Honourable Jonathan Denis - MLA for Calgary-Acadia

We pray this day especially for Honourable Jonathan Denis to whom You have given in particular the responsibility for Calgary – Acadia.  We are grateful for his strong leadership and the genuine care he has shown for people of all walks of life.  May he experience Your blessing and presence.  Amen.

Minister of Justice and Solicitor General

Jonathan Denis, QC, was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Calgary-Acadia on April 23, 2012, and currently serves as Minister of Justice and Solicitor General. In addition, Jonathan serves as Deputy Government House Leader and is a member of the Treasury Board.

Jonathan moved to Calgary in 2000 from Saskatchewan, where he was born in Regina. Prior to moving to Alberta, Jonathan obtained degrees in commerce and law. Before serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Jonathan was a senior associate with the Calgary office of a national law firm, specializing in litigation and government relations.

In 2009 Jonathan was appointed a Queen’s Counsel of Alberta. He was also the president of a communications firm and a director of the Institute for Public Sector Accountability, a nonprofit organization founded to promote transparency and accountability in the public sector.

Jonathan previously served as Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, where he exceeded targets for affordable housing and reducing homelessness while reducing spending by 39 per cent. He has also served as Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security and parliamentary assistant for Energy.

An active part of his community, Jonathan has been a volunteer with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Habitat for Humanity and the Canadian Cancer Society. Jonathan has also been a health care advocate for patients throughout Calgary. In 2010, he was recognized by Avenue Magazine as one of Calgary’s Top 40 under 40.

In his spare time Jonathan enjoys keeping active and spending time with family and friends. Jonathan is also an avid fan of both of the Calgary Flames and Calgary Stampeders.

Ms. Alana DeLong - MLA for Calgary-Bow

Heavenly Father, we ask that You go before MLA Ms. Alana Delong as she serves in the constituency of Calgary – Bow.  May she sense Your guidance to key people and resources to get her important tasks done today.  Thank You for Your covering of protection over her and peace throughout her day.  Amen.

Alana DeLong was elected to her fourth term on April 23, 2012, as the Member of the Legislative Assembly representing the constituency of Calgary-Bow.Ms. DeLong is a member of the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices, Standing Committee on Private Bills and Standing Committee on Families and Communities. She is chair of the Seniors Advisory Council for Alberta. As well, Ms. DeLong is chair of Alberta’s delegation of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) and vice-president of PNWER. She previously co-chaired the 2010 PNWER Calgary Summit Host Committee.

Born in Nelson, British Columbia, Ms. Alana DeLong obtained her bachelor of science (honours) in mathematics with a minor in theatre from the University of British Columbia. She then moved to Calgary, where she attended courses at the University of Calgary in their computer science master’s program.

Ms. DeLong has more than 20 years of experience in the field of information technology and has worked for many leading high-tech computer firms in Calgary, serving as president of Sterling Rock Systems. Alana was the first female computer mainframe salesperson with Sperry Univac. She was also the first female marketing manager with Canadian General Electric.

An active member of her community, some of Ms. DeLong’s past contributions have been as president of Tuesday Nooners Toastmasters and as a singer with the Calgary Opera Chorus. She has campaigned extensively for the Red Cross Society, the Cancer Foundation, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Flowers of Hope and various municipal, national and provincial elections. She hosted a TV ski program and has been an actress with Theatre Calgary.

For more than 30 years Ms. DeLong has called Calgary-Bow home. Alana enjoys the outdoors and has hiked the province’s mountains and canoed most of the rivers in southern Alberta. Alana DeLong has two grown children, Samantha and James.

Honourable Cal Dallas - MLA for Red Deer-South

Lord God, our prayer today for Honourable Cal Dallas as he represents the folks of Red Deer – South is that he will have Your wisdom to balance the needs of the rural region and growing city of Red Deer.   Thank You that You lead him to important and key individuals as he makes critical decisions.   Bless him and his family.  In Jesus Name,  Amen.

Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations

Cal Dallas was first elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Red Deer-South on March 3, 2008, and thereafter elected for a second term on April 23, 2012.

Mr. Dallas’s first appointment to cabinet was on October 12, 2011, as the Minister of Intergovernmental, International and Aboriginal Relations. He was reappointed as Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations on May 8, 2012.

Mr. Dallas has explored trade and investment opportunities in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the United States. Mr. Dallas also works within the province to inform Alberta’s innovative companies about business opportunities abroad as well as the supports available to help export-ready companies succeed in the global marketplace.

Prior to entering cabinet, Mr. Dallas served as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Alberta Finance and Enterprise and then to the Minister of Alberta Environment. In addition, he co-chaired Climate Change Central, was vice-chair of the Regulatory Enhancement Project Task Force and served on the Cabinet Policy Committee on Energy.

