Premier Alison Redford

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You that You have blessed Alberta’s government with Premier Alison Redford and for the strength and wisdom You have given her to keep our province moving forward.  Continue to guide her in her decision making and may she be aware of Your peace during difficult days.  We ask that You would put Your almighty and merciful hand on our Premier.   In Your Name we pray,  Amen.

Premier of Alberta, President of Executive Council, Chair of Agenda and Priorities Committee

Alison Redford was elected leader of the Alberta Progressive Conservative Party on October 1, 2011 and sworn-in as Alberta’s 14th premier on October 7, 2011.

Alison was born on March 7, 1965 in Kitimat, British Columbia and grew up all over Canada and overseas before settling in Calgary as a teenager. She graduated from Bishop Carroll High School in Calgary and completed her post-secondary education at the University of Saskatchewan College Of Law in 1988. Alison and her husband, Glen Jermyn, have one daughter, Sarah.

Alison has been actively involved in both provincial and national politics since the 1980s. She served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Right Honourable Joe Clark when he was Secretary of State for External Affairs, and later worked in the Prime Minister’s Office. In this capacity, she organized a series of national consultations facilitating public input on federal white papers concerned with foreign affairs and defense. In Parliament, she was also the Principal Legislative Advisor to the Secretary of State for External Affairs.

Returning home to Calgary from Ottawa, Alison articled at Rooney Prentice. She then worked in a small partnership before opening her own law firm, gaining practical experience as a small business owner.

Throughout the 1990s, Alison worked as a technical advisor on constitutional and legal reform issues in Africa for the European Union, the Commonwealth Secretariat and both the Canadian and Australian governments. Her work in Africa focused on human rights litigation, education programs and policy reform initiatives.

In 2005, Alison was appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations as one of four International Election Commissioners to administer Afghanistan’s first parliamentary elections. She also served as an advisor to the Privy Council Office on Canada’s future involvement in Afghanistan.

Over the course of her career, Alison has also undertaken assignments in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Namibia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and the Philippines.

Before seeking elected office in Alberta, she managed a judicial training and legal reform project for the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme People’s Court in Vietnam.

Alison Redford was first elected MLA for the constituency of Calgary-Elbow on March 3, 2008 and named Minister of Justice and Attorney General on March 12, 2008. In this role, she led the Safe Communities Secretariat. In January 2010, she was also named political minister for Calgary.

As Premier, Alison Redford seeks to improve quality of life for all Albertans, while working to build a province that is prosperous, fair and inclusive.

Honourable Dave Quest, MLA for Strathcona-Sherwood Park

Dear God, we would like to thank You for the Honourable Dave Quest.  We thank You for his place in our Alberta government and the important role he has in making decisions for his region of Strathcona – Sherwood Park.  Lord grant him wisdom and power.  We pray that he would know Your kindness and love on him and his family.   In Your Name, Amen.

Associate Minister of Seniors

Dave Quest was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Strathcona-Sherwood Park on April 23, 2012. On December 13, 2013 he was sworn-in as Associate Minister of Seniors.

In addition to his regular duties as an MLA, Mr. Quest previously served as a member of the following councils and committees:

• Standing Committee on Families and Communities (Chair)
• Legislative Review Committee
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Deputy Chair)
• Special Standing Committee on Members´ Services
• Ports-to-Plains Alliance (PTP) Board of Directors (Alberta Government Representative)
• Council of State Governments-WEST (CSG-WEST)
• Northlands Board of Directors
• Cabinet Policy Committee on Finance (Chair)
• Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund (Chair)
• Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future
• Standing Committee on Legislative Offices
• Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Select Special Information and Privacy Commissioner Search Committee
• Seniors Advisory Council (Chair)
• Cabinet Policy Committee for Health
• Standing Committee on Private Bills
• Standing Committee on Health
• Select Special Auditor General Search Committee
• Select Special Ombudsman Search Committee

Additionally, he carried Bill 12, Body Armour Control Act, 2010; Bill 46, the Gunshot and Stab Wound Mandatory Disclosure Act, 2009; and Bill 60, the Health Professions Amendment Act, 2009; and most recently Bill 201, Scrap Metal Dealers and Recyclers Identification Act, through the legislative process.

