MLA Sohail Quadri, Edmonton-Mill Woods

Dear Lord, thank you for MLA Sohail Quadri. Please help him to make the best decisions possible. Please keep him and his family safe. Thank you for his heart for volunteer work. 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:

• Standing Committee on Alberta´s Economic Future
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts
• Standing Committee on Legislative Offices
• Private Members´ Business Committee
• Montana-Alberta Bilateral Advisory Council
• Results Based Budgeting – Economic Development Challenge Panel

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.

March 20, 2013

MLA Blake Pedersen, Medicine Hat

Dear Jesus, we pray for MLA Blake Pederson that you would guide him in his work as he represents the community of Medicine Hat. We also pray you would bless his family and that in the busyness of their schedule they would have the time they need for each other. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

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.

July 13, 2012

MLA Bridget A. Pastoor, Lethbridge-East

Dear Lord, we want to say a special prayer for MLA Bridget Pastoor. Thank you for the place of service she holds as she represents many families in Alberta. We pray that you will give her strength to continue in her service and place of authority as she leads the people around her. Bless and be with her family. 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.

March 27, 2013

Honourable Verlyn Olson, QC, Wetaskiwin-Camrose

Dear Lord, we pray for the Honourable Verlyn Olson that you would guide his thoughts as he seeks to make the best decisions possible. Thank you for his position in Camrose-Wetaskiwin and may his constituents appreciate and support him in his leadership. We pray that you would bless him and his family with peace and health. 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.

In addition to his role as MLA during his first term, he was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney General as well as Deputy Government House Leader on February 18, 2011. Mr. Olson also served as deputy chair on the Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities and 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.

May 14, 2012

MLA Cathy Olesen, Sherwood Park

Dear Lord, we want to pray today for MLA Cathy Oleson. We pray that you would help her as she makes decisions and plans for her constituents in Sherwood Park. May she have the strength she needs to do the tasks before her. We ask that she would be blessed with health and that you would keep her safe. In the name of the Lord, Amen.

Cathy Olesen was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Sherwood Park on April 23, 2012. She is a member of the Standing Committee on Private Bills and also a member of Climate Change Central’s board of directors. Previously she served as a member of the Standing Committee on Alberta´s Economic Future.

Ms. Olesen was born and raised in Winnipeg. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from the University of Manitoba.

Before entering politics, Ms. Olesen worked in environmental planning with the Energy Resources Conservation Board for five years. She was also a stay-at-home mother for seven years.

Ms. Olesen served as the mayor of Strathcona county from 2004 to 2010 and as a Strathcona county councillor from 1995 to 2004.

An active member of her community, Ms. Olesen has served on a wide range of boards and associations. She has served as vice-chair of the Capital Region Board and as vice-chair of Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association. She has also served as a director with the Capital Region Wastewater Commission, the Telus Community Board and the Community Planning Association of Alberta.

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

March 19, 2013

Honourable Frank Oberle, Peace River

Dear Lord, we ask you to bless the Honourable Frank Oberle in the many duties he fulfills. Please help him to lead well in our province and to make good decisions. We pray that you will guide his life and bless him in his work. We pray for his family that you will keep them healthy and that they will be aware of your presence. In Jesus’ holy name, Amen.

Associate Minister of Services for Persons with Disabilities

Frank Oberle was elected to his third term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Peace River on April 23, 2012. On May 8, 2012, he was named Associate Minister of Services for Persons with Disabilities (reporting to the Minister of Human Services).

During his second term, in addition to his role as MLA, Mr. Oberle served as Minister of Sustainable Resource Development.

Previously, he has also served as Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security, Chief Government Whip and on the following standing committees of the Legislative Assembly:

• Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Resources and Environment
• Private Bills Committee
• Public Accounts Committee

Mr. Oberle studied forest resource technology at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George in 1980 and obtained his bachelor of science in forestry from the University of New Brunswick in 1988. Mr. Oberle won the Governor General’s award (gold medal) in forestry in 1988, the highest university achievement.

From 1988 to 2004, Mr. Oberle worked for Daishowa-Marubeni International Ltd., first as a management forester and then as senior forestry advisor. He is a registered professional forester (RPF) with the College of Professional Foresters (CAPF).

