Ms. Pearl Calahasen - MLA for Lesser Slave Lake

Heavenly Father, You are good and Your mercies endure forever.  We thank You for the reality of Your presence in MLA Pearl Calahasen’s life today.    Guide her as she attends to needs and important business in the Lesser Slave Lake region.  May Your blessing rest upon her we pray.  In Your Name,  Amen.

Pearl Calahasen was elected to her seventh term as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lesser Slave Lake on April 23, 2012. She currently serves as a member of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing, as well as the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship.

Ms. Calahasen previously served as a member of the following committees:

• Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services
• Standing Committee on Private Bills
• Standing Committee on Community Development
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Since she was first elected to the Alberta Legislature in 1989, Ms. Calahasen served as Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, minister without portfolio responsible for children’s services, Associate Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and as a member of the Standing Committee on Resources and Environment.

Pearl Calahasen was born and raised in Grouard, Alberta. She has a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Alberta and a master’s degree from the University of Oregon.

 She is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Education.

Her professional experience includes teaching Grades 1-12, serving as a continuing education co-ordinator at Alberta Vocational College in Lesser Slave Lake (now Northern Lakes College) and working as a private consultant developing and evaluating educational materials.

Ms. Calahasen has been a champion of Native education programs. She led the development of the first Native language program introduced in Alberta schools and was responsible for developing the Cree language program for adult students. As a consultant with Alberta Education Ms. Calahasen was the principal advisor for the development of the Native education policy, curriculum materials and language development and programming.

Actively involved in community affairs, Ms. Calahasen has served as a member of the Native economic development program, as an Alberta human rights commissioner and as a volunteer tutor for illiterate adults. She has canvassed for the Heart Fund and Cancer Society and has been actively involved in community sports as a player, coach and administrator. Ms. Calahasen was one of the founding members of the University of Alberta Native Students’ Association.

Ms. Calahasen has been recognized by the Aboriginal community as a role model and has received many awards. Some of these include:

• Esquao Circle of Honour
• Honorary membership in the Kapawe’no First Nation
• Honorary Chief of Tallcree First Nation
• Induction into the Blackfoot Women’s Society
• The National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Public Service
• Aboriginal Role Model Award

In addition to these honours and awards, the board of governors representing universities and colleges in Alberta granted Ms. Calahasen the Distinguished Achievement Award Celebrating Success.

Dr. Neil Brown, QC - MLA for Calgary-Mackay-Nose Hill

Lord God, we thank You that You are with Dr. Neil Brown today and guide him as he fulfills his duties.  We pray that as he meets people in his constituency this summer and attends many important functions that You would give him renewed strength and vitality.  In Your  Name, Amen.

Dr. Neil Brown, QC, was elected to his third term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Calgary-Mackay-Nose Hill on April 23, 2012.

Committees Served on

Current Assignments

• Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship
• Standing Committee on Legislative Offices
• Standing Committee on Private Bills
• Member of the board of the Canadian Energy Research Institute
• Health – Primary Care & Health Benefits Panel

Past Assignments

• Standing Committee on Families and Communities
• Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship
• Chair, Standing Committee on Private Bills
• Agenda and Priorities Committee
• Standing Committee on Education
• Private Members Business Committee
• Regulatory Review Secretariat
• Cabinet Policy Committee on Education
• Chair, Cabinet Policy Committee on Public Safety and Services (responsible for reviewing policy changes and proposed legislation in departments of Justice and Attorney General; Solicitor General, Aboriginal Affairs, Service Alberta, Treasury Board, and Executive Council.)
• Standing Committee on Public Safety and Services: all party committee which examines policy and legislation
• Chair, Legislative Review Committees: Member Agenda and Priorities Committee (2006-2008)
• Chair, Select Special Committee on Conflicts of Interest Act Review
• Chair, Alberta Forestry Research Institute
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts
• MLA AISH Review Committee
• Chair, Protection of Persons in Care Review
• Standing Committee on Government Services
• Cabinet Policy Committee on Resources and Environment
• MLA Métis Harvesting Committee
• Forestry Industry Sustainability Committee
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Dr. Brown began his career as an assistant professor of biology at Trent University. He then went on to practise law with McLaws and Company (later Parlee McLaws), focusing mainly on civil litigation and oil and gas matters. In 1987 he went into private practice, specializing in civil litigation, administrative, oil and gas and environmental law. Dr. Brown received his bachelor’s of science in biology from the University of Calgary in 1971, his master’ of science in zoology from the University of Alaska in 1974, his Ph.D. in biology from McGill University in 1977 and his bachelor of laws from the University of Calgary in 1982.

