MLA Rob Anderson: Airdrie

Father in Heaven we ask you to bless MLA, Mr. Rob Anderson as he serves in our legislature, representing the people of Airdrie. We pray, Lord, that you would direct his thoughts and plans as he works with others on the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund. We ask that you would refresh him with new strength as he carries out this important role. 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.

March 19, 2013

MLA Moe Amery: Calgary-East

Dear Lord, we are grateful for MLA Moe Amery as he serves in our legislature for his sixth term.  We pray for his involvement on the Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future that he would be directed to make plans for an economy that continues to grow in strength and towards a promising future. Bless and refresh him today we pray and may he know he is appreciated. In Jesus 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.

June 5, 2012

MLA Mike Allen: Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo

Dear Heavenly Father we thank you for Mr. Mike Allen, MLA for Fort McMurray – Wood Buffalo. We ask that you would give him wisdom as he serves on the special advisory committee to the Minister of Transportation in regards to the future development of Hwy.63. We pray that he would know what steps to take when, as he works on this important project. May he be blessed with strength and vitality as he fulfills his role in the legislature.  In Jesus name, 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.

He is chair of the Select Special Conflicts of Interest Act Review Committee and is also a member of the following committees:

• Standing Committee on Public Accounts
• Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship

Previously Mr. Allen served as a Member on the following committees

• Standing Committee on Families and Communities
• Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing

In addition to these responsibilities, Mr. Allen is a member of Treasury Board and the Alaska-Alberta Bilateral Council. He also represents 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.

March 15, 2013

Honourable Gene Zwozdesky, Edmonton-Mill Creek

Almighty God, we thank you today for the Honourable Gene Zwosdesky. We pray your richest blessings upon him as he continues to serve with excellence and integrity in his role as Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Millcreek. May you grant him continued insights and clarity into the issues he must address at the constituency level. However, we also request you provide him ongoing wisdom and conviction in his many and significant role as Speaker of the House. Father God, as he oversees the workings and people of the Legislative Assembly Complex, both in and out of the House, may he know the full measure of your love, care, compassion and favour. May you also watch over his family and staff in their many dimensions of life and work. We pray in Jesus’ Lovely Name! Amen!

Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta

On April 23, 2012, Gene Zwozdesky was elected to his sixth term as the MLA for Edmonton-Mill Creek. He was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly on May 23, 2012, and appointed chair of the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services on May 24, 2012.

Mr. Zwozdesky sits on the executive of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association as the Canada Regional Representative.

In addition to his role as MLA, Mr. Zwozdesky chaired the Standing Committee on Community Development.

He previously served as Minister of Alberta Health and Wellness, Minister of Aboriginal Relations, Minister of Education, and Minister of Community Development. He was also the Associate Minister of Health and Wellness (1999) and of Capital Planning (2007).

Mr. Zwozdesky was a member of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing and the Cabinet Policy Committee on Community Development.

An adjunct professor at the University of Alberta, Mr. Zwozdesky has a bachelor of arts degree and a bachelor of education degree from the University of Alberta as well as accreditation courses in public administration.

Before becoming an MLA, Mr. Zwozdesky worked as a teacher, administrator, professional musician and business owner. He was also the Executive Director of the Alberta Cultural Heritage Foundation and of the Alberta Ukrainian Canadian Centennial Commission, as well as Music Director for the Shumka Dancers and Cheremosh Dancers.

Mr. Zwozdesky is actively involved in his community. He is President of the Alberta Friends of Golf Association and a member of: the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce, Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations, Order of St. Andrew, Rainbow Society of Alberta, St. John’s Fraternal Society, Big Miller Bandwagon Statue Project, and the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN). He is also an Honourary Life-time Member of the Edmonton Musicians’ Association (Local 390), the Twin Parks Community League, and the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers. Previously, Mr. Zwozdesky was an executive member of the Alberta Folk Arts Council, Alberta Recording Industry Association, Edmonton Canada Day Committee, Edmonton Heritage Festival Association and Capital City Savings (SERVUS) Ukrainian Community Council. He was the co-founder and producer of the Great Canadian Awards and Honorary Mayor of Kananaskis Country. He has served as a volunteer auctioneer for numerous organizations and has helped raise over $5 million for charitable causes.

