MLA Jason Luan; Calgary-Hawkwood

Lord, we lift up MLA Mr. Jason Luan to you in prayer. We pray that you would give him wisdom today in his duties as an MLA and guide him in all that would result in positive changes here in Alberta. Thank you for all his hard work and let him be encouraged as he serves our province. Bless him and his family with good health and prosperity. In Jesus name, Amen

Mr. Luan was elected to his first term as a Member of Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Calgary-Hawkwood on April 23, 2012. He was appointed Chair of Social Care Facility Review Committee, Government Liaison of the Alberta Research and Innovate Authority; member of the Legislative Policy Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future; member of the Standing Committee of the Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing and member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. He also served as Deputy Chair, and later Chair of the Select Special Conflicts of Interest Act Review Committee; member of the Standing Committee of Private Bills and member of the Standing Committee on Family and Community Services in.

Mr. Luan holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Calgary and has dedicated his career to public service for over 20 years, promoting healthy families and strong communities. He is passionate about community development, collaboration, cultural diversity and social inclusion. He is also a strong bridge for business, community and cultural exchanges between Alberta and China. Prior to being elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Mr. Luan served as a social worker for the former Alberta Family and Social Services, and then as a social planner for the City of Calgary, managing funding for nonprofit social service agencies. Mr. Luan is proud to have made a difference in many lives through his distinguished professional service and volunteer contributions serving his community. He was the recipient of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

December 4, 2013

MLA Genia Leskiw; Bonnyville-Cold Lake

Father God in Heaven we are grateful for Ms. Genia Leskiw serving the region of Bonnyville- Coldlake. Thank you that because of her Ukranian heritage she can represent well those of the same heritage as she chairs the Advisory Council on Alberta-Ukranian Relations. Be present with her, leading and giving her wisdom as she carries out her many responsibilities in the Legislature. Bless her and her family richly, In Your Holy name, Amen

Genia Leskiw was elected to her second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Bonnyville-Cold Lake on April 23, 2012. She is the first Ukrainian and the first female to represent the Bonnyville-Cold Lake constituency.

Mrs. Leskiw currently serves on the following committees:

• Standing Committee on Legislative Offices
• Standing Committee on Families and Communities
• Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship
• Standing Committee on Private Bills
• Select Special Ethics Commissioner Search Committee
• Advisory Council on Alberta-Ukraine Relations (chair)

Mrs. Leskiw previously served on the following committees and councils:

• Cabinet Policy Committee on Education (chair)
• Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services
• Legislative Review Committee
• Select Special Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee

Prior to serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, she taught elementary school for over 30 years. In 1995, she was nominated for an Excellence in Teaching Award, and in 2005 she was honoured with an Alberta Centennial Award. Very active in her community, Genia has volunteered with various organizations/associations, including:

• Kiev’s-K-Hi Ukrainian Youth Camp
• St. Elias Ukrainian Orthodox Church
• St. Elias Women’s Organization
• Lakeland Ukrainian Association, president
• Bonnyville Bingo Association, board member
• Teacher/Board Liaison Committee
• Alberta Teachers’ Association local school representative

In addition, Mrs. Leskiw is a member of the Bonnyville Ukrainian choir and her local church choir. In her spare time, Mrs. Leskiw enjoys painting Pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs), working with seniors, camping and traveling.

Mrs. Leskiw lives in Bonnyville with her husband, Ron. They have two children, David and Lynna.

December 4, 2013

MLA Ken Lemke; Stony Plain

Lord God we come before you today on behalf of MLA Mr. Ken Lemke serving the constituents of Stony Plain. We thank you for the success he has had in regards to various initiatives he put in place for that community in the past and ask that you would bless him in his many volunteer efforts at the Rotary Club and the Legion. Be with him guiding him in the numerous responsibilities he has as he serves in our Alberta government. In Your Name we pray, Amen

Ken Lemke was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Stony Plain on April 23, 2012. He currently serves as deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders. As well he is a Member of the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship and the Select Special Ethics Commissioner Search Committee.

Previously he served on the Standing Committee on Families and Communities and theSelect Special Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee.

