr. Neil Webber. He received his bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Calgary and his journeyman communications electrician certificate from SAIT. He worked as an apprentice electrician out of high school and ran his own contracting business for 10 years before starting with Webber Academy.

Mr. Webber has a history of involvement and volunteerism with community groups, including Hospice Calgary, The Calgary Foundation, MS Society and as a board member of the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC). He is a loyal volunteer in many fundraising events promoting breast cancer awareness, research, and development. He is a proud recipient of the Alberta Centennial Medal for his contributions to the province of Alberta.

Mr. Webber and his late wife, Heather, have three teenage daughters: Lauren, Jaime and Kelly.

March 15, 2013

Honourable Greg Weadick, Lethbridge-West

Thank you, Lord for the Honourable Greg Weadick and the service he has done for Alberta. Please bless the decisions that he will make. Let those decisions help to improve the lives of all people. Give MLA Greg the mental strength to be a good leader for his constituency. May he know that you love him greatly, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs

Greg Weadick was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lethbridge-West on April 23, 2012. On May 8, 2012 he was named Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs.

During his first term, on February 18, 2011, Mr. Weadick was appointed Minister of Advanced Education and Technology and a member of the Cabinet Policy Committee on the Economy.

Previously, Mr. Weadick also served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. He has also served on the following committees:

• Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services
• Standing Committee on the Economy
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts

He has deep roots in Lethbridge, being the fourth generation of his family to call the city home. He was among the first students at the University of Lethbridge’s new west-side campus, earning his bachelor of science in 1976 before beginning his career as a certified irrigation design consultant. He has also owned and operated several successful small businesses in Lethbridge and is currently president of Frontier Irrigation Ltd. and co-owner of Yardworks and Tileworks.

Mr. Weadick was first elected to Lethbridge city council in 1991 and continued to serve for nine years. As a member of council, he helped guide the city’s pay-as-you-go strategy that put the city on firm financial ground. Mr. Weadick also served on provincial task forces on police funding and air transportation while on council.

During his 25-plus years of volunteer service, in Lethbridge he helped found the Lethbridge Rotary Dragonboat Festival, which has gone on to become one of the most anticipated events of the year. He was the founding president of the Lethbridge Youth Foundation and 5th on 5th Youth Services, which has helped thousands of young people get their education back on track and become contributing members of society.

He also helped promote the city as chairman of the Economic Development, Agriculture & Tourism Committee and as a member of the Downtown LA Board. He has served on the Lethbridge & District Exhibition Board and the Lethbridge Senior Friendly Committee, the police commission, and is a longtime Rotarian. As a businessman, Mr. Weadick has long been associated with the Lethbridge and District Chamber of Commerce, including several years as a director.

He and his wife, Joanne, also a former alderman, recently celebrated their 31st anniversary. Their two children, Josh and Lauren, both attend the University of Lethbridge.

May 14, 2012

Honourable George VanderBurg, Whitecourt-Ste. Anne

Dear Lord, I pray for the Honourable George VanderBurg as he represents the people of Whitecourt, Alberta. We pray that you will continue to guide him in his daily work. May he know that the long hours he puts in serving are appreciated. We pray as well that you would show your love to his family and keep them healthy and safe. Amen.

Associate Minister of Seniors (reporting to the Minister of Health)

George VanderBurg was elected to his fourth term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Whitecourt-Ste. Anne on April 23, 2012. On May 8, 2012, he was named Associate Minister of Seniors (reporting to the Minister of Health). During his third term he was sworn in as Minister of Seniors.

In addition, Mr. VanderBurg served as a member of the Cabinet Policy Committee on Public Health & Safety, the Canadian Energy Research Institute.

In April 2006 Mr. VanderBurg was appointed Minister of Government Services. In August 2006 he was also appointed Acting Minister of Innovation and Science. Both positions were held until December 2006.

Mr. VanderBurg has also served as a member of the following:

• Personal Information Protection Act Review Committee (deputy chair)
• Standing Committee on Legislative Offices Committee
• Standing Committee on Government Services
• Seniors Advisory Council for Alberta (chair)
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts (vice-chair)
• Advisory Council on Electricity
• Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund
• Standing Committee on Private Bills
• Standing Policy Committee on Agriculture and Municipal Affairs
• MLA Tourism Funding Review Committee
• School Construction and Operating Review Committee
• Roles and Responsibilities Committee, Municipal Affairs
• MLA Precious Minerals and Mines Strategy Committee
• Northlands Park Board (director)
• Transmission Advisory Commission (chair)

Prior to becoming the MLA for Whitecourt-Ste. Anne in 2001, Mr. VanderBurg served 15 years in municipal politics. He served as the mayor of Whitecourt for almost nine years and spent six as a town councillor.