Gene Zwozdesky has received many awards and recognitions, including:

• Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, 2012
• Taras Shevchenko Medal, 2009
• Ami de la francophonie lors de Rond Point
• Alberta Association of Rehab Centres Trail Breaker Award
• Alberta Council for the Ukrainian Arts Award
• Alberta Motion Picture Industry Film Composer Award
• Alberta Recording Industries Association (ARIA) Award of Distinction
• Blauen-Funken Prinzengarde Honorary Knight Award
• CFCW Canadian Ukrainian Music Hall of Fame
• City of Edmonton Ambassador Award for Business and Tourism
• Congress of Black Women of Canada Merit Award
• Council of India Societies Merit Award
• Edmonton Folk Arts Council Heritage Development Award
• Edmonton Musicians Association Honorary Life Member Award
• Friends of Focus Award (for work with disability groups)
• Friends of Inner City Edmonton Appreciation Award
• Government of Canada Merit Award for Multiculturalism
• Lebanese Cultural Association (Lac La Biche) Honorary Member Award
• Pakistan Canada Association Community Service Award
• Province of Alberta Achievement Award for Culture
• Queens Golden Jubilee Medal
• Royal Canadian Legion Community Service Award
• Royal Canadian Norwood Legion Honorary Life Member Award
• Sikh Federation of Edmonton Outstanding Community Services Award
• Twin Parks Community League Honorary Life Member Award
• Ukrainian Canadian Social Services Certificate of Recognition
• Ukrainian Shumka Dancers Lifetime Member Award
• Vohon Ukrainian Dance Ensemble Recognition Award
• 2005 Alberta Centennial Medal

For the 2009 and 2010 Mardi Gras Season, Gene and his wife, Christine, were crowned "Prince and Princess" of the German Blauen-Funken Karneval.

October 30, 2012

MLA Steve Young, Edmonton-Riverview

Gracious Lord, we ask that you continue to bless Steve Young as he serves the wonderful people of Edmonton –Riverview and as he fulfills the role of Government Whip. Grant him clarity, wisdom and strength in all he does and is. May he know your  love, care, compassion and peace in his life. Thank you for his family and staff and may your awesome presence surround them continuously! We pray in Jesus’ Name! Amen!

Government Whip

Steve Young was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Riverview on April 23, 2012. He was subsequently appointed as vice-chair of the Government Operations Committee and a member of the Agenda and Priorities Committee. He also serves as Government Whip.

Mr. Young also serves as a member of the following Standing Committees:

• Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Families and Communities

He was previously involved with the following Standing Committees:

• Members´ Services (deputy chair)
• Alberta’s Economic Future
• Resource Stewardship

A fourth-generation Albertan, Mr. Young grew up just outside of Edmonton in the County of Strathcona. He attended the University of Alberta and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education in 1995 and an MBA specializing in international business in 2004.

He served on the board of directors for what is now known as Servus Credit Union for six years and chaired its Audit and Finance Committee. He is past president of the Garneau Community League and was involved with the Edmonton-Riverview Progressive Conservative Association for three years, serving on the executive committee and then as president.

Mr. Young was a criminal law instructor at MacEwan University from 2007 to 2012; as an educator, he has done consulting work for the Alberta Solicitor General, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and Edmonton Transit on risk management, operations and strategy.

During his tenure as an officer with the Edmonton Police Service from 1995 until 2012 Mr. Young gained a breadth of experience in numerous areas, including emergency response, criminal investigations, community engagement, crime prevention and information management. Prior to his election to the Legislative Assembly Mr. Young was involved with a national initiative for developing data exchange standards in partnership with Public Safety Canada, the RCMP, the Department of Homeland Security, Mexico and INTERPOL.

A former player in the Western Hockey League and for the University of Alberta Golden Bears, Mr. Young has also completed the Canadian Ironman triathlon as part of the Cops for Cancer team that raised money and awareness for cancer research.

Mr. Young along with his wife, Leanne, and their daughters, Abigail and Taylor, reside in the community of Crestwood.