Prior to serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Mr. Quest was the President of a rural General Motors dealership and a shareholder of an urban one.

Mr. Quest obtained a business diploma from NAIT in 1985 and served with the Better Business Bureau of Northern Alberta for 10 years, fulfilling various roles, including director, chair and director of the Canadian council. As well, he has been awarded a General Motors Dealer Award of Excellence.

Mr. Quest has been an active member of his community for nearly 25 years. During this time he fulfilled a variety of roles, including:

• Regional director for Elk Island on the provincial executive from 1998-2008
• Involvement with Friends of the Games Fundraising Committee for the 2007 Western Canada Summer Games
• Coaching Sherwood Park minor soccer teams from 2002 to 2006

Mr. Quest also has his private pilot´s licence and has completed six Edmonton half-marathons.

He and his wife, Fiona, live in Sherwood Park with their son Jack and two dogs

MLA Mr. Sohail Quadri for Edmonton-Mill Woods

Dear Heavenly Father.  We pray for Mr. Sohail Quadri fo Edmonton Millwoods asking for Your blessing upon his leadership, that You would guide him to make good decisions for the people in his constituency.  We pray for his well-being and that You keep him and his family healthy and strong in every area of life.  Lord we ask that You would help him excel in his work and be an inspiration to his colleagues.  We pray finally that You would bless the people of Edmonton – Millwoods helping them to live in a way that is honoring to our province and nation.   In Jesus Name we pray, Amen.

Sohail Quadri was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Mill Woods on April 23, 2012. In addition to his various responsibilities as an MLA he presently serves on the following committees:

• Select Special Ethics Commissioner Search Committee (deputy chair)
• Standing Committee on Alberta´s Economic Future
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts
• Standing Committee on Legislative Offices
• Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Private Members´ Business Committee
• Montana-Alberta Bilateral Advisory Council
• Results Based Budgeting – Economic Development Challenge Panel

Previously he served as deputy chair of the Select Special Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee

With a bachelor's degree in commerce, Mr. Quadri found success as a local entrepreneur and small-business owner for several years before deciding to dedicate his time between politics and volunteering.

An advocate of many cultural and social events in the capital region, Mr. Quadri devotes a large portion of his time to volunteering. He is an active member of the Lions Club and was a founding member of the Millwoods Cricket Club. He sat on the board of directors for the Society to Defy Enmity Encourage Peace and the board of directors of the South Asian Long Term Care Foundation. In addition, he is known for his extensive fundraising in support of various humanitarian and relief efforts locally and abroad.

Mr. Quadri is an innate family man. He is very close to his extended family his three brothers, one sister, nieces and nephews.

MLA Mr. Blake Pedersen for Medicine Hat

Dear Lord, we pray for safety and wisdom for MLA Mr. Blake Pederson.   We pray that he and his family stays healthy and well.  Give him guidance on how to give leadership in his very important role in our province.  Fill him with joy and happiness as he serves the people of Medicine Hat.

Blake Pedersen was first elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Medicine Hat on April 23, 2012. Blake also serves as the Official Opposition Critic for Culture.

Blake was born and raised in Gull Lake, Saskatchewan on the family ranch. Following graduation from Gull Lake High School, Blake moved to Vancouver as a drummer with a band, but returned to Gull Lake a few months later and entered the work force with a local oilfield services company.

Experiencing his first of many boom and bust cycles, after one year of employment Blake participated in a 10-month Agricultural Exchange Program to Australia with the International Agricultural Exchange Association. Upon his return to Canada, Blake returned to the oilfield services industry, and in 1999 became a small-business owner.

