Dr. Neil Brown, QC - MLA for Calgary-Mackay-Nose Hill

Dear God, we join together today to pray for Dr. Neil Brown.  We pray that he would have the strength he needs to carry out his various tasks and duties in the legislature.   We also pray that You would provide the people today to assist him in the work that needs to be accomplished and unity of heart and mind as they make decisions.   This we pray in Jesus Name, Amen.

Dr. Neil Brown, QC, was elected to his third term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Calgary-Mackay-Nose Hill on April 23, 2012.

Committees Served on

Current Assignments

• Standing Committee on Families and Communities
• Standing Committee on Legislative Offices
• Standing Committee on Private Bills
• Member of the board of the Canadian Energy Research Institute
• Health – Primary Care & Health Benefits Panel

Past Assignments

• Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship
• Chair, Standing Committee on Private Bills
• Agenda and Priorities Committee
• Standing Committee on Education
• Private Members Business Committee
• Regulatory Review Secretariat
• Cabinet Policy Committee on Education
• Chair, Cabinet Policy Committee on Public Safety and Services (responsible for reviewing policy changes and proposed legislation in departments of Justice and Attorney General; Solicitor General, Aboriginal Affairs, Service Alberta, Treasury Board, and Executive Council.)
• Standing Committee on Public Safety and Services: all party committee which examines policy and legislation
• Chair , Legislative Review Committees: Member Agenda and Priorities Committee (2006-2008)
• Chair, Select Special Committee on Conflicts of Interest Act Review
• Chair , Alberta Forestry Research Institute
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts
• MLA AISH Review Committee
• Chair, Protection of Persons in Care Review
• Standing Committee on Government Services
• Cabinet Policy Committee on Resources and Environment
• MLA Métis Harvesting Committee
• Forestry Industry Sustainability Committee
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Dr. Brown began his career as an assistant professor of biology at Trent University. He then went on to practise law with McLaws and Company (later Parlee McLaws), focusing mainly on civil litigation and oil and gas matters. In 1987 he went into private practice, specializing in civil litigation, administrative, oil and gas and environmental law. Dr. Brown received his bachelor´s of science in biology from the University of Calgary in 1971, his master´s of science in zoology from the University of Alaska in 1974, his Ph.D. in biology from McGill University in 1977 and his bachelor of laws from the University of Calgary in 1982.

Dr. Brown is an active member of the Law Society of Alberta. Since being elected to serve as an MLA, Dr. Brown has successfully sponsored 15 government bills.

Since being elected to serve as an MLA, Dr. Brown has successfully sponsored 15 government bills.

His contribution to the public sector includes:

• Service on the Board of Governors and Senate of the University of Calgary
• Past president of the Alumni Association of the University of Calgary
• Member, Student Legal Aid, the University of Calgary
• Vice-president and chair of his community association
• Associate (voting) member, Royal Canadian Legion for over 30 years
• Director, Midnapore Church of England Society (historic site)
• Lecturer, Historic Calgary Week of Chinook Country Historical Society
• Volunteer canvasser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Alberta Lung Association, the Canadian Cancer Society and the Kidney Foundation

Dr. Brown has received a number of awards and honours, including:

• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal
• Canada 125 medal for Service to Community and Canada in 1992
• Alberta Centennial medal for outstanding service to Alberta 2005
• National Sciences and Engineering Research Council grant (1978-79)
• National Research Council of Canada Scholar (1974-77)
• Award of Merit Honoree, Alumni Association of the University of Calgary (1992)
• Chief Justice McGillivray Shield, University of Calgary Faculty of Law (1980 and 1981)
• President’s Citation, University of Calgary Students’ Union (1989-90)

Dr. Brown enjoys outdoor pursuits, including canoeing, fishing, hunting as well as creative writing, travelling and reading.

Ms. Laurie Blakeman - MLA for Edmonton-Centre

Father in Heaven, we thank You for MLA Ms. Laurie Blakeman and ask that You would renew her vision and strength for the work You have called her to do.  Grant her favor with those she works with each day as well as in the constituency of Edmonton – Centre.   We pray that You will continue to give MLA Laurie Blakeman Your discernment and wisdom.   In Your Name, Amen.

Laurie Blakeman was first elected as Edmonton-Centre MLA in 1997 and is now in her fifth term. She currently serves as Alberta Liberal House Leader in the Alberta Legislature.