March 15, 2013

MLA David H. Xiao, Edmonton-McClung

Thank you Dear God for David H. Xiao. Thank you for his devoted service to the people of Edmonton-McClung. We pray today that he may know your ongoing strength, wisdom and peace. May you continue to bless him with integrity and insight into the many and challenging matters he must deal with on a daily basis. May you continue to bless his family members and staff who give of themselves each day. We ask in Jesus’ Name! Amen!

David Xiao was elected to his second term as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-McClung on April 23, 2012. He is a member of the following Standing Committees:

• Private Bills (chair)
• Alberta´s Economic Future

Previously he served as a member of the following Standing Committees

• Legislative Offices (chair)
• Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Resource Stewardship

In addition to his role as an MLA, Mr. Xiao served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Energy, Minister of Transportation and the Minister of Employment and Immigration. He was also as a member of the Cabinet Policy Committee on Energy and a member of Standing Committees on Private Bills, Public Accounts, Energy, the Economy and Public Safety and Services.

Prior to his election as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Mr. Xiao was an avid entrepreneur and local businessperson. Mr. Xiao’s diverse entrepreneurial experience includes international trade, publishing, commercial real estate investment and marketing.

Dedicated to furthering his education and expanding his horizons, Mr. Xiao has a diploma in geological science from the Beijing Institute of Mining and a bachelor of arts in English literature from the Beijing Second Foreign Language Institute. Mr. Xiao has also studied business through NAIT and economics at the University of Alberta.

Mr. Xiao is active in his community and is a member of the Rotary Club of Edmonton and the Canadian Club of Edmonton. He has served on the board of directors of the YMCA and the Edmonton Chinese Garden Society.

Mr. Xiao lives in Edmonton with his wife, Alice, and his sons, Allen and Andrew.

Mr. Xiao is a tea connoisseur. Collecting clay teapots and cooking are his main hobbies.

March 15, 2013

Honourable Teresa Woo-Paw, Calgary-Northern Hills

Precious God, we pray today for the Honourable Teresa Woo-Pow as she serves her riding of Calgary-Northern Hills and acts in the capacity of Associate Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations. May she continue to serve the people of Calgary and Alberta with integrity, passion and joy. Bless her in her many and significant dealings with governments, at home and abroad. May you grant her favour in the minds and hearts of those she connects…locally, provincially, nationally and internationally! Watch over her family and her staff and bless them for their care and devotion in service to our lovely province. In Jesus’ Name! Amen!

Associate Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations

Ms Woo-Paw was elected to her second term as Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Northern Hills on April 23, 2012. On May 8, 2012 she was named Associate Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations. On June 12, 2012, Honourable Woo-Paw was appointed Chair of the Asia Advisory Council.

Previously, she served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Employment and Immigration and as a member of the standing committees on Public Safety and Services and Public Accounts.

Ms Woo-Paw holds a bachelor of arts degree in social work from the University of Calgary and has dedicated her career to promoting active civic engagement and volunteerism, social inclusion, cross-cultural understanding and anti-discrimination awareness.

Prior to serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Ms Woo-Paw worked as a private consultant providing diversity training and program facilitation and instruction. During her career she has worked for the Cultural Diversity Institute, the Calgary health region, United Way Calgary, the Red Cross, Calgary board of education, the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association and the Calgary Immigrant Aid Society.

Additionally, Ms Woo-Paw served as the trustee and chair of the Calgary board of education from 1995 to 1999.

An active part of her community for over 30 years, Ms Woo-Paw founded the Asian Heritage Foundation, the Ethno-Cultural Council of Calgary and the Calgary Chinese Community Services Association as well as served on over 30 committees and boards including the following organizations:

• United Way of Calgary and area
• Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations
• Alberta Wild Rose Foundation
• Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre

Her community service has earned Ms Woo-Paw an Immigrant of Distinction Award, YWCA’s Woman of Distinction Award, the Queen’s Jubilee Award for Multiculturalism and Community Services and the Canada 125th Commemorative Award for Community Services.

Ms Woo-Paw lives in Calgary with her husband, Borick. They have three children: Jadine, Jason and Cordelia.

December 3, 2012