Blake and Angela have called Medicine Hat home for the past 17 years. Both have a passion for travel and through visiting other countries and experiencing different cultures, they know and appreciate how fortunate all Canadians are for where we live and the opportunities afforded to each Albertan on a daily basis.

MLA Ms. Bridget A. Pastoor for Lethbridge-East

We pray for MLA Ms. Bridget Pastoor and her job in the legislature.   We pray that she would be reminded that when things are stressful and difficult that You are with her.   We ask that You would guide her decisions as they are important to the constituents of Lethbridge – East and that she would know that she is doing important work for the province.   Bless her and her family and give her a good day.   Amen.

Bridget A. Pastoor was elected to her third term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Lethbridge-East on April 23, 2012. In addition to her duties as an MLA during her second terBridget Brennan Pastoor was elected to her third term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Lethbridge-East on April 23, 2012. She was appointed to the Standing Committee on Private Bills and the Standing Committee on Public Accounts on May 24, 2012. She was appointed chair of the Standing Committee on Families and Communities on May 28, 2012.

In addition to her duties as an MLA during her second term, Ms. Pastoor also served as a member of the following committees:

• Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Standing Committee on Public Health and Safety (deputy chair)
• Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services

Ms. Pastoor previously served in the Official Opposition in various positions, including the Deputy Leader and Whip of the Official Opposition. Ms. Pastoor was shadow minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Municipal Affairs and Seniors and Community Supports.

Ms. Pastoor has also served on the following committees:

• Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Special Standing Committee on Members´ Services
• Standing Policy Field Committee on Public Health and Safety (Deputy Chair)
• Standing Committee on Private Bills
• Standing Committee on Families and Communities

During her first term she served as a member of the Members’ Services Committee, the Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing Committee and the Standing Committee on Government Services. She also participated as a Member of a three-person MLA task force on Continuing Care Health Services and Accommodation Standards and authored an adjunct report, Blueprint for Action.

Ms. Pastoor began her career with Air Canada. After raising three children, she returned to school and graduated from Lethbridge Community College as a registered nurse and later obtained a certificate as a geriatric specialist from Grant MacEwan. Ms. Pastoor worked as an RN at the Edith Cavell care centre from 1990 to 2004.

She has been an active member of the community and political arena for many years:

• Served as deputy returning officer for Elections Canada, Elections Alberta and the City of Lethbridge
• Member, Canadian Pension Appeals Board, from 1993 to 1997
• Alderwoman, Lethbridge city council, from 1998 to 2004
• Board member, Federation of Canadian Municipalities, from 1999 to 2002
• Chair, Council/Corporate Review of the city of Lethbridge, from 2001 to 2004

As a city alderwoman she was also a member of the library board, the exhibition board and the municipal planning commission. Further, she was a member of the University of Lethbridge senate from 1985 to 1991, the Alberta Student Finance Board and the Canada Pension Appeals Board tribunal.

Ms. Pastoor was awarded a Government of Canada Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Confederation, in 1992 and the Government of Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005. In 2009 she was awarded the YWCA of Lethbridge and District Women of Distinction Award- YWCA Champion.

Born Bridget Antoinette Brennan in St. Boniface, Manitoba, she has three daughters, Florence, Shelagh and Bridget and two grandchildren, Kerstin and Skye.

Her interests include social justice and political history.

Honourable Verlyn Olson, QC; Wetaskiwin-Camrose

Dear God, we thank You for Hon.Verlyn Olson.  We pray that You would keep him in good health and ask that You would also be with him for all that he is called to do for our province.  We pray that You would help him to continue to make good choices and guide him in the important work he does each day.   Amen.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Verlyn Olson, QC, was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Wetaskiwin-Camrose on April 23, 2012. On May 8, 2012 he was named Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. Mr. Olson serves as Deputy House Leader.

During his first term as MLA, Mr. Olson served as Minister of Justice and Attorney General. He also served as deputy chair on the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities; chair of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Workforce Planning Committee and as a member of the Cabinet Policy Committee on Public Health & Safety.