She currently serves on the following committees:

• Standing Committee on Legislative Offices
• Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship
• Select Special Ethics Commissioner Search Committee

In addition, Ms. Blakeman served as deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Energy and was a member of the following committees:

• Standing Committee on Community Development
• Select Special Information and Privacy Commissioner Search
• Select Special Conflicts of Interest Act Review Committee
• Select Special Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee

Ms. Blakeman has served as critic for eight other portfolios, including Health and Wellness.

Ms. Blakeman has a bachelor of fine arts degree in acting and a certificate in public administration, both from the University of Alberta. Before serving in the provincial Legislature, she enjoyed a successful career in the theatre both as a performer and an administrator with Phoenix Theatre, Theatre Network, and Celebration of Women in the Arts.

Ms. Blakeman is a former executive director of the Alberta Advisory Council on Women’s Issues and past president of Celebration of Women in the Arts as well as the founding member of the Edmonton National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. In 1999 she received a YWCA Woman of Distinction Award.

A long-time resident of Edmonton’s Rossdale neighbourhood, Ms. Blakeman is married to Ben Henderson, Edmonton city councillor for ward 8. They share their home with two large dogs and two cats.

Mr. Deron Bilous - MLA for Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview

Lord, we ask that You bless MLA Mr. Deron Bilous in his commitment and service to the Province.   We thank You that You are with him and strengthening him as he fulfills his duties.   We pray that as he and his colleagues help to form new policies that You would guide and direct them in this important work.  We ask that You would bless him and his family and keep them safe.  In Christ’s Name,  Amen.

Deron Bilous was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview on April 23, 2012. He was appointed to the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing on May 24, 2012. He was appointed to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship on May 28, 2012.

Mr. Bilous was born and raised in Edmonton and is very proud of his Ukrainian ancestry. He graduated from the University of Alberta with a bachelor of education degree in 2001. For the past five years he has taught and mentored students at Edmonton’s Inner City High School.

An active volunteer in his community, Mr. Bilous has been a member of the Beverly Heights Community League and vice-president of the Boyle Street Community League. From 2008 to 2011 he served as a board member on the Edmonton Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee.

Mr. Bilous also participated in the Canada World Youth program in 1995-96, working in Edmonton, Saint Jerome in Quebec and Tunisia.

Mr. Bilous lives in Beverly Heights. In his spare time he enjoys playing recreational hockey and other sports as well as traveling.

Mr. Gary Bikman - MLA for Cardston-Taber-Warner

Lord Jesus, we are grateful for MLA Mr. Gary Bikman for the experience he brings and the dedication to better his constituency of Cardston – Taber and Warner.   As he goes about his work today may he experience joy and peace in all the things he has to do.   We ask You Lord to cover him and his family with favor and blessing.  Amen.

Gary Bikman was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Cardston-Taber-Warner on April 23, 2012. He currently serves as a member of the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship and the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices. Previously he served as deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Alberta´s Economic Future.

Mr. Bikman was born and raised in southern Alberta. He holds a bachelor’s of science degree and a master’s in business administration degree from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

Mr. Bikman has extensive business experience, having successfully owned and managed an oilfield service company for 25 years. He cofounded and led ChopStix Restaurants from 2006 to 2010 and ChopStix International Franchising Inc. from 2010 to 2012. Mr. Bikman is also an experienced and dedicated educator, having been a sessional instructor at the University of Lethbridge’s faculty of management and at Lethbridge College.

An active member of his community, Mr. Bikman has frequently served as Stirling’s mayor, deputy mayor and councillor since 1980. He has also served intermittently as a member of the Chinook Arch Regional Library Board and as a scout leader in the village of Stirling.

Mr. Bikman and his first wife, Suzy, moved to Stirling in 1972. She died of cancer in 1989, leaving their nine children motherless.

He later met and married Sheila Cooper-Leavitt. Together with her four children their blended family totals 13, with over 30 grandchildren. They continue to reside in Stirling.

In his spare time he enjoys sports, yard work, leading self-employment workshops and teaching ethics and morality to teenagers. He is also an avid reader.

Honourable Manmeet S. Bhullar - MLA for Calgary-Greenway

Thank You Father God for Honourable Manmeet Bhullar and that You are with him as he fulfills his many duties.  We pray that You would continue to give him wisdom and guide him as he meets with other legislators and community leaders when he is in the community of Calgary – Greenway.  May he experience good health.   In Jesus Name, Amen.