Over the years Mr. VanderBurg was an active Rotarian, and he and his wife, Liz, were successful owners and operators of various businesses in northern Alberta. He was president of the Whitecourt Chamber of Commerce and was the recipient of the Chamber of Commerce president’s award. Mr. VanderBurg has also been named Whitecourt’s citizen of the year and been awarded the Alberta Chamber of Commerce small business of the year award.

Mr. VanderBurg and his wife have been married for 35 years, have two sons, Kris (Amanda) and Jake (Crystal) and live in Whitecourt.

May 14, 2012

MLA Kerry Towle, Innisfail-Sylvan Lake

Dear Lord Jesus, we thank you today for MLA Kerry Towle, and we pray that she would have a blessed day. May she feel your love and peace as she carries out her duties she has been called to do. Thank you for the kindness and compassion she contributes as she represents the Alberta government today. In Jesus name, Amen.

Kerry Towle was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake on April 23, 2012. She sits on the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing and the Standing Committee on Families and Communities. She previously served as a member of the Standing Committee on Alberta´s Economic Future.

A graduate of Innisfail high school and Reeves College, Mrs. Towle has worked in real estate for the past six years and is an Associate Broker. Prior to this, she worked for almost 10 years with the David Thompson Regional Health Authority as the executive assistant to the Nursing Leader. She also worked in human resources with the department of Indian and northern affairs, now known as Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

Mrs. Towle and her husband were turkey producers from 2003 to 2008.

Mrs. Towle was a strong advocate for her brother Ron who had Huntington’s Disease until his death in 2010.

She served for six years with the Royal Canadian Army Cadets as both a cadet and a cadet officer in Red Deer and Whitehorse, Yukon.

Mrs. Towle has hiked the Chillkoot Trail in the Yukon three times. Mrs. Towle and her family enjoy travelling and have backpacked extensively throughout Africa, Southeast Asia and Central America. Her family also hosts a Japanese high school student every year.

March 15, 2013

MLA David Swann, Calgary-Mountain View

Dear Lord, thank you for MLA David Swann and the position he holds. Keep giving him the wisdom and knowledge he needs and help him make good decisions for our province. Give him the time to enjoy the sports he loves. Let him know how much you care for him and we pray you will keep him safe. Amen.

David Swann was elected to his third term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Calgary-Mountain View on April 23, 2012. From December 15, 2008 to September 12, 2011, Dr. Swann served as leader of the Alberta Liberal caucus, Her Majesty’s Official Opposition.

Dr. Swann was appointed to the Standing Committee on Private Bills on May 24, 2012, and the Standing Committee on Families and Communities on May 28, 2012.

He previously served as critic for Health and Wellness and Executive Council. Additionally, Dr. Swann served as a member of the following Standing Committees:

• Public Health and Safety
• Private Bills
• Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing

During his first term Dr. Swann was environment critic and also served as deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Resources and Environment and as a member of the Private Bills Committee and the Standing Committee on Health.

Dr. Swann graduated from the University of Alberta with his B.MSc. in 1971, his MD in 1973 and from the University of Calgary with his FRCP(C) in 1988. He practised as a family physician from 1975 to 1984 and then as a public health consultant from 1988 to 2004.

Dr. Swann is active within his community and was responsible for initiating the Healthy City Project in Calgary in 1987. He was also a part of developing the first pesticide-free park in Calgary in 1998 and has been involved in a number of anti-sanctions, anti-war movements from 1995 to 2004, which included three trips to Iraq.

He was involved in the publication of Finding My Voice for Peace (from Canada and the New American Empire, ed. George Melnyk). Dr. Swann was also honoured with the Gold Star Teaching Award in both 1999 and 2003 from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary.

Dr. Swann has been actively involved in raising issues of human security and human rights both locally (farm-workers) and internationally (Darfur).

Dr. Swann and his wife, Laureen, have three children. During his free time he enjoys peace and justice work, music and singing, jogging, woodworking and writing.

June 6, 2012

MLA Rick Strankman, Drumheller-Stettler

Father God, we pray for MLA Rick Strankman. Thank you for all his hard work to improve the quality of life for his constituents in Drumheller-Stettler. Guide him in his work and may he have strength and courage to make decisions and deal with issues that come up. Bless him with health and vitality for each new day. Amen.

Rick Strankman was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Drumheller-Stettler on April 23, 2012. In addition to serving on both the Standing Committee on Private Bills and the legislative policy committee on Alberta’s Economic Future, he is the Tourism, Parks and Recreation critic.

