Dr. David Swann - MLA for Calgary-Mountain View

Father in Heaven we are grateful for Dr. David Swann and the expertise and experience he brings to our government here in Alberta that enables him to make decisions his constituents can be confident in.  We ask for strength for him today for all the tasks that are before him and direct his plans we pray.   Be with him and bless him with Your peace.  Amen.

David Swann was elected to his third term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Calgary-Mountain View on April 23, 2012. From December 15, 2008 to September 12, 2011, Dr. Swann served as leader of the Alberta Liberal caucus, Her Majesty’s Official Opposition.

Dr. Swann was appointed to the Standing Committee on Private Bills on May 24, 2012, and the Standing Committee on Families and Communities on May 28, 2012.

He previously served as critic for Health and Wellness and Executive Council. Additionally, Dr. Swann served as a member of the following Standing Committees:

• Public Health and Safety
• Private Bills
• Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing

During his first term Dr. Swann was environment critic and also served as deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Resources and Environment and as a member of the Private Bills Committee and the Standing Committee on Health.

Dr. Swann graduated from the University of Alberta with his B.MSc. in 1971, his MD in 1973 and from the University of Calgary with his FRCP(C) in 1988. He practised as a family physician from 1975 to 1984 and then as a public health consultant from 1988 to 2004.

Dr. Swann is active within his community and was responsible for initiating the Healthy City Project in Calgary in 1987. He was also a part of developing the first pesticide-free park in Calgary in 1998 and has been involved in a number of anti-sanctions, anti-war movements from 1995 to 2004, which included three trips to Iraq.

He was involved in the publication of Finding My Voice for Peace (from Canada and the New American Empire, ed. George Melnyk). Dr. Swann was also honoured with the Gold Star Teaching Award in both 1999 and 2003 from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary.

Dr. Swann has been actively involved in raising issues of human security and human rights both locally (farm-workers) and internationally (Darfur).

Dr. Swann and his wife, Laureen, have three children. During his free time he enjoys peace and justice work, music and singing, jogging, woodworking and writing.

Mr. Rick Strankman - MLA for Drumheller-Stettler

Heavenly Father , we thank You for MLA Mr. Rick Strankman what he has done and continues to do  for the community of Drumheller – Stettler.  We pray that he would enjoy his work and that You would guide him in his plans and in the tasks before him.   We also pray for him and his family, that they would experience Your presence in their lives and be blessed in many ways.   Amen.

Rick Strankman was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Drumheller-Stettler on April 23, 2012. In addition to serving on both the Standing Committee on Private Bills and the legislative policy committee on Alberta’s Economic Future, he is the Tourism, Parks and Recreation critic.

Mr. Strankman has owned and operated a farming business since 1973. From 1999 to 2011 he also volunteered as secretary/treasurer of the Western Barley Growers Association. Although initially interested in agriculture, Mr. Strankman became increasingly involved in politics and social activism in response to federal regulation of the agriculture industry, including legislation relating to the Canadian Wheat Board.

His commitment to public service began early on and as a youth Mr. Strankman was honored with the Queen’s scout award by Boy Scouts of Canada.

Mr. Strankman also has a keen interest in aviation and has held a pilot’s licence and done aerial application since 1974.

He and his wife Dianne live in Altario and have two grown children.

Mr. Pat Stier - MLA for Livingstone-Macleod

Dear Lord, we pray today thanking You for the Livingstone –Macleod MLA, Mr. Pat Stier and the role he has been called to fulfill in our Alberta Government.   It is our prayer that he would experience strength equal to the work that is before him.  We pray God that You would order his day so that he can complete all the important tasks and see the individuals he needs to see today.   God Bless him and fill him with Your peace.   In Your Name Jesus we pray,  Amen.

Pat Stier was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Livingstone-Macleod on April 23, 2012. He was appointed to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship on May 28, 2012.

Mr. Stier has lived in Alberta’s foothills region his entire life. He was raised on the family ranch near De Winton, where he and his family have raised Angus cattle, Arabian horses and various crops for more than 30 years. He attended school in Okotoks.

Throughout his working career Mr. Stier was employed primarily in the seismic data segment of the oil and gas industry in Calgary. He is President of River Canyon Enterprises Inc., a rural land planning consulting company in the foothills region.

Mr. Stier has experience working with and for municipal government. He served as a councillor with the Municipal District of Foothills from 2004 to 2007. He served as President of the Dunbow Road Area Residents Association from 1988 to 1999.

Honourable Richard Starke - MLA for Vermilion-Lloydminster

Dear Father God, we thank You today for the important role Dr. Richard Starke plays in our Alberta Legislature.   Thank You as well that in the busyness of his schedule You will guide him to give attention and focus on the items of most importance.  May he be refreshed and have joy in his place of service and sense Your presence empowering him today in all he does.   In Your Name,  Amen

Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation

Richard Starke was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Vermilion-Lloydminster on April 23, 2012. He was sworn-in as Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation on February 8, 2013.

Dr. Starke serves as a member of the Agenda and Priorities Committee, Operations and Policy Cabinet Committee, Families and Community Ministerial Group, and Natural Resources and Environment Ministerial Group. Dr. Starke also serves as chair of the Private Members Business Committee.

In addition, he previously chaired the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing and served as a member of the Standing Committees on Alberta’s Economic Future, Public Accounts and Private Bills.

Dr. Starke was born and raised in Edmonton. He attended the University of Alberta and later the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan, where he graduated with a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) in 1983. Dr. Starke joined the Lloydminster Animal Hospital in 1983, became a partner in 1985 and was senior partner from 1990 until his retirement from practice in December 2011.