Minister of Human Services

Manmeet Bhullar was elected to his second term as MLA for Calgary-Greenway on April 23, 2012. On December 13, 2013, Mr. Bhullar was sworn in as Minister Human Services. He previously served as Minister of Service Alberta.

Mr. Bhullar was formerly Political Minister-Calgary, Parliamentary Assistant for Advanced Education and Technology and Parliamentary Assistant for Municipal Affairs.

Mr. Bhullar serves as representative for Calgary-Greenway, but his community involvement began long before he was elected to office. He created a youth development organization with the hope to empower young people and encourage participation in positive acts of community service rather than turning to harmful activities. His community service has earned him many awards including the Alberta Centennial Medal, the Centennial Medallion, and the Athabasca University Leadership Award.

Formerly, Mr. Bhullar served as a member of the following standing committees of the Legislative Assembly

• Legislative Offices
• Community Services
• Members’ Services

Mr. Bhullar has also served as a member of the Select Special Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee. He was the representative for the Alberta government on the board for World Skills 2009.

Mr. Bhullar has also carried the following legislation during his time as MLA:

• Bill 7,the Post-secondary Learning Amendment Act, 2008
• Bill 30, the Alberta Evidence Amendment Act, 2008
• Bill 4, the Post-secondary Learning Amendment Act, 2009 – allowing Mount Royal and MacEwan Colleges to become Universities.
• Bill 6, the Emergency Management Amendment Act, 2010
• Motion 508, a motion encouraging innovation in education (27th Legislature, 2nd Session)

Honourable Naresh Bhardwaj - MLA for Edmonton-Ellerslie

Thank You God for the Honourable Mr. Naresh Bhardwaj and his work for the Province.  May You bless him and continue to give him strength and guidance as he serves on various committees and boards both within the community of Edmonton – Ellerslie and in our legislature.   May Mr. Bhardwaj and his family experience safety and good health.   In Jesus Name, Amen.

Associate Minister of Services for Persons with Disabilities

Mr. Bhardwaj was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Edmonton-Ellerslie on April 23, 2012. He was sworn-in as Associate Minister of Services for Persons with Disabilities on December 13, 2013.

In addition to his duties as an MLA, Mr. Bhardwaj was previously the chair of the capital region caucus. He also served on the following committees: the Legislative Review Committee, the Standing Committee on Private Bills, the Standing Committee on Alberta's Economic Future as well as the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing.

Mr. Bhardwaj moved to Alberta with his family in 1976. He became a journeyman automotive mechanic in 1983 before going back to school and graduating from the U of A with a double major. Naresh then spent the next 18 years working as a teacher in Pincher Creek, Whitecourt, Red Deer, Calgary and Edmonton, teaching predominantly automotives, mathematics and physical education.

Mr. Bhardwaj has been actively involved with Edmonton communities for over 36 years, serving on many associations, establishing Youth Link, a youth employment training program, and coaching soccer at the community league level and for Juventus U-18.

Mr. Bhardwaj was married in 1982 to his wife, Sunita, and has three children: Sarah, Stephen and Neeraj.

Mr. Drew Barnes - MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat

Dear Heavenly Father, we pray that You will bless Mr. Drew Barnes, MLA for Cypress – Medicine Hat and that he will have wisdom as he makes critical decisions.  Give him the ability to discern what is of real value and importance and what he should give attention to today.   May he experience Your peace as he goes about his daily work and be aware of Your love for him and his family.   Amen.

Drew Barnes was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Cypress-Medicine Hat on April 23, 2012.

Mr. Barnes was born in Moosomin, Saskatchewan, and moved to Medicine Hat with his family in 1974. Upon graduation from Medicine Hat high school, he continued his studies at Camrose Lutheran College and the University of Alberta. Upon completion of his bachelor of commerce degree from the U of A, he pursued an award-winning career in real estate.

Mr. Barnes owned and managed a successful real estate office in Medicine Hat during his 26-year career in real estate. A member of the Medicine Hat Real Estate Board from 1983 to 2009, he served as board president in 1991.

An entrepreneur and businessman, Mr. Barnes owns a number of businesses in Medicine Hat which include a construction company, a storage facility and a property management company. He also owns commercial and residential property all over southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan and has irrigation and ranchland, raising commercial beef and rodeo stock.