Mr. Oberle is no stranger to the political arena. His father, Frank Oberle Sr., was a Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River from 1973 to 1993 and held portfolios including Minister of Forestry and Minister of State for Science and Technology.

Mr. Oberle is an active member of the community and has been involved with many boards and organizations:

• Métis Harvesting Committee
• Co-chair Alberta Forest Research Institute (AFRI) from 2004 to 2006
• Parent council, Good Shepherd school
• Economic Development Board chair for Peace River in 2000
• RCMP Community Advisory Board from 2001 to 2004
• Peace River town council from 2001 to 2004
• Member of the East Peace Regional Landfill Board from 2001 to 2004

He and his wife, Debbie, have two children and in his spare time he enjoys fishing, woodworking and river boating.

May 14, 2012

MLA Rachel Notley, Edmonton-Strathcona

God, we thank you for MLA Rachel Notley. We pray for her that you will give her the strength and energy to do what she needs to do. We also pray that she may have clarity of thought to take on the everyday challenges for making decisions for both her family and job. May her heart be filled with love, peace and courage. Amen

Ms. Notley was elected to her second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Strathcona on April 23, 2012.

She currently serves on the following committees:

• Standing Committee on Private Bills
• Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Standing Committee on Families and Communities
• Select Special Conflicts of Interest Act Review Committee

Previously, Ms. Notley has served on the following committees:

• Select Special Information and Privacy Commissioner Search
• Standing Committee on Legislative Offices
• Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Standing Committee on Health and Safety
• Standing Committee on Education
• Standing Committee on Public Safety and Services
• Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund
• Select Special Auditor General Search Committee
• Ethics Commissioner Search Committee

Ms. Notley holds a bachelor of arts degree with honours in political science from the University of Alberta and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto.

Prior to serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, Ms. Notley was an Edmonton-based labour lawyer working as a labour relations officer for the United Nurses of Alberta. During her career, she worked in British Columbia as an occupational health and safety specialist, injured workers’ advocate and as a ministerial assistant to the Attorney General.

Active in her community, Ms. Notley is a member of the Strathcona Community League Civics Committee. She has also been active with Friends of Medicare in Edmonton and with Moms on the Move in Vancouver, an organization that advocates for the rights of special-needs children. She is also a past board member of Vancouver Community College.

Ms. Notley lives in Strathcona with her husband, Lou, and their two children.

March 18, 2013

Honourable Diana McQueen, Drayton Valley-Devon

Dear Lord Jesus, we thank you for the Honourable Diana McQueen and her work here in the government of Alberta. We pray that you’ll give her wisdom in her work and clarity in her decisions. Lord, please bless her and her family and may they have the time they need to be together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development

Diana McQueen was elected to her second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Drayton Valley-Devon on April 23, 2012. On May 8, 2012, she was sworn in as Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development.

Previously, Mrs. McQueen served as Minister of Environment and Water, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and the Minister of Environment and as a co-chair for Climate Change Central, a non-profit organization that encourages Albertans to take action on climate change through consumer rebate programs, demonstration projects and educational outreach. She has also served as a member of the Standing Committee on Resources and the Environment and the Standing Committee on Private Bills.

Mrs. McQueen’s varied experience prior to serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta includes working for Amoco Canada, managing a retail business and providing board development instruction with the provincial board development program.

Mrs. McQueen is also active in her community and has served as a school board chair and trustee, and as the mayor of Drayton Valley.

May 14, 2012

Honourable Ric McIver, Calgary-Hays

Dear Heavenly Father, please watch over and surround the Honourable Ric McIver as he makes decisions and plans that will help bring about changes in our province. Lord, we pray that he will be guided by you and honour you. Give his family health and bless them. In your name Lord, Amen.

Minister of Transportation

Ric McIver was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Hays on April 23, 2012. On May 8, 2012, he was sworn in as Minister of Transportation and was named a member of the Treasury Board committee. He is the first Minister of Transportation for Alberta to be selected from one of its major cities.

Ric previously served the residents of Calgary-Hays as the alderman on Calgary city council for ward 12 from 2001 to 2010, a span of three terms. In that time he served on the board of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, the Calgary Police Commission and the Metropolitan Calgary Foundation. He also served as chair of the Calgary Housing Company.