Dr. Starke first became interested in politics while in high school, when he participated in model parliamentary activities as a member of the TUXIS Parliament of Alberta. During his time in TUXIS Parliament he served in various Cabinet positions, as well as Premier and Speaker. He also represented Alberta at the first National Youth Parliament in Ottawa in 1980, serving as Minister of Energy. In 1985 he became the youngest person to be elected to city council in Lloydminster, becoming an alderman at the age of 25 and serving two terms, from 1985 to 1991.

An active member of his community, Dr. Starke has served as a member and board chair of the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation. He has been involved with the Rotary Club of Lloydminster and Rotary International since the late 1980s, and he is a founding member of Lloydminster´s German Heritage Society. He has also served as director of coaching and programs for the Lloydminster Border Blades Speed Skating Club.

Dr. Starke lives north of Lloydminster in the Durness district with his wife, Alison. Both of their sons currently attend university.

Ms. Danielle Smith - MLA for Highwood

Dear Lord, please be with Ms. Danielle Smith MLA for Highwood and help her in the various task and duties in the significant role she has in our Alberta Legislative.   May she know with certainty that You are guiding her from day to day whether she meets with committee members or with individual constituents.  Grant her health and vitality for the work that is before her and we pray that You would bless her today.  Amen.

Leader of the Official Opposition

Danielle Smith was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Highwood on April 23, 2012. She was elected as leader of the Wildrose Party of Alberta on October 17, 2009. 

She sits on the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services and previously served on the Standing Committee on Alberta´s Economic Future.

Prior to entering politics, Ms. Smith was the director of provincial affairs for Alberta with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, CFIB. She worked with all levels of government to represent the interests of CFIB’s 10,000 small-business members in Alberta.

Before joining CFIB, Ms. Smith had extensive experience in the media. She was an editorial writer and columnist at the Calgary Herald for six years. She served as host of Global Sunday, a national current affairs television talk show, and was also the host of two programs on CKMX 1060 AM radio in Calgary, Health Frontiers and Standing Ground. She has made frequent guest appearances as a commentator on TV and radio.

Ms. Smith’s public policy experience began with an internship at the Fraser Institute. She was also elected as a trustee for the Calgary board of education and served as the director of the Alberta Property Rights Initiative and the Canadian Property Rights Research Institute.

Ms. Smith received a BA in English and a BA in economics from the University of Calgary. She married her husband, David Moretta in 2006 and is the proud stepmother of David’s son Jonathan. Danielle and David live in High River with their two dogs, Caine and Colt.

Dr. Raj Sherman - MLA for Edmonton-Meadowlark

We are thankful today God for MLA Dr. Raj Sherman and we pray that You will grant him wisdom and strength as he makes decisions for our province.  We ask that You God will help him and guide him as he carries out his duties as the Liberal leader.   Bless him and his family and we pray that they would prosper and be in good health.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.

Liberal Opposition Leader

Dr. Raj Sherman was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Meadowlark on April 23, 2012. He was appointed to the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund and the Special Standing Committee on Members´ Services on May 24, 2012. He previously served as a member of the Standing Committee on Alberta´s Economic Future.

He served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health and Wellness from March 12, 2008, to November 22, 2010. In September 2011 he became Leader of the Official Opposition.

Dr. Sherman completed his medical studies at the University of Alberta, and after obtaining his MD from the Faculty of Medicine, he specialized in family and emergency medicine.

During his first term, medical career he served as a STARS flight physician, as president of the section of emergency medicine for the Alberta Medical Association (AMA), and as a member of the AMA Health Issues Council.

Active in his community, Dr. Sherman is a director of the Society for Helping Lives in Poverty, a past member of the McKernan housing community, and a soccer and basketball coach. He also runs a small construction business designing and building custom-made homes.

Dr. Sherman is a past member of the University of Alberta Senate and a clinical lecturer at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine. He continues to be a keynote speaker and panellist at national health conferences.

Among his many professional accomplishments Dr. Sherman received a gold pin for his service with STARS, a bronze medal from the Lifesaving Society Alberta and Northwest Territories, and the Alan Drummond advocacy award from the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians.

In July 2011 he was voted one of the 50 most influential Albertans by Alberta Venture magazine.

He continues practising emergency medicine on weekends in Edmonton, Alberta.

Honourable Donald Scott - MLA for Fort McMurray-Conklin

Dear Heavenly Father please give Honourable Donald Scott the wisdom and strength to know how to do his job well and the courage to always speak the truth.   We pray that You would protect him and his family from all harm and danger.   Give him Your guidance and a sense of your presence with him today.   In Your Name, Amen.

Associate Minister of Accountability, Transparency and Transformation

Don Scott was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Fort McMurray-Conklin on April 23, 2012, and was appointed by Premier Redford as the Associate Minister of Accountability, Transparency and Transformation on May 8, 2012.

A graduate of the University of New Brunswick and the University of Cambridge, Don has worked as a lawyer in Fort McMurray for more than 10 years. In 2006 he founded the McMurray Law Office, where he practises in the areas of family, real estate and business law. During his time in England in the late 1990s he served as an assistant solicitor with the Bloody Sunday inquiry, a 12-year public inquiry into the killing of 13 civilians by British soldiers. In 2010 Don was appointed to the Queen’s Counsel of Alberta.

Don served as councillor for ward 1 of the regional municipality of Wood Buffalo from October 2010 until his election to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.

An active community member and volunteer, Don was a board member of the United Way for six years , and previously served as president for the local chapter. He also volunteers as a board member of Legal Aid in Fort McMurray and Children First, and has served on the Northern Lights Health Region Ethics Committee for two years. Don has served as a Bencher for the Law Society of Alberta.

Don and his family live in the Thickwood area of Fort McMurray. He is an avid badminton and basketball player who also enjoys spending his free time hiking and fly-fishing.