An active member of the community, Drew has been involved in many organizations in Medicine Hat and area. He has served as campaign chair and president of the United Way of Southeastern Alberta. A former president of the Kiwanis Club and Opportunity Capital Corporation, Drew enjoys working with others to forward a common cause. He was also a past member of the Kinsmen and Hockey Hounds. In his spare time Drew enjoys playing and coaching many sports, including golf, hockey, baseball and soccer, and watching his sons play football.

Mr. Joe Anglin - MLA for Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre

Father God we thank You for MLA Mr. Joe Anglin and his enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to his service to Albertans.   We pray that You would continue to give him Your discernment, strength and wisdom as he attends to important matters today.   May he and his family experience Your goodness in every area of life.  Amen.

Joe Anglin was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre on April 23, 2012. He currently serves as deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship and as a member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

Mr. Anglin served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam era before becoming a police officer. He then obtained a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in education. Mr. Anglin worked as a lineman for a public electric utility before going on to work for AT&T, the world’s largest corporation. He obtained a diploma in engineering and worked his way up into executive management. During his time with AT&T he taught fibre-optic transmission engineering at the Bell Labs training facilities in Chicago and served as the White House communications liaison for George Bush Sr. in Kennebunkport, Maine.

In the late 1990s Mr. Anglin became a unit leader for the Canadian Coast Guard’s fast-response search and rescue operations on the Pacific coast. In 2000, as the unit leader, Joe organized and led the Canadian national search and rescue team to victory in the World Marine Search and Rescue competitions.

Most recently Mr. Anglin was the founder and CEO of ASIG Inc., which operated as an international financial services firm. With offices located in Vancouver and Washington, ASIG specialized in trading derivatives, oil contracts, gas contracts and currencies.

An active member of his community, Mr. Anglin successfully organized and led the Lavesta Area Group, an association of southern Alberta landowners opposed to the construction of a 500KV electricity transmission line through their area, from 2006 to 2010. He served as chair of the Rimoka Housing Foundation from 2010 to 2012 and also served as a town councillor in Rimbey from 2010 until his election to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.

In 2007 the Edmonton Journal named Mr. Anglin one of the top 10 people who made a difference. In 2008 Alberta Venture named him one of Alberta’s 50 most influential people.

Mr. Anglin currently lives in Rimbey with his wife, Deborah, and their two children.

Mr. Rob Anderson - MLA for Airdrie

Thank You, Lord for MLA Mr. Rob Anderson  and for the service he provides to our people and province.   Lord, we ask You to bless him in the many duties he fulfills.  Give him wisdom and clarity in all his decisions that they will benefit the constituents of Airdrie.  May Your love fill him and his family members.  In Jesus Name,  Amen.

Rob Anderson was elected to his second term in Alberta’s Legislative Assembly as the Member for Airdrie on April 23, 2012.

He currently serves as chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and as a member of the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund.

In addition to his regular duties, he previously served on the following committees of the Legislative Assembly:

• Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship
• Standing Committee on Education
• Standing Committee on Finance
• Special Standing Committee on Members´ Services
• Standing Committee on Private Bills
• Standing Committee on Public Safety and Services

On January 4, 2010, Mr. Anderson joined the Wildrose Caucus.

Born in Edmonton on June 13, 1977, Mr. Anderson is the oldest of seven children. The family lived in Sherwood Park for most of his early years before moving in 1990 to Airdrie, which has been home ever since. During his youth he spent much of his time playing sports, particularly hockey and football. Two of his most memorable achievements are winning the Edmonton city championship as defensive captain for the Salisbury high school football team in Sherwood Park and being named the starting goaltender for the Brigham Young University Cougars hockey team. He also dedicated himself to earning his Boy Scouts of Canada chief scout award.

In 2003 Mr. Anderson graduated magna cum laude from Brigham Young University with a bachelor of arts in communications. Three years later he obtained a bachelor of laws from the University of Alberta, graduating with 'distinction' honours.

While at law school Mr. Anderson earned the coveted Merv Leitch QC scholarship for superior academic standing in constitutional law and demonstrated participation in related extracurricular activities, which in his case included his cofounding the organization Students for a Stronger Alberta. This group advocated for democratic reform and more meaningful voter participation in the democratic process, printed a university newspaper (The Independent), focused on debating relevant public policy and political issues of the day and organized a speaker series on strengthening democracy. He further demonstrated his interest in legal issues as they relate to the political sphere by earning the highest academic standing in the U of A law school's law and democratic process course.