Ric became an Albertan on July 26, 1981. He has worked in the food industry in many different roles, including national sales manager and sales and marketing manager of different organizations. He has also owned and operated a food distribution and marketing wholesale business.

Ric is married to Christine, the founder and CEO of the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta. Between them they have four children and two grandchildren, all living in Calgary.

 

October 4, 2012

MLA Everett McDonald, Grande Prairie-Smoky

God, thank you for MLA Everett McDonald and the blessing he is to the people he represents in his work. Lord, bless him and his family. Give him wisdom and strength in the decisions he makes for the future of this province. Thank you for his faithful service and his servants’ heart, so important for an MLA to have. Let his efforts be appreciated and let your love and presence be known to him and loved ones. Guide him in all he does. In your name we pray, Amen.

Everett McDonald was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Grande Prairie-Smoky on April 23, 2012.

In addition to his duties as an MLA, he also serves on the following committees:

• Standing Committee on Legislative Offices (deputy chair)
• Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future
• Special Standing Committee on Members’ Service
• Select Special Conflicts of Interest Act Review Committee

He previously served as a member of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing.

Mr. McDonald was born and raised in Grande Prairie and is a third-generation farmer; he has been farming in the same district of the county that his grandfather homesteaded in 1911.

First elected to the County of Grande Prairie No. 1 Council in 1992, Mr. McDonald served in various capacities during his tenure, including as chair of numerous commissions and boards and as deputy reeve. He then served as reeve from 2004 until his election to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Mr. McDonald was the chairman of the Crystal Creek Conservation Society and also represented the county on various provincial committees, including the Alberta Growth Summit and the provincial Mountain Pine Beetle Advisory Committee. In addition, he was also a founding board member of Aquatera, a municipally owned utility corporation, the first of its kind in the province.

Golf, fishing, hockey and curling are some of Mr. McDonald’s favourite pastimes. He and his wife, Tina, have four children and are also the proud grandparents of two grandsons.

March 18, 2013

MLA Bruce McAllister, Chestermere-Rocky View

Dear God, we thank you for blessing us with MLA Bruce McAllister. We pray that you would help him with the many pressures and stresses that come with being in government. Thank you for his service to the people of Alberta. We pray that you would watch over him and his family. Amen

Bruce McAllister was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Chestermere-Rocky View on April 23, 2012. He is the Official Opposition Education and Advanced Education critic.

In addition to his duties as an MLA Mr. McAllister serves on the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing.

He previously served on the Standing Committee on Families and Communities.

Mr. McAllister was born Fredericton, New Brunswick, and has called Alberta home for the majority of his life. After completing a diploma in broadcast journalism from Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario, he began a 20-year career in journalism that took him to Halifax, Winnipeg, Medicine Hat and Calgary. Most recently Mr. McAllister anchored Global TV Calgary’s morning show.

An active member of his community, Mr. McAllister has worked as a spokesperson and master of ceremonies in support of countless community causes. Sports, literacy and seniors’ events are especially important to him.

Mr. McAllister lives in Chestermere with his wife, Lisa, and their three children. He enjoys spending time with his family as well as playing hockey, golf and reading.

March 18, 2013

MLA Brian Mason, Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood

God, we thank you for the position of authority that you have given MLA Brian Mason. Thank you that you give him strength of character, integrity and understanding in the very complex days he has and will be facing in the future. We just lift him up in our prayers that he would be encouraged and strengthened for the future and much more to come. We pray that he will be open minded and know the right decisions for our society. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

ND Opposition Leader

Brian Mason was first elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood in a 2000 by-election. He was re-elected in the provincial general election of March 12, 2001, and was subsequently appointed House Leader of the New Democrat caucus and critic responsible for human resources, finance and agriculture.

Mr. Mason was appointed to the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services on May 28, 2012.

On September 18, 2004, Mr. Mason became leader of the New Democrats. Mr. Mason was elected to his third term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood on November 22, 2004, his fourth term on March 3, 2008, and his fifth term on April 23, 2012.