Prior to serving in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Mr. Dallas was executive director of the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, and before that he worked in the printing and publishing industry for 25 years, including nine years as publisher of the Red Deer Express.

An active member of his community, Mr. Dallas has been involved in the following organizations:

• Red Deer Rotary Club, director
• Alberta Chamber of Commerce, vice-president (volunteer)
• United Way of Central Alberta, director
• Innisfail Golf Association, president
• Red Deer College, board of governors
• STARS Capital Campaign
• Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness

In recognition of his community involvement, Mr. Dallas received the Canadian Chamber of Commerce volunteer of the year award in 2002 and the Queens Jubilee Medal in 2003. Additionally, he received the Bill Draayer award from the Alberta Weekly Newspapers´ Association in 2004, and the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005.

Mr. Dallas and his wife, Jacqueline, live in Red Deer.

Ms. Christine Cusanelli - MLA for Calgary-Currie

Father in Heaven, we thank You for MLA Christine Cusanelli and the skills and strength of character she brings to her role alongside our Premier.  We pray as she goes back to her constituency over the summer that she will find Your guidance as she seeks to see the region grow and experience success.  Give her refreshing times with all the special relationships in her life.

Christine Cusanelli was elected to her first term as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Currie on April 23, 2012. She was sworn in as Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation on May 15, 2012, a position she held until February 4, 2013.

She currently serves as a member of the Standing Committee on Private Bills and the Standing Committee on Families and Communities.

She has a bachelor of education degree from Faculté Saint-Jean, University of Alberta, and a masters degree in psychology from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. She started her career as a teacher with the Calgary Catholic school district, where she taught elementary and junior high students in French immersion and other educational settings. Most recently Ms. Cusanelli led St. Michael’s school (K-9) in implementing two international baccalaureate programs. She has been a keen supporter and advocate for students with special needs and learning challenges.

She became a principal at age 32, placing her among the youngest principals in Calgary. In this role she spent the past several years working to create bonds with students, their families and the broader community through outreach that has included visiting seniors’ homes, working with Inn from The Cold and opening the school up to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary.

Ms. Cusanelli is a runner, cyclist and swimmer. She has participated in triathlons, marathons and other races in the pursuit of personal health and to fund raise for various charities. She spends time golfing, travelling, reading and enjoying the arts with her daughter.

Ron Casey - MLA for Banff-Cochrane

Lord God, we are grateful today for MLA Ron Casey and pray for him as he serves the people of Banff – Cochrane.   Thank You for giving him an awareness of Your presence and strength as he meets the needs in this jewel of a community in our province.  Thank You as well for all the resources he needs for the projects on hand.   Keep him safe in his travels.   Amen.

Ron Casey was elected to his first term as a Member of the Legislature on April 23, 2012. 

Ron and his family have resided in Canmore for the past 38 years. His wife, Pennie has been a Dental Hygienist in Canmore for over 30 years. They have two grown children, Alison and Shannon.

They are also blessed now to be proud grandparents of baby Casey. Casey along with his parents, Shannon and  Chad, live close by in the Town of Cochrane.

Ron is a Master Electrician and operated B&C Electric Ltd. from 1978 until 1990. Since then he has focused most of his business activities in the development area, building numerous industrial buildings as well as several houses and small commercial developments.

On top of his business activities, he have served as a member of Town Council from October 1995. He was Mayor of the Town of Canmore from 1998 – 2001 and after a three year break was re-elected Mayor in 2004, 2007 and 2010.

For recreation he has been actively involved in Karate for 30 years and is currently a 4th degree black belt in Chito Ryu Karate - owning and operating a training facility for many years. He also spends as much time as he can on his motorcycles during the summer months.

Mr. Wayne Cao - MLA for Calgary-Fort

Thank You Lord God in Heaven for MLA Mr. Wayne Cao as he works diligently to carry out the many tasks before him today.   May he rest in Your unfailing strength and ability in the busyness of his schedule.   Be with him and his family and may they enjoy their summer season today.   Grant him good health.  We pray this in Your Name,  Amen.

Wayne Cao was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on March 11, 1997, as the MLA for the Calgary-Fort constituency and re-elected on March 11, 2001, November 22, 2004, March 3, 2008, and April 23, 2012. On April 14, 2008, he was elected to the position of Deputy Speaker and Chair of Committees, a position he held for the remainder of the 27th Legislature. He currently serves as a member of the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship.