Prior to his election as a Member of the Legislative Assembly Mr. Anderson practiced corporate litigation law at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP in Calgary. Aside from the opportunity to work with some of Canada's most knowledgeable legal minds, this experience provided him with firsthand insight into how and why companies succeed or fail.

At 19 years old Mr. Anderson spent two years engaging in mission service in Taiwan. During this time he had the opportunity to learn to speak Mandarin Chinese fluently, work as a caregiver for high-needs individuals, teach English as a second language and forge friendships that he enjoys to this day. It turns out that learning Mandarin Chinese was a blessing in more ways than one. In 2008, his parents adopted a little girl from China.

Mr. Anderson and his wife, Anita, live in Airdrie, where they raise their four sons: Derek, Bryce, Spencer and Joshua. He also has the opportunity to spend time with his parents, four brothers and two sisters, who live nearby.

Mr. Moe Amery - MLA for Calgary-East

We thank You today, Lord for MLA Mr. Moe Amery.  May Your wisdom guide him and as a result may he accomplish much for our Province and the people of Calgary – East.   We pray for new strategies and plans as he serves on committees in our legislature.   Bless him with health and time to spend with the important people in his life.  In Your Name,  Amen.

Moe Amery was elected to his sixth term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-East on April 23, 2012. He was appointed to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts on May 24, 2012. He was appointed chair of the Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future on May 28, 2012.

In addition to his regular MLA responsibilities Mr. Amery has served as a member of:

• Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services
• Standing Committee Community Development
• Standing Committee on Private Bills
• Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Standing Committee on Government Services
• Cabinet Policy Committee on Community Services
• Standing Policy Committee on Energy and Sustainable Development
• Standing Policy Committee on Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
• Environmental Protection Advisory Committee (chair)
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts
• Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund
• Glenbow Museum Advisory Committee
• MLA Implementation Team on the Future Selection of RHA Members
• MLA representative on the city of Calgary’s World Fair 2005 bid
• MLA Committee to Review Low-income Programs, summer 2001
• International Governance Office Advisory Committee
• Secondary Suites Committee, 2003 (co-chair)

Mr. Amery was born in Lebanon on September 20, 1954, and relocated to Canada in 1974. He was a student of the University of Alberta’s General Studies faculty between 1975 and 1977. 

Before being elected to the Legislature, Mr. Amery enjoyed a successful career in Calgary for almost 15 years.

Mr. Amery has been involved with the community associations in his constituency and continues with other business, service and cultural organizations.

Together Mr. Amery and his wife, Mary, have five children: Mickey, Lila, Leena, Laura and Malaak. The Amery family lives in Southview, a neighbourhood in the Calgary-East constituency.

The Amery’s currently have two grandchildren Elissa and Noah, children of Lila and son-in-law Abe. The family are now eagerly awaiting a new addition as their daughter-in-law Heather is expecting.

Mr. Mike Allen - MLA for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo

Father in Heaven we ask for Your presence to be with MLA Mike Allen as he serves Fort McMurray – Wood Buffalo.   We pray that he would have new strength and a strong heart to run the race that You have placed before him.   May he experience renewed energy and commitment to the tasks he needs to carry out.  We pray this in Your name Lord, Amen.

Mike Allen was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo on April 23, 2012. He was appointed by Premier Redford as the special advisor to the Minister of Transportation for highway 63 on May 22, 2012.

Mr. Allen currently serves as a member of the Standing Committee on Private Bills and the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship.

Mr. Allen was previously the chair of the Select Special Conflicts of Interest Act Review Committee. He had also served as a member of the following committees:

• Standing Committee on Public Accounts
• Standing Committee on Families and Communities
• Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections Standing Orders and Printing

Mr. Allen served as a member of Treasury Board and the Alaska-Alberta Bilateral Council and had also represented Alberta on the Council of State Governments – Midwest.

Mr. Allen moved to Fort McMurray in 1993 with his family and purchased Campbell’s Music, where he was able to combine his business administration background and career as a professional jazz musician to create a successful and thriving business. Mr. Allen began transitioning from business to community leader when he was nominated to a position on the board of Fort McMurray’s Chamber of Commerce. He served two terms as president.

In 2007 Mr. Allen was elected to city council, serving two terms as a councillor.

Business leader, community leader and now provincial elected representative, he continues to serve Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo, the amazing community he calls home.