Previously, Mr. Olson served on the Standing Committees on Public Accounts, Private Bills and Health.

Prior to serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Mr. Olson was a partner with the law firm Andreassen Olson Borth, where his practice focused primarily on real estate, wills, estates and counselling small businesses, assisting farmers, families, seniors and dependent adults.

Additionally, since 1987 Mr. Olson has spoken at various seminars covering topics such as farm estate planning, wills and enduring powers of attorney.

Mr. Olson received both his bachelor of arts in history with distinction and a bachelor of laws from the University of Alberta.

Born and raised in Camrose, Mr. Olson has a long history of community involvement, including coaching local baseball and hockey and membership with the following organizations:

• Viking Cup International Hockey Tournament Steering Committee
• The Bethany Group (Health Care/Seniors Housing Board)
• Alberta Motion Picture Development Corporation Board
• Camrose Sport Development Society
• Armena Athletic Association (chair)
• Camrose Lutheran College Corporation (Augustana University College) Board of Regents

He and his wife, Mardell, have three adult children and two grandchildren.

MLA Cathy Olesen; Sherwood Park

Father in Heaven, we are so grateful that You have brought MLA Ms. Cathy Olesen representing Sherwood Park to her position in the legislative Assembly.  Thank You for her strong confident leadership and it’s our prayer that she knows Your presence as she attends to the many things before her today.   Bless her and her family members today.   Amen.

Cathy Olesen was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Sherwood Park on April 23, 2012. She is the Chair of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing, a member of the Standing Committee on Private Bills and the Standing Committee on Alberta´s Economic Future and serves on the board of directors for Climate Change Central. Ms. Olesen is also currently a member of the results-based budgeting challenge panel for municipalities and regional planning, and more recently she was appointed to the MLA implementation team working on the review and implementation of the retail market review recommendations to strengthen Alberta´s retail electricity market.

Amongst western Canada´s earliest pioneers, Ms. Olesen´s McPhail ancestors came to what was then the Hudson´s Bay land grant, known as Rupert´s Land, to work in the fur trade well before Confederation.

Ms. Olesen was born in Winnipeg. She attended the University of Manitoba, receiving a bachelor of arts in political science and economics in 1981. The following year Ms. Olesen moved to Alberta, where she worked in environmental planning with the Energy Resources Conservation Board for five years. She was also a stay-at-home mother for seven years. During this time she also cultivated her painting and volunteer work and was appointed as a public member of the Strathcona Subdivision and Development Appeal Board in 1992.

Ms. Olesen served as Strathcona county councillor in 1995 in urban and rural ward 4. First-term accomplishments included the establishment of Alberta´s Industrial Heartland Association, a co-operative association of four municipalities united to promote industrial development and stimulus within the capital region.

Ms. Olesen repeated her success in 1998, when through a plebiscite she championed the building of Millenium Place, the first recreational complex of its size in western Canada. Ms. Olesen was acclaimed councillor in 2001.

Ms. Olesen contested the mayor´s chair in 2004 and was re-elected in 2007. During Ms. Olesen´s six years as mayor, from 2004 to 2010, Strathcona county attracted substantial industrial and residential development: a new seniors´ lodge, miles of trails, the Ardrossan arena expansion, the new county library complex, the redevelopment of Broadmoor Arena and Clubhouse and the approval of the new Bethel fire station and training facility.

In addition to her role as mayor, Ms. Olesen has served on a wide range of boards and associations. She has served as vice-chair of the Capital Region Board, vice-chair of Alberta´s Industrial Heartland Association, director with the Capital Region Wastewater Commission, director of the Telus Community Board and president of the Trans Canada Yellowhead Highway Association. She is also a member of the Alberta Arbitration and Mediation Society.

Ms. Olesen is married to Rex Adam, and together they are proud parents of four accomplished adults.