Dr. Brown is an active member of the Law Society of Alberta. Since being elected to serve as an MLA, Dr. Brown has successfully sponsored 15 government bills.

Since being elected to serve as an MLA, Dr. Brown has successfully sponsored 15 government bills.

His contribution to the public sector includes:

• Service on the Board of Governors and Senate of the University of Calgary
• Past president of the Alumni Association of the University of Calgary
• Member, Student Legal Aid, the University of Calgary
• Vice-president and chair of his community association
• Associate (voting) member, Royal Canadian Legion for over 30 years
• Director, Midnapore Church of England Society (historic site)
• Lecturer, Historic Calgary Week of Chinook Country Historical Society
• Volunteer canvasser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Alberta Lung Association, the Canadian Cancer Society and the Kidney Foundation

Dr. Brown has received a number of awards and honours, including:

• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal
• Canada 125 medal for Service to Community and Canada in 1992
• Alberta Centennial medal for outstanding service to Alberta 2005
• National Sciences and Engineering Research Council grant (1978-79)
• National Research Council of Canada Scholar (1974-77)
• Award of Merit Honoree, Alumni Association of the University of Calgary (1992)
• Chief Justice McGillivray Shield, University of Calgary Faculty of Law (1980 and 1981)
• President’s Citation, University of Calgary Students’ Union (1989-90)

Dr. Brown enjoys outdoor pursuits, including canoeing, fishing, hunting as well as creative writing, travelling and reading.

Ms. Laurie Blakeman - MLA for Edmonton-Centre

Father in Heaven we thank you for Ms. Laurie Blakeman as she serves in her important role in our legislature. We pray for your blessings on the leadership skills she brings to her position. We also ask God that you would bless her with good health and in the busyness of her days protect her and her family.

Laurie Blakeman was first elected as Edmonton-Centre MLA in 1997 and is now in her fifth term. She currently serves as Alberta Liberal House Leader in the Alberta Legislature.

She currently serves on the following committees:

• Standing Committee on Legislative Offices
• Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship
• Select Special Ethics Commissioner Search Committee

In addition, Ms. Blakeman served as deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Energy and was a member of the following committees:

• Standing Committee on Community Development
• Select Special Information and Privacy Commissioner Search
• Select Special Conflicts of Interest Act Review Committee
• Select Special Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee

Ms. Blakeman has served as critic for eight other portfolios, including Health and Wellness.

Ms. Blakeman has a bachelor of fine arts degree in acting and a certificate in public administration, both from the University of Alberta. Before serving in the provincial Legislature, she enjoyed a successful career in the theatre both as a performer and an administrator with Phoenix Theatre, Theatre Network, and Celebration of Women in the Arts.

Ms. Blakeman is a former executive director of the Alberta Advisory Council on Women’s Issues and past president of Celebration of Women in the Arts as well as the founding member of the Edmonton National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. In 1999 she received a YWCA Woman of Distinction Award.

A long-time resident of Edmonton’s Rossdale neighbourhood, Ms. Blakeman is married to Ben Henderson, Edmonton city councillor for ward 8. They share their home with two large dogs and two cats.

Mr. Deron Bilous - MLA for Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview

Lord God, it is our prayer today that you would give MLA Deron Bilous your guidance and strength for the many tasks in his community and in his legislative work. We pray that you would watch over and send your angels to protect him and his family. Amen

Deron Bilous was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview on April 23, 2012. He was appointed to the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing on May 24, 2012. He was appointed to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship on May 28, 2012.

Mr. Bilous was born and raised in Edmonton and is very proud of his Ukrainian ancestry. He graduated from the University of Alberta with a bachelor of education degree in 2001. For the past five years he has taught and mentored students at Edmonton’s Inner City High School.

An active volunteer in his community, Mr. Bilous has been a member of the Beverly Heights Community League and vice-president of the Boyle Street Community League. From 2008 to 2011 he served as a board member on the Edmonton Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee.

Mr. Bilous also participated in the Canada World Youth program in 1995-96, working in Edmonton, Saint Jerome in Quebec and Tunisia.

Mr. Bilous lives in Beverly Heights. In his spare time he enjoys playing recreational hockey and other sports as well as travelling.

Mr. Gary Bikman - MLA for Cardston-Taber-Warner

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for MLA Gary Bikman and his role in the government of Alberta. May he be aware today of your presence with him as he fulfills his duties and we ask that you go ahead of him to clear the way of any obstacles in his way. Thank you for blessing him and his family with great health and may your angels surround him and give him safe travels. In Your Name we pray, Amen.

