MLA Rick Fraser, Calgary-South East

Dear Lord, we ask for protection and love to be upon MLA Rick Fraser. Grant him wisdom and clarity of mind daily both at home and at work. May he feel your presence and wisdom when making decisions that affect the province of Alberta. Bless him and his family with health, love and understanding. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Mr. Fraser currently serves as Deputy Government Whip and is a member of several committees including, the standing committees on Resource Stewardship, Families and Communities and Public Accounts and the Strategic Tourism and Marketing Council.

Like so many Canadians, one of Mr. Fraser´s passions is the game of hockey. Upon graduating high school, he was drafted eighth overall in the 1994 East Coast Hockey League free agent draft by the Columbus Chill. He has enjoyed sharing his love for teamwork and volunteerism by coaching various sports teams in and around his community.

Growing up, his dad was involved in the Calgary business community and instilled in Mr. Fraser the values of honesty, integrity and compassion, not to mention getting the job done right the first time.

After three and a half years of college, he earned his advanced-care paramedic diploma in the University of Alberta Faculty of Augustana paramedic program. As an advanced-care paramedic, he was responsible for all advanced life-saving procedures outside of a hospital setting combined with advanced treat-and-release, and treat-and-refer protocols for the sick and injured anywhere in Alberta. In addition, Mr. Fraser has served the public for 12 years working for the ambulance service.

Mr. Fraser was a leader in his profession, operating as crew chief in Calgary and teaching advanced cardiac life support to EMS staff, physicians, nurses and students at Lakeland College in Camrose. From 2008 to 2010 he served as president of Calgary paramedics. Additionally, he sat on the Alberta College of Paramedics committee that is responsible for developing a critical care paramedic program and overseeing continuing education for all EMS staff in Alberta. Mr. Fraser also advocates for new paramedic students as the practicum co-ordinator for the Calgary zone of Lakeland College.

Born and raised in Calgary, Rick Fraser is now raising two young sons with his wife in Calgary’s southeast side.

December 18, 2012

MLA Rod Fox, Lacombe-Ponoka

Lord, we are grateful for MLA Rod Fox. Continue to give him vision, direction and steps necessary to move our province forward. May he feel encouraged as he serves the people of his community and our province. Give him the strength and endurance he needs and let him know that his efforts are appreciated. Fill his heart with your grace and peace and may his family be aware of your love and care for them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Rod Fox was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lacombe-Ponoka on April 23, 2012. He was appointed to the Standing Committee on Private Bills on May 24, 2012, and to the Standing Committee on Families and Communities on May 28, 2012.

Mr. Fox was born and raised in Whitecourt and currently calls Lacombe home. His professional background is in insurance, finance, marketing, managing and business relations. Until his election to the Legislative Assembly he was sales manager for the largest Canadian-owned insurance premium finance company in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

Mr. Fox has been heavily involved in federal politics in the riding of Wetaskiwin. He has also been active at the local level, having served as a director on the Lacombe Economic Development Board from 2006 to 2007 and having run for Lacombe Town Council in 2007.

June 6, 2012

MLA Heather Forsyth, Calgary-Fish Creek

Lord, thank you for MLA Mrs. Heather Forsyth and all she has done as she serves her community. We pray that you will help strengthen her, and your hand continue to guide her. May she be shown encouragement from you, Lord. We also pray for her family, that they will feel your presence in their lives and that they will be blessed with health and safety. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Heather Forsyth was first elected MLA for Calgary-Fish Creek in 1993. On January 4, 2010, Mrs. Forsyth joined the Wildrose Caucus. She was appointed to the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services on May 24, 2012.

In addition to her role as MLA, she previously served on the following standing committees of the Legislative Assembly:

• Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Public Accounts
• Public Health and Safety

Previously she served as Chair of the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund and as a member of the Standing Committees on Private Bills and on Government Services.

As a result of her work with children, in 2002 she was named Reader’s Digest Canadian Hero. One of her greatest honours was being bestowed the Blackfoot name Aahsoikinnah-kaiki, which means healing woman.

Prior to becoming an MLA, Mrs. Forsyth worked as a sales and marketing manager in the advertising industry for 15 years, during which she received the Silver Marketing Award and the 1989 President’s Award.

Prior to entering provincial politics, she also volunteered with community groups, the Children’s Wish Foundation, the provincial Youth Justice Committee, the Alberta Social Services Appeal Advisory Board and the Calgary Board of Health.

Mrs. Forsyth is an avid reader and enjoys playing golf, gardening and spending time with her family and friends. She is also the founder and current chair of the Peanut Butter Classic Society, a non-profit organization which puts on a golf tournament yearly to raise much-needed funding for charities that help women and children. A native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, she lives in Calgary with her husband, Gordon, and has two sons.

June 6, 2012

MLA Jacquie Fenske, Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville

Father, we are thankful for MLA Ms. Jacquie Fenske. Thank you for her efforts to seek, to improve the quality of life for our Albertans. May she feel encouraged as she serves the people of her community and our province. Fill her heart with grace and peace and may her family be aware of your love and care for them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Jacquie Fenske was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville on April 23, 2012. She was appointed to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts on April 24, 2012. She was appointed to the Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future and the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship on April 28, 2012.