Mr. Cao has served as chair of the following standing committees:

• Alberta’s Economic Future
• Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund
• Education
• Families and Communities
• Legislative Offices
• Private Bills
• Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Public Accounts

Additionally, he has served as the Cabinet member liaison to caucus for southern Alberta and as a member of the following:

• Cabinet Policy Committee on Government Services
• Child care legislation review
• Committee on Lifelong Learning
• Court Service Workers Review Committee
• Employment Standards Regulations Review
• Government caucus in Calgary
• Government Member, Lougheed House Historical Preservation Society
• Government Representative, Calgary Diversity Leadership Council
• Government Strategy Team on Private Members’ Bills
• Legislative Review Committee
• MLA Committee on Strengthening Alberta’s Role in Confederation
• Natural Heritage Environment Protection Legislation Review
• Northland Athabasca School District Review
• Standing Policy Committee on Learning
• Subcommittees of Supply and Designated Supply

Mr. Cao has brought forward several legislation changes related to maternity/parental leave increase, minimum wage increase, employment standards for domestic workers, medical benefits for severely handicapped people, seniors’ assistance programs and the selection of Alberta’s official song.

He has lived, worked and travelled extensively in many parts of the world: Southeast Asia, Western Europe, Australia, Mexico, the USA and Canada.

Mr. Cao received training in engineering, computing technology and business management from various corporations and institutions such as the universities of Auckland, Saigon and Waterloo and continuing education programs through Shell Petroleum in Canada and the USA. He is a certified information technology professional, holding ISP designation from the Canadian Information Processing Society.

He worked for the Shell petroleum company for 26 years in many specialist and management roles before early retirement in 1997 after winning his first election. He taught evening courses for the Association of Engineers of Saigon-Vietnam and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.

Mr. Cao is a past director of Kimson Consulting Services and Canadasia Management Consulting, a past chair of the Data Warehouse Technology Special Interest Group of the Canadian Information Processing Professional Society and past member of the Data Processing Management Association of America.

He has participated in and held memberships in various society and charity organizations, including:

• Calgary Minor Soccer Association
• Canadian Club of Calgary
• For the Love of Children Society
• Habitat for Humanity
• Royal Canadian Legion, Ogden Branch
• The Future Group
• United Nations Association
• Wildrose Lions Club

Mr. Cao also has worked with Calgary community TV and has spent time advising cultural events. He was a volunteer/session leader with the Junior Achievement stay-in-school programs; judge for high school debates, science and heritage fairs; a volunteer/contributor with Meals-for-Homeless and Inn-from-the-Cold; and a participant and fundraiser for various charity events.

His contributions to the community have been recognized through awards and honorary membership from For The Love of Children Society, the Hart Foundation, Friends of Elliston Park Society, the Ogden Seniors Association, Fort Calgary Historic Foundation, Visminsa Filipino Society, Indo-Canada Association, Hispanic Arts Society, Hoysun Association, Millican-Ogden Association, Calgary Minor Soccer Association and Chinese Music Development Society. He has received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal and the Alberta Centennial Medal.

Mr. Cao enjoys playing racket sports, downhill skiing, fishing, playing music and singing, history reading, language learning and martial arts practice.

He has established his home in Calgary for over the last 30 years with his wife, Kim Hoang, an engineer and banking professional, and their three sons: William (MBA; law, University of Calgary), Winston (engineer, University of Waterloo) and Ulysses (biochemist, Queen’s University). They have one grandson so far.

Honourable Robin Campbell - MLA for West Yellowhead

Lord You are a faithful God and I thank You that as Honourable Robin Campbell goes about his day that he would be aware that You care about the important work that is before him and will be faithful to give him the guidance and wisdom he needs to successfully carry out his duties.  Amen.

Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development

Government House Leader

Mr. Campbell was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for West Yellowhead on April 23, 2012. Mr. Campbell was appointed as Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development and Government House Leader on December 13, 2013. He previously served as Minister of Aboriginal Relations, Deputy House Leader and as a member of the Treasury Board.

Prior to becoming a Cabinet Minister, Mr. Campbell served as Chief Government Whip and Deputy Government Whip. He also chaired the Northern Alberta Development Council.

Mr. Campbell attended Laurentian University from 1974 to 1978 graduating with a Bachelor of Science. He spent many years lecturing at Universities and conferences across the country about labour relations issues.

Prior to entering provincial politics, Mr. Campbell was the president of the local United Mine Workers of America and worked as an appeals commissioner with the Workers’ Compensation Board. He was also a member of the Alberta Labour Relations Board and the Environmental Protection Advisory Committee.

Mr. Campbell was also a key participant in the Cheviot hearings, representing the Hinton and District Chamber of Commerce, Alberta Council for Sustainable Communities and the Environment and the United Mine Workers.

In the summer of 2013, Mr. Campbell was recognized by Treaty 7 Management Corporation and supporting Chiefs for his work with First Nations. During a ceremony in Calgary, Mr. Campbell was given a ceremonial headdress and the Blackfoot name Mak-Koyii-Sa-Pii, meaning "Wolf Charger."

Mr. Campbell currently resides in Jasper.