Gary Bikman was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Cardston-Taber-Warner on April 23, 2012. He currently serves as a member of the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship and the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices. Previously he served as deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future.

Mr. Bikman was born and raised in southern Alberta. He holds a bachelor’s of science degree and a master’s in business administration degree from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

Mr. Bikman has extensive business experience, having successfully owned and managed an oilfield service company for 25 years. He cofounded and led ChopStix Restaurants from 2006 to 2010 and ChopStix International Franchising Inc. from 2010 to 2012. Mr. Bikman is also an experienced and dedicated educator, having been a sessional instructor at the University of Lethbridge’s faculty of management and at Lethbridge College.

An active member of his community, Mr. Bikman has frequently served as Stirling’s mayor, deputy mayor and councillor since 1980. He has also served intermittently as a member of the Chinook Arch Regional Library Board and as a scout leader in the village of Stirling.

Mr. Bikman and his first wife, Suzy, moved to Stirling in 1972. She died of cancer in 1989, leaving their nine children motherless.

He later met and married Sheila Cooper-Leavitt. Together with her four children their blended family totals 13, with over 30 grandchildren. They continue to reside in Stirling.

In his spare time he enjoys sports, yard work, leading self-employment workshops and teaching ethics and morality to teenagers. He is also an avid reader.

Honourable Manmeet S. Bhullar - MLA for Calgary-Greenway

Father in Heaven thank you for Hon. Manmeet Bhullar and the role he fills in his constituency and in the legislature. We ask Lord that you would provide the resources needed to bring his goals to fruition. May you lead him to the relationships necessary to help see his plans to completion. Give him rest and refreshing times with friends and family. Amen

Minister of Human Services

Manmeet Bhullar was elected to his second term as MLA for Calgary-Greenway on April 23, 2012. On December 13, 2013, Mr. Bhullar was sworn in as Minister Human Services. He previously served as Minister of Service Alberta.

Mr. Bhullar was formerly Political Minister-Calgary, Parliamentary Assistant for Advanced Education and Technology and Parliamentary Assistant for Municipal Affairs.

Mr. Bhullar serves as representative for Calgary-Greenway, but his community involvement began long before he was elected to office. He created a youth development organization with the hope to empower young people and encourage participation in positive acts of community service rather than turning to harmful activities. His community service has earned him many awards including the Alberta Centennial Medal, the Centennial Medallion, and the Athabasca University Leadership Award.

Formerly, Mr. Bhullar served as a member of the following standing committees of the Legislative Assembly

• Legislative Offices
• Community Services
• Members’ Services

Mr. Bhullar has also served as a member of the Select Special Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee. He was the representative for the Alberta government on the board for WorldSkills 2009.

Mr. Bhullar has also carried the following legislation during his time as MLA:

• Bill 7,the Post-secondary Learning Amendment Act, 2008
• Bill 30, the Alberta Evidence Amendment Act, 2008
• Bill 4, the Post-secondary Learning Amendment Act, 2009 – allowing Mount Royal and MacEwan Colleges to become Universities.
• Bill 6, the Emergency Management Amendment Act, 2010

Motion 508, a motion encouraging innovation in education (27th Legislature, 2nd Session)

Honourable Naresh Bhardwaj - MLA for Edmonton-Ellerslie

God, it is truly with thankful hearts that we bring our Alberta leaders to you in prayer today and especially the Honourable Naresh Bhardwaj. We pray that you would give him strength and the courage to lead in a way that brings dignity and respect to all people. May your peace surround him and his family. Amen

Associate Minister – Services for Persons with Disabilities

Mr. Bhardwaj was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Edmonton-Ellerslie on April 23, 2012. He was sworn-in as Associate Minister – Services for Persons with Disabilities on December 13, 2013.

In addition to his duties as an MLA, Mr. Bhardwaj was previously the chair of the capital region caucus. He also served on the following committees: the Legislative Review Committee, the Standing Committee on Private Bills, the Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future as well as the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing.

Mr. Bhardwaj moved to Alberta with his family in 1976. He became a journeyman automotive mechanic in 1983 before going back to school and graduating from the U of A with a double major. Naresh then spent the next 18 years working as a teacher in Pincher Creek, Whitecourt, Red Deer, Calgary and Edmonton, teaching predominantly automotives, mathematics and physical education.

Mr. Bhardwaj has been actively involved with Edmonton communities for over 36 years, serving on many associations, establishing Youth Link, a youth employment training program, and coaching soccer at the community league level and for Juventus U-18.

Mr. Bhardwaj was married in 1982 to his wife, Sunita, and has three children: Sarah, Stephen and Neeraj.