Ms Fenske earned a bachelor of education degree at the University of Alberta and taught for Edmonton public schools prior to operating her family’s group of companies, Fifendekel. In addition to her teaching and business pursuits, she served on Strathcona county council on two separate occasions, from 1995 to 1998 and from 2004 to 2012.

A third-generation Strathcona county resident, Ms Fenske has deep roots and a passion for her community. Ms Fenske has served on numerous provincial and local boards in the past decade. She was regional director of the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies as well as having served as president of the Josephburg Agricultural Society. Ms Fenske has also served as the president of the Fort Saskatchewan Junior B Hockey club but her passion lies in the performing arts. She has directed several musical productions including Grease and Guys and Dolls.

Ms Fenske is an active volunteer with Northlands. She lives southeast of Josephburg near Elk Island Park with her family.

June 1, 2012

Honourable Kyle Fawcett, Calgary-Klein

Thank you, Lord for the MLA Kyle Fawcett and his service to the people of this province. Lord, we pray that you will be with him, helping him make decisions, whether they are simple or hard. Be with him as he leads the community that they may see the man of character he is. Be with his family too, oh Lord, may their home be strong and stable. Be with MLA Kyle Fawcett, may everyone know his good name through his actions. Amen.

 
Kyle Fawcett was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Klein on April 23, 2012. On May 8, 2012 he was appointed Associate Minister of Finance.

Mr. Fawcett previously served as parliamentary assistant for Treasury Board and Enterprise and as a member of the following:

• Treasury Board
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts
• Standing Committee on Finance
• Government Legislation Review Committee
• Youth Secretariat (chair)
• Alberta Delegate Council for the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER)

As well, Mr. Fawcett served as Chair of the Cabinet Policy Committee on the Economy on the Standing Committees on Health and Private Bills and the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services. Prior to serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Mr. Fawcett provided research consultant services in support of both private industry and nonprofit projects.

In addition, Mr. Fawcett served as a public school board trustee from 2004 to 2007. As trustee he served in a variety of capacities, including:

• chair of both the audit committee and the policy committee
• board liaison to the Calgary Board of Education/Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA) Liaison Committee
• board representative to the ATA collective agreement interpretation committee

A graduate of the University of Calgary, Mr. Fawcett has a bachelor of arts degree in political science and economics.

Born and raised in Calgary, Mr. Fawcett has kept active in the community coaching youth baseball and football and mentoring junior and senior high school youth in northeast Calgary as part of the Alberta Mentorship Foundation for Youth program.

June 6, 2012

MLA David Eggen, Edmonton-Calder

Lord, we thank you for the strength you have given to MLA David Eggen. We pray that you would continue to help him in making wise decisions for the benefit of the people he is leading. We pray that through the tough times you would give him the courage to stand strong and work for the good of his people. Bless and fill his whole family with health and peace. May they be protected and full of strength in their everyday lives.  Amen!

 

David Eggen was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Calder on April 23, 2012. He previously represented the constituency from 2004 to 2008 and served as the ND’s critic for energy, education, environment and sustainable resource development.

Mr. Eggen is a member of the following Standing Committees:

• Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund
• Legislative Offices
• Alberta’s Economic Future

Mr. Eggen was educated at the University of Alberta, where he received a bachelor of education degree in 1984. He then went to Zimbabwe, where he taught for three years. Upon his return to Edmonton he taught at a number of local schools from 1990 to 2004.

Mr. Eggen has also worked in the field of public health care as executive director of Friends of Medicare. He is also a member of the Canadian Health Coalition’s board of directors.

In addition to his contributions to education and health care, Mr. Eggen is a trustee with the Forum for Young Albertans and a chair leader of the Canadian Paraplegic Association.

The Eggen family has lived and worked in northwest Edmonton for more than 20 years.

July 13, 2012

Honourable Wayne Drysdale, Grande Prairie-Wapiti

Dear Father God, we give thanks for the Honourable Wayne Drysdale, MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti and all he does for this province. We pray that you will give him wisdom and guide him through the tough decisions he has to make from day to day. Help him to take the time he needs for rest and relaxation. In Your name, Amen.

 

Minister of Infrastructure

Mr. Drysdale was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Grande Prairie-Wapiti on April 23, 2012. On May 8, 2012 he was appointed Minister of Infrastructure.

Previously Mr. Drysdale had served as deputy whip and was also a member of the following Standing Committees of the Legislative Assembly:

• Private Bills
• Finance

In addition, Mr. Drysdale is a member of the Treasury Board. Previous committee involvement includes serving on the cabinet policy committee on Public Safety and Services and the Standing Committees on Public Accounts and Resources and Environment.

Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Mr. Drysdale spent 15 years as councilor for the municipal district of Greenview and served as chair of both the Agricultural Service Board and the Municipal Planning Commission.

Active in his community, Mr. Drysdale has served on the following boards:

• Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Medical Service (vice-chair and founding member)
• Community Futures Grande Prairie & Region
• Grovedale/South Wapiti Recreation Board
• Alberta Milk Producers
• Alberta Beef Producers
• Grovedale Volunteer Fire Department

Mