Mr. David H. Xiao - MLA for Edmonton-McClung

Father God, thank-You that You are with MLA David Xiao as he serves in our Legislature.   May he find new strength today as he considers his schedule and we pray for people to step up to assist him to accomplish what needs to be done.  Thank you, for fresh inspiration and ideas to come throughout his day.  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
• Family and Communities

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.

Honourable Teresa Woo-Paw - MLA for Calgary-Northern Hills

Dear Lord, today we want to remember to pray and bring before You Honourable Teresa Woo-Paw.   We thank You that you enable her to do all that is before her.   Give her strategies to carry out the initiatives that will bring success to not only those in the Calgary – Northern  Hills constituency but throughout Alberta.  Fill her with joy in her service today.   In Jesus Name, Amen.

Associate Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations (Asia)

Ms. Woo-Paw was elected to her second term as Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Mackay on April 23, 2012. She currently serves as the Associate Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations (Asia). Ms. Woo-Paw is also the 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.

Mr. Jeff Wilson - MLA for Calgary-Shaw

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for MLA Jeff Wilson and his faithful service here in our Legislature.    Thank You also that he works together with his colleagues for the common good of all.   Give him the wisdom he needs daily as he works with committees and constituents alike.   We pray he would be blessed with good health and be refreshed today as he serves.   In Jesus name, Amen.

Jeff Wilson was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Shaw on April 23, 2012. He is a member of the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices and the Standing Committee on Families and Communities. He previously served as a member of the Select Special Conflicts of Interest Act Review Committee.

Mr. Wilson graduated from Harry Collinge high school in Hinton. He completed a broadcasting diploma at Mount Royal college in Calgary in 2000. He has worked in the communications field ever since, both as an entrepreneur and as an employee with AVW-TELAV, a North American audiovisual solutions company.

Mr. Wilson first became involved in politics while attending Mount Royal college, where he served as president of the Broadcasting Society from 1999 to 2000. An active member of his community, he has volunteered at Calgary’s Ronald McDonald House and with the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter.

Mr. Len Webber - MLA for Calgary-Foothills

Thank You, Lord that MLA Len Webber desires to serve his constituents to the best of his ability.   We are mindful of his busy schedule and pray he would experience a new measure of strength and vitality.  We ask that he would always remain true to his values and beliefs and be affirmed for who he is.  We pray Your blessing on him and his family.

Len Webber was elected to his third term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Calgary-Foothills on April 23, 2012. He currently serves as a member of Treasury Board, Energy Council, Alberta’s representative on the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER), the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship. More recently Mr. Webber was appointed to the MLA implementation team working on the review and implementation of the Retail Market Review Committee recommendations that will strengthen Alberta’s retail electricity market.

During his service as a Member, Mr. Webber has also served as Minister of Aboriginal Relations, Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations, deputy government whip, parliamentary assistant for Energy and on the following boards and committees:

• Standing Committee on Private Bills
• Standing Committee on Energy
• Standing Committee on Legislative Offices
• Select Special Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee
• Standing Committee on Resources and Environment
• Chair, Healthy Aging and Continuing Care in Alberta
• Co-chair, MLA Task Force on Continuing Care Health Service and Accommodation Standards
• Chair, MLA Task Force on Affordable Housing and Homelessness in Alberta
• Member, Select Special Ethics Commissioner Search Committee
• Member, Alberta/Alaska Bilateral Council
• Member, Public Accounts Committee
• Member, Standing Policy Committee on Education and Employment
• Chair, Advisory Committee on Climate Change
• Chair, MLA Review Committee of Private Investigators and Security Guards Act
• Member, The Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Board of Directors
• Member, Calgary WorldSkills 2009 Board of Directors
• Member, Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) Review Committee
• Member, Private Bills Committee
• Member, Treasury Board

Mr. Webber’s most recent initiative has been the introduction of private member’s Bill 207, Human Tissue and Organ Donation Amendment Act, 2013. Mr. Webber has been working on Bill 207 for the last year and a half. The bill became a government bill in May and passed second reading on May 14, 2013.

Before becoming an MLA, Mr. Webber was the vice-president and director of Webber Academy, a nonprofit university preparatory private school in Calgary. The academy provides advanced and challenging curriculum to about 950 above-average and academically gifted students from junior kindergarten to Grade 12.

Len Webber was born in Calgary, raised in the northwest community of Brentwood, and is the son of former Calgary MLA and cabinet minister Dr. Neil Webber. He received his bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Calgary and his journeyman communications electrician certificate from SAIT. He worked as an apprentice electrician out of high school and ran his own contracting business for 10 years before starting with Webber Academy.

Mr. Webber has a history of involvement and volunteerism with community groups, including Hospice Calgary, The Calgary Foundation, MS Society and as a board member of the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC). He is a loyal volunteer in many fundraising events promoting breast cancer awareness, research, and development. He is a proud recipient of the Alberta Centennial Medal for his contributions to the province of Alberta.

Mr. Webber and his late wife, Heather, have three teenage daughters: Lauren, Jaime and Kelly.

Honourable Greg Weadick - MLA for Lethbridge-West

Lord God we are grateful for Honourable Greg Weadick and that you enable his circle of influence to grow in Lethbridge and region.  We pray for a good report with both individuals and organizations, also that he will have words of wisdom and good advice that will move Albertans towards success.  Lord we ask You now that Mr. Weadick’s family will be strengthened and that their family bond will be reinforced.  Amen.

Associate Minister for Recovery and Reconstruction of Southeast Alberta

Greg Weadick was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lethbridge-West on April 23, 2012. On June 25, 2013, he was sworn in as Associate Minister for Recovery and Reconstruction of Southeast Alberta.

From May 8, 2012, to June 25, 2013, he served as Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and during his first term, on February 18, 2011, Mr. Weadick was appointed Minister of Advanced Education and Technology and a member of the Cabinet Policy Committee on the Economy.

Previously, Mr. Weadick also served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology. He has also served on the following committees:

• Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services
• Standing Committee on the Economy
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts

He has deep roots in Lethbridge, being the fourth generation of his family to call the city home. He was among some of the first students at the University of Lethbridge’s new west side campus, earning his bachelor of science in 1976 before beginning his career as a certified irrigation design consultant. He has also owned and operated several successful small businesses in Lethbridge.

Mr. Weadick was first elected to Lethbridge city council in 1991 and continued to serve for nine years. As a member of council, he helped guide the city’s pay-as-you-go strategy that put the city on firm financial ground. Mr. Weadick also served on provincial task forces on police funding and air transportation while on council.

During his 25-plus years of volunteer service, in Lethbridge he helped found the Lethbridge Rotary Dragonboat Festival, which has gone on to become one of the most anticipated events of the year. He was the founding president of the Lethbridge Youth Foundation and 5th on 5th Youth Services, which has helped thousands of young people get their education back on track and become contributing members of society.

He also helped promote the city as chairman of the Economic Development, Agriculture & Tourism Committee and as a member of the Downtown LA Board. He has served on the Lethbridge & District Exhibition Board and the Lethbridge Senior Friendly Committee, the police commission, and is a longtime Rotarian. As a businessman, Mr. Weadick has long been associated with the Lethbridge and District Chamber of Commerce, including several years as a director.

He and his wife, Joanne, also a former alderman, recently celebrated their 31st anniversary. They have two children, Josh and Lauren, both currently attending University.

Mr. George VanderBurg - MLA for Whitecourt-Ste. Anne

Father in Heaven, we are grateful for Mr. George VanderBurg and for his service to the people he is representing in the communities of Whitecourt–Ste. Anne.   Thank You that he has an understanding of the needs of those he serves and is effective in meeting them.   Give him strength to do all that is required to do today.   May he be blessed and sense Your presence with him.  Amen

George VanderBurg was elected to his fourth term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Whitecourt-Ste. Anne on April 23, 2012. He currently serves as the Government Whip.

Mr. VanderBurg is the former Associate Minister of Seniors (reporting to the Minister of Health) and he previously served as Minister of Seniors, Minister of Government Services, and Acting Minister of Innovation and Science.

Mr. VanderBurg has also served as a member of the following councils and committees:

• Cabinet Policy Committee on Public Health & Safety
• Canadian Energy Research Institute
• Personal Information Protection Act Review Committee (deputy chair)
• Standing Committee on Legislative Offices Committee
• Standing Committee on Government Services
• Seniors Advisory Council for Alberta (chair)
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts (vice-chair)
• Advisory Council on Electricity
• Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund
• Standing Committee on Private Bills
• Standing Policy Committee on Agriculture and Municipal Affairs
• MLA Tourism Funding Review Committee
• School Construction and Operating Review Committee
• Roles and Responsibilities Committee, Municipal Affairs
• MLA Precious Minerals and Mines Strategy Committee
• Northlands Park Board (director)
• Transmission Advisory Commission (chair)

Prior to becoming the MLA for Whitecourt-Ste. Anne in 2001, Mr. VanderBurg served 15 years in municipal politics. He served as the mayor of Whitecourt for almost nine years and spent six as a town councillor.

Over the years Mr. VanderBurg was an active Rotarian, and he and his wife, Liz, were successful owners and operators of various businesses in northern Alberta. He was president of the Whitecourt Chamber of Commerce and was the recipient of the Chamber of Commerce president’s award. Mr. VanderBurg has also been named Whitecourt’s citizen of the year and been awarded the Alberta Chamber of Commerce small business of the year award.

Mr. VanderBurg and his wife have been married for 35 years, have two sons, Kris (Amanda) and Jake (Crystal) and live in Whitecourt.

Mrs. Kerry Towle - MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake

Dear God, thank you that You are with MLA Mrs. Kerry Towle in her role in the Alberta Legislature.   We ask that You would grant her a new measure of wisdom and strength as she diligently serves the people of Innisfail – Sylvan Lake.  We pray that she would have the ability and the resources to meet the needs of those around her.   May she sense Your presence with her as she goes about her day.  In Your Name,  Amen.

Kerry Towle was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake on April 23, 2012. She sits on the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing and the Standing Committee on Families and Communities. She previously served as a member of the Standing Committee on Alberta´s Economic Future.

A graduate of Innisfail high school and Reeves College, Mrs. Towle has worked in real estate for the past six years and is an Associate Broker. Prior to this, she worked for almost 10 years with the David Thompson Regional Health Authority as the executive assistant to the Nursing Leader. She also worked in human resources with the department of Indian and northern affairs, now known as Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.

Mrs. Towle and her husband were turkey producers from 2003 to 2008.

Mrs. Towle was a strong advocate for her brother Ron who had Huntington’s Disease until his death in 2010.

She served for six years with the Royal Canadian Army Cadets as both a cadet and a cadet officer in Red Deer and Whitehorse, Yukon.

Mrs. Towle has hiked the Chillkoot Trail in the Yukon three times. Mrs. Towle and her family enjoy travelling and have backpacked extensively throughout Africa, Southeast Asia and Central America. 

Her family also hosts a Japanese high school student every year.