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