Mr. Rob Anderson - MLA for Airdrie

Dear God, We pray for MLA Mr. Rob Anderson that you would be with him and all the other party representatives that they would be wise in all the important decisions they must make. Surround them with people who will give them wise counsel and good advice. Help him Lord, to represent the people of Airdrie well and be knowledgeable of what they need. In your name, Amen (Grade 6 Student)

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 has previously served on the following standing committees of the Legislative Assembly:

• Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund
• Resource Stewardship
• Education
• Finance
• Private Bills
• Public Safety and Services
• Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services

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.