Mr. Strankman has owned and operated a farming business since 1973. From 1999 to 2011 he also volunteered as secretary/treasurer of the Western Barley Growers Association. Although initially interested in agriculture, Mr. Strankman became increasingly involved in politics and social activism in response to federal regulation of the agriculture industry, including legislation relating to the Canadian Wheat Board.

His commitment to public service began early on and as a youth Mr. Strankman was honored with the Queen’s scout award by Boy Scouts of Canada.

Mr. Strankman also has a keen interest in aviation and has held a pilot’s licence and done aerial application since 1974.

He and his wife Dianne live in Altario and have two grown children.

March 13, 2013

MLA Pat Stier, Livingstone-Macleod

Dear Jesus, thank you for MLA Pat Stier and all the hard work he has done for Alberta. We pray that you would bless him and continue to guide him through all the decisions that he must make. Give him all the strength and wisdom that he will need to fulfill his duties. In Jesus name, Amen.

Pat Stier was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Livingstone-Macleod on April 23, 2012. He was appointed to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship on May 28, 2012.

Mr. Stier has lived in Alberta’s foothills region his entire life. He was raised on the family ranch near De Winton, where he and his family have raised Angus cattle, Arabian horses and various crops for more than 30 years. He attended school in Okotoks.

Throughout his working career Mr. Stier was employed primarily in the seismic data segment of the oil and gas industry in Calgary. He is President of River Canyon Enterprises Inc., a rural land planning consulting company in the foothills region.

Mr. Stier has experience working with and for municipal government. He served as a councillor with the Municipal District of Foothills from 2004 to 2007. He served as President of the Dunbow Road Area Residents Association from 1988 to 1999.

June 26, 2012

Honourable Richard Starke, Vermilion-Lloydminster

Dear Jesus, we pray for the Honourable Dr. Richard Starke, that you would be with him and help him in the stress and pressure that he faces day by day. May he experience strength and guidance for the many tasks he has to do. We pray also that you would bless him and his family with good health and be with them. Amen.

Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation

Richard Starke was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Vermilion-Lloydminster on April 23, 2012. He was sworn-in as Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation on February 8, 2013.

Dr. Starke serves as a member of the Agenda and Priorities Committee, Operations and Policy Cabinet Committee, Families and Community Ministerial Group, and Natural Resources and Environment Ministerial Group. Dr. Starke also serves as chair of the Private Members Business Committee.

In addition, he previously chaired the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing and served as a member of the Standing Committees on Alberta’s Economic Future, Public Accounts and Private Bills.

Dr. Starke was born and raised in Edmonton. He attended the University of Alberta and later the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, where he graduated with a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) in 1983. Dr. Starke joined the Lloydminster Animal Hospital in 1983, became a partner in 1985 and was senior partner from 1990 until his retirement from practice in December 2011.

Dr. Starke first became interested in politics while in high school, when he participated in model parliamentary activities as a member of the TUXIS Parliament of Alberta. During his time in TUXIS Parliament he served in various Cabinet positions, as well as Premier and Speaker. He also represented Alberta at the first National Youth Parliament in Ottawa in 1980, serving as Minister of Energy. In 1985 he became the youngest person to be elected to city council in Lloydminster, becoming an alderman at the age of 25 and serving two terms, from 1985 to 1991.

An active member of his community, Dr. Starke has served as a member and board chair of the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation. He has been involved with the Rotary Club of Lloydminster and Rotary International since the late 1980s, and he is a founding member of Lloydminster´s German Heritage Society. He has also served as director of coaching and programs for the Lloydminster Border Blades Speed Skating Club.

Dr. Starke lives north of Lloydminster in the Durness district with his wife, Alison. Both of their sons currently attend university.

March 15, 2013

MLA Danielle Smith, Highwood

Dear Lord, thank you for the MLA Danielle Smith, chosen to represent the people of Alberta and the constituency of Highwood. We pray that you would help her in her very busy schedule to focus on the things of most importance. Bless her with wisdom and understanding to deal with any difficult decision or issue that may arise. Fill her with your strength and peace. In Jesus Name, Amen

Leader of the Official Opposition

Danielle Smith was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Highwood on April 23, 2012. She was elected as leader of the Wildrose Party of Alberta on October 17, 2009. She sits on the Special Standing Committee on Members´ Services and previously served on the Standing Committee on Alberta´s Economic Future
.
Prior to entering politics, Ms. Smith was the director of provincial affairs for Alberta with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, CFIB. She worked with all levels of government to represent the interests of CFIB’s 10,000 small-business members in Alberta.

Before joining CFIB, Ms. Smith had extensive experience in the media. She was an editorial writer and columnist at the Calgary Herald for six years. She served as host of Global Sunday, a national current affairs television talk show, and was also the host of two programs. on CKMX 1060 AM radio in Calgary, Health Frontiers and Standing Ground. She has made frequent guest appearances as a commentator on TV and radio
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Ms. Smith’s public policy experience began with an internship at the Fraser Institute. She was also elected as a trustee for the Calgary board of education and served as the director of the Alberta Property Rights Initiative and the Canadian Property Rights Research Institute.