Previously, he has served as a member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the Members’ Service Committee, the Standing Committee on Resources and Environment, Standing Committee on Government Services and the Standing Committee on the Economy.

Before his election to the Alberta Legislature, Mr. Mason served as city of Edmonton councillor for ward 3. He was first elected in October 1989 and won three subsequent civic elections. As a member of city council for 11 years Mr. Mason gained a reputation as a tough and effective voice for his constituents. During this time Mr. Mason chaired the non-profit Housing Board and served on the Taxi Commission, Library board and Northlands board.

Following his political science studies at the University of Alberta, he became politically active, serving as the executive director of the Alberta Federation of Students from 1977 to 1979.

Mr. Mason has lived in Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood for over 20 years with his wife, Karin, and their two sons, Peter and Alex.

June 6, 2012

Honourable Thomas Lukaszuk, Edmonton-Castle Downs

Dear Heavenly Father, we pray in your name that your guiding hand will be over the Honourable Thomas Lukaszuk. May you be with him in his role in the Alberta legislature. Bless the decisions he makes as a leader in our province. Lord, be with Mr. Lukaszuk and his family. In your name we pray, Amen.

Deputy Premier

Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education

Thomas Lukaszuk was elected to his fourth term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Edmonton-Castle Downs on April 23, 2012. On May 8, 2012, he was sworn in as Deputy Premier and on February 4, 2013, he assumed additional responsibilities as Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education.

In addition to the above responsibilities, Mr. Lukaszuk serves as chair of the government´s Operations and Policy Cabinet Committee and the Public Sector Resources Committee. He is also the executive vice-chair of the Alberta Economic Development Authority and Ministerial Liaison to the Canadian Forces.

Previously Mr. Lukaszuk served as Minister of Education, Political Minister for Edmonton, Minister of Employment and Immigration and parliamentary assistant for Municipal Affairs.

Over the course of his elected service Mr. Lukaszuk has served on a wide range of legislative and government committees. The areas of work have ranged from accountability, access to information and ethics in government to support for low-income and disabled Albertans, tourism marketing and human rights.

In particular, he has been a member of:

• Standing Committee on Law and Regulations
• Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Standing Committee on Private Bills
• Standing Committee on Legislative Offices
• Standing Committee on Community Services
• Select Special Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act Review Committee
• Select Special Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee
• Select Special Health Information Act Review Committee
• Select Special Ethics Commissioner Search Committee
• Select Special Auditor General Search Committee
• Special Standing Committee on Members´ Services
• Standing Policy Committee on Health and Community Living
• MLA Committee to Review Low-income Programs, chair

MLA Stakeholder Consultation Committee on Key Design Features; Low-income Review Implementation, chair

• MLA Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) Review Committee, chair
• MLA Corrections Review Committee
• Select Special Conflicts of Interest Act Review Committee
• Provincial Offences Procedure Review Steering Committee, chair
• Strategic Tourism Marketing Council
• Alberta Foreign Offices Review Committee
• Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Education Fund Advisory Committee, chair
• Northlands Park Board
• Task Force on the Teachers´ Unfunded Pension Liability
• Edmonton Salutes Committee
• Government of Alberta Liaison to Consular Corps

Born April 5, 1969, in Poland and raised in north Edmonton, Mr. Lukaszuk graduated with a bachelor´s degree in education from the University of Alberta and taught in Edmonton schools before starting Injured Workers Advocates Inc. (IWA), a firm designed to assist injured workers with work-related injury claims. Before becoming an MLA, he served on the Social Care Facilities Review Committee, the Citizens´ Appeal Panel (chair), and the Alberta Lotteries Review Committee. He conducted reviews of Alberta daycares, foster homes, group homes and homeless shelters.

Mr. Lukaszuk has a history of involvement with community groups. He coached soccer through the Edmonton Northwood Community League, has been a Scout leader and is a strong supporter of ABC Head Start. He is a past president of the Youth Friendship Society and a Knight of Columbus. He has been decorated with the Order of St. John investiture, the Queen´s Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Queen´s Golden Jubilee Medal for his community service and the Alberta Centennial Medal for his contributions to the province.

In his free time Mr. Lukaszuk enjoys travelling, reading and spending time with his young family.

February 25, 2013