Mr. Lemke grew up in Ohaton, Alberta – a small town east of Camrose – and attended the University of Lethbridge.

Mr. Lemke had careers in real estate, sales and marketing prior to being elected to the Stony Plain Town Council, where he served from 1995 to 2012, with the last four years as mayor.

Mr. Lemke was instrumental in helping the Stony Plain Town Council achieve one of the lowest property taxes in the capital region while maintaining high levels of service, orderly growth and fiscal responsibility. He also assisted the tri-municipal region to increase shared services, including the building of the TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre. Furthermore, Mr. Lemke was involved in helping Alberta’s capital region form the Capital Region Board, fostering increased co-operation among the 23 municipalities.

Mr. Lemke is an active community volunteer and leader. He is largely involved with the Rotary Club of Stony Plain,and the Stony Plain branch of the Canadian Legion and is a former chairman of the TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre. Mr. Lemke was a board member and chairman of various other commissions, including the Stony Plain Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, the Parkland Water Services Commission, the Capital Region Wastewater Commission, the Stony Plain Library Board, the Parkland lottery board, and the Capital Region Board.

Mr. Lemke and his family, including his wife, Gail, and their three children, have lived in the Stony Plain constituency for over 30 years.

December 4, 2013

MLA Maureen Kubinec; Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock

Father in Heaven, we thank you for MLA Ms. Maureen Kubinec as she represents the constituency of Barrhead - Mornville and Westlock. We are grateful for the experience she brings to her leadership and pray that you would be with her as she seeks to make important changes and do what is best for those in her constituency. May she find the time to be refreshed, connecting and spending time with family and friends. In Your Name, Amen

Maureen Kubinec was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock on April 23, 2012. She is a member of the following Standing Committees:

• Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund
• Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Resource Stewardship

She previously served on the Standing Committee for Families and Communities and the Select Special Conflicts of Interest Act Review Committee.

Ms. Kubinec was born in Lacombe and raised in Three Hills. She lives in the Linaria district near Westlock, where she and her husband, Tim, operate a family farm. They have four adult children.

Ms. Kubinec is a strong proponent of public service. She served as a school trustee with the Three Hills and Pembina Hills school boards before serving as president of the Alberta School Boards Association from 2004 to 2007. She also served as a member and vice-chair of the Persons with Developmental Disabilities Northeast Community Board from 2008 to 2012 and as a councillor and deputy reeve for Westlock county from 2010 to 2012.

Ms. Kubinec is an active member of St. Anne’s Catholic church parish, having served on the parish council from 2008 to 2011.

December 4, 2013

Honourable Heather Klimchuk; Edmonton-Glenora

Lord, we are thankful for Hon. Heather Klimchuk. We ask that you would continue to guide her in her tasks as she serves and gives leadership in our Legislature. Thank you for her efforts to seek to improve the quality of life for all Albertans and that she has a listening ear and is aware of their needs. Bless her and her family with good health and give them further direction in life. Amen 

Minister of Culture

Mrs. Klimchuk was elected to her second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Glenora on April 23, 2012. On May, 8, 2012 she was named Minister of Culture.

During her first term, Mrs. Klimchuk served as Minister of Culture and Community Services and as Minister of Service Alberta.

Mrs. Klimchuk’s public service experience prior to serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta includes working for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta as a researcher and working as a writer for both Premier Lougheed and Premier Getty. Mrs. Klimchuk also assisted with the initiation of the Alberta Seniors Information Phone Line.

Mrs. Klimchuk holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Alberta in political science.

Mrs. Klimchuk is also active in her community and has served in the following capacities:

• Planning and Development for the Glenora Community League
• Glenora School Council Chair and volunteer co-ordinator
• Reading mentor at Glenora School
• Director of St. Basil’s School of Ukrainian Dance
• Communications Director for Kupalo Ukrainian Dance School
• Volunteer co-ordinator for the Bell Walk for Kids

Mrs. Klimchuk and her husband, Wade, have two children: Kyrsten and Keifer. They have called Edmonton-Glenora home for over 18 years.