Ms. Smith received a BA in English and a BA in economics from the University of Calgary. She married her husband, David Moretta in 2006 and is the proud stepmother of David´s son Jonathan. Danielle and David live in High River with their two dogs, Caine and Turk.

March 15, 2013

MLA Raj Sherman, Edmonton-Meadowlark

Dear Lord, We thank you for MLA Dr. Raj Sherman and that he was chosen to be an MLA. We ask that you would guide his work and that you would help make the best decisions for us in Alberta. We ask that you also bless him and his family. Amen

Liberal Opposition Leader

Dr. Raj Sherman was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Meadowlark on April 23, 2012. He was appointed to the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund and the Special Standing Committee on Members´ Services on May 24, 2012. He previously served as a member of the Standing Committee on Alberta´s Economic Future.

He served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health and Wellness from March 12, 2008, to November 22, 2010. In September 2011 he became Leader of the Official Opposition.

Dr. Sherman completed his medical studies at the University of Alberta, and after obtaining his MD from the Faculty of Medicine, he specialized in family and emergency medicine.

During his first term, medical career he served as a STARS flight physician, as president of the section of emergency medicine for the Alberta Medical Association (AMA), and as a member of the AMA Health Issues Council.

Active in his community, Dr. Sherman is a director of the Society for Helping Lives in Poverty, a past member of the McKernan housing community, and a soccer and basketball coach. He also runs a small construction business designing and building custom-made homes.

Dr. Sherman is a past member of the University of Alberta Senate and a clinical lecturer at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine. He continues to be a keynote speaker and panellist at national health conferences.

Among his many professional accomplishments Dr. Sherman received a gold pin for his service with STARS, a bronze medal from the Lifesaving Society Alberta and Northwest Territories, and the Alan Drummond advocacy award from the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians.

In July 2011 he was voted one of the 50 most influential Albertans by Alberta Venture magazine.

He continues practising emergency medicine on weekends in Edmonton, Alberta.

March 15, 2013

Honourable Donald Scott, Fort McMurray-Conklin

Dear Lord, thank you for the Honourable Donald  Scott, chosen to represent the people of Fort McMurray. We pray that you would help him in his busy schedule to focus on the things that are most important. Guide him in his day to day life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Associate Minister of Accountability, Transparency and Transformation

Don Scott was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Fort McMurray-Conklin on April 23, 2012, and was appointed by Premier Redford as the Associate Minister of Accountability, Transparency and Transformation on May 8, 2012.

A graduate of the University of New Brunswick and the University of Cambridge, Don has worked as a lawyer in Fort McMurray for more than 10 years. In 2006 he founded the McMurray Law Office, where he practises in the areas of family, real estate and business law. During his time in England in the late 1990s he served as an assistant solicitor with the Bloody Sunday inquiry, a 12-year public inquiry into the killing of 13 civilians by British soldiers. In 2010 Don was appointed to the Queen’s Counsel of Alberta.

Don served as councillor for ward 1 of the regional municipality of Wood Buffalo from October 2010 until his election to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.

An active community member and volunteer, Don was a board member of the United Way for six years , and previously served as president for the local chapter. He also volunteers as a board member of Legal Aid in Fort McMurray and Children First, and has served on the Northern Lights Health Region Ethics Committee for two years. Don has served as a Bencher for the Law Society of Alberta.

Don and his family live in the Thickwood area of Fort McMurray. He is an avid badminton and basketball player who also enjoys spending his free time hiking and fly-fishing.

June 7, 2012

MLA Shayne Saskiw, Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing MLA Mr. Shayne Saskiw in this role of government. I ask that you will put your hand of protection over him and his family. Bless him with the wisdom and knowledge that he needs to deal with any difficult decision or issue that may arise. I pray your love and peace over him, Lord. I commit this in your name, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Shayne Saskiw was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills on April 23, 2012. He was appointed to the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing on May 24, 2012, and previously served on the Standing Committee on Families and Communities.

Mr. Saskiw was born and raised in the Two Hills area and grew up working on the family purebred cattle farm. Mr. Saskiw, being awarded the Dean´s Citation in Law, has a Bachelor of Laws with Distinction from the University of Alberta, winning the Silver Medal. He also holds a Bachelor of Commerce with Distinction.

Mr. Saskiw practices law with a specialization in tax litigation, having worked at a premiere tax law boutique firm and clerked at the Tax Court of Canada in Ottawa.

April 18, 2013