MLA Sohail Quadri Edmonton-Mill Woods

We ask for your wisdom for Sohail Quadri as he meets with his constituents of Edmonton-Millwoods.  I pray for good health and many wonderful times with his extended family.  Thank you Heavenly Father that you lead and guide him as he serves in the Legislature.  I pray in the name of Jesus.

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
• Select Special Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee
• 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.

May 2, 2013

MLA Blake Pederson, Medicine Hat

We pray today for Blake Pedersen, MLA for Medicine Hat, for good health, strength and wisdom to govern as you have called him to do Heavenly Father.  May there be much joy as he serves.  I pray for him and his wife for your protection upon them.  May they continue to enjoy traveling to many countries.   These things I pray in the name of Jesus.

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

We are thankful today for MLA Bridget Pastoor of the Lethbridge-East constituency--her many years of service given to Albertans in different capacities and now as an MLA.  Heavenly Father I pray you would bless her and keep her and make your face to shine upon her and her children and grandchildren.  I ask you for unusual wisdom as she serves in the Legislature in the name of Jesus, I pray.

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, Wetaskiwin-Camrose

I pray your blessings Heavenly Father upon Hon. Verlyn Olson, his wife, children and grandchildren.  I ask for your protection for their family.  I ask for new opportunities to share the wisdom he has gained over the years of community and political involvement, I ask in the name of Jesus.

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

Thank you Father in Heaven for Cathy Olesen and the years of service to Sherwood Park in many capacities and now as MLA.  I pray you will give her your grace and wisdom as she meets with constituents.  I ask you to bless her and her husband and children.  Fill her with a new passion as she serves, I ask in Jesus name.

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.

July 11, 2013

Honourable Frank Oberle, Peace River

Thank you for the Hon. Frank Oberle’s service to Peace River area and for his love of the outdoors.  I pray for wisdom and joy as he serves in the Legislature.  Bless his wife and family and I pray for many special times together for them, in Jesus name.

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

Heavenly Father I pray your blessing on Rachel Notley as she serves in Edmonton-Strathcona.  I pray for a new joy for her as she serves her constituents and fellow Albertans.  Give her your insights on how to solve the problems she sees in her position I pray in Jesus name.

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

Heavenly Father I thank you for the Hon. Diana McQueen.  As she serves in the constituency of Drayton Valley-Devon may she be given your wisdom to meet the diverse needs of this particular area of Alberta.  I pray for strength as she works and in her times of leisure refresh her, I pray in Jesus name.

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 (ESRD).

Mrs. McQueen´s work this term has focused on integrated resource management. Under her leadership, ESRD has taken decisive action on a number of issues important to Albertans in 2012, including:

• Implementing Alberta´s first regional plan under the Land-use Framework, the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan;
• Partnering with the federal government to begin implementation of a new comprehensive environmental monitoring program in the oil sands region;
• Working to strengthen Alberta´s relationship with Asia to facilitate trade of forest products and share best practices and learnings; and,
• Spearheading the creation of a single regulatory system for all oil and gas developments in Alberta.

Prior to her election, Mrs. McQueen served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and the Minister of Environment. Outside the legislature, she is active in her community, and has served as a school board chair and trustee, and as the mayor of Drayton Valley.

April 17, 2013

Honourable Ric McIver, Calgary-Hays

Dear Lord, we remember the Honourable Ric McIver in prayer today. We ask that you will provide him ongoing strength, wisdom and insight into representing the needs of his riding of Calgary –Hays effectively. With the additional responsibilities placed upon he and his constituents due to the recent flooding in Calgary, would you grant he and they the endurance, patience and clarity to resolve the many challenges expeditiously. As well, in his role as Minister of Transportation, empower him to successful tackle the important matters of his ministerial portfolio. Lastly, may you bless he and his family with strength and well being as he applies himself to the many demands upon him. Give him ongoing peace and joy in his work and personhood. In Jesus’ Name, 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

Heavenly Lord, we bring Mr. McDonald to you in prayer. We thank you for his concerted and devoted efforts as he serves his riding of Grande Prairie –Smoky. Thank you for his desire to represent the citizens of Alberta with concern, care, skill, passion and integrity. Provide him all that he requires to effectively lead in his role as an elected provincial official. May you grant him health, strength and well being to do his work with all earnestness. As well, provide his family blessings from God that will continue to strengthen them as they graciously allow him the opportunity to give to others. In Jesus’ Name, 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
• Select Special Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee

Mr. McDonald was recently appointed as chair of the MLA implementation team working on the review and implementation of the retail market review recommendations to strengthen Alberta´s retail electricity market.

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.

May 23, 2013

MLA Bruce McAllister, Chestermere-Rocky View

Dear Lord, we uplift Mr.McAllister to you in prayer. As he serves his riding of Chestermere-Rocky View, we ask that you assist him in every detail of his important work. May you provide him with ongoing compassion for those he leads, wisdom and insight into the many matters he must deal with and courage to move important actions forward. Bless him with strength and well being as he gives of himself in service to others. Watch over his family and may they know your full care on their lives. In Jesus’ Name, 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

Dear God, we pray for Mr. Mason as he represents the people of his riding, Edmonton –Highlands – Norwood. Thank you for his many dedicated years of public service. May you continue to bless him with passion, integrity, skill and wisdom in addressing the needs of his constituents and the Province of Alberta as a whole. As he serves in the important role as a party leader, grant him ongoing strength and well being as he carries out the many tasks placed on him. Lastly, thank you for his family and bless them in the days ahead. 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