August 20, 2012

MLA Stephen Khan; St. Albert

Father, we are thankful for MLA Stephen Khan. Continue to give him vision, direction, and the steps necessary to move our province forward. May he feel encouraged as he serves the people of his constituency. We pray that you will give him the strength he needs to carry out the many tasks before him. We pray that in the midst of his busy schedule that his family will always find time to be together. In Jesus name, Amen 

Stephen Khan was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for St. Albert on April 23, 2012. Two weeks later Premier Alison Redford appointed him Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education, a position he held until February 4, 2013.

Mr. Khan currently serves as the chair of the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund and as a member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the Standing Committee on Families and Communities and the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship.

Mr. Khan attended elementary and high school in St. Albert. He graduated from the University of Alberta with a bachelor of arts degree in anthropology.

For more than 20 years Mr. Khan owned and operated his family´s software development company, Management Information Group (St. Albert) Ltd. During that time he grew the business into a North American and international presence with thousands of clients across Canada, the United States and Europe, and expanded its staff from eight to more than 70 employees.

Mr. Khan´s roots are firmly planted in St. Albert, where his family is actively involved in the community. He has volunteered for the St. Albert Minor Hockey Association and the St. Albert Minor Baseball Association, and both he and his wife have been active volunteers at their children´s schools. Mr. Khan is also involved with the St. Albert Food Bank, and he serves breakfast at The Rock in Edmonton´s Boyle McCauley area. He is a past board member of the Northern Alberta Business Incubator.

He and his wife, Rae, live in St. Albert with their two children.

December 4, 2013

MLA Donna Kennedy-Glans; Calgary-Varsity

Father, we are thankful for MLA Ms. Donna Kennedy-Glans and her service to the people of Calgary-Varsity. We ask that you would lead and guide her as she interacts with her colleagues and as they make important decisions for Albertans. Increase her ability to be the visionary you have called her to be. Bless her and her family, in Jesus name, Amen

Donna Kennedy-Glans was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Calgary-Varsity on April 23, 2012. Donna chairs the all-party Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship is a member of Treasury Board, and sits on the Alberta government´s Ministerial Working Group on Natural Resources and Environment. In addition, Donna is a member of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region committee, which connects stakeholders from across the U.S. and Canada to discuss economic questions that relate to the region.

Donna was born near Tillsonburg, Ontario, and was raised on a cattle farm in rural southwestern Ontario, where her parents and extended family continue to farm today. She graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1981 and earned her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1984.

Since moving to Calgary in 1984, Donna has worked as a lawyer, businesswoman and leader in the energy sector. Highlights of her 28-year career in this sector include serving as

• A lawyer and negotiator with TransCanada Pipelines´ exploration and production company during the deregulation of energy markets in the 1980s;
• A corporate executive and first female Vice-President with Nexen Inc., an upstream oil and gas company, where she was responsible for managing above ground risks in domestic and international projects from 1991-2001; and
• An independent consultant, advising global energy operators on how to manage non-technical risks in resource projects over the past decade.

In addition, Donna founded Bridges Social Development in 2002, and served as its executive director until 2011. Bridges is a volunteer organization that brings together local champions and Canadian experts to train and mentor community leaders in health care, law, journalism, education and politics in countries like Yemen, Egypt, Oman, India and Nepal. In 2008, a global youth social entrepreneurship initiative was launched, focusing on training youth leaders in Canada, including youth from Diaspora, First Nations and Métis communities.

Donna is lead author of Corporate Integrity: A Toolkit for Managing beyond Compliance, published in 2005 by John Wiley & Sons. Her second book, Unveiling the Breath: One Woman´s Journey into Understanding Islam and Gender Equality was published in 2009. In 2007, Donna was awarded a Global Woman of Vision award and was named a ‘Compelling Calgarian´ by the Calgary Herald in 2010. Donna is a frequent guest lecturer at the University of Calgary´s Haskayne School of Business.

While Donna has worked in more than 35 countries around the world, she has lived in Calgary-Varsity for the past 20 years with her husband, Laurie Glans. Together they have raised three sons, who are either attending, or have graduated from, university. In addition to volunteering with local community, inter-cultural and interfaith groups, she enjoys hiking, biking and working in her garden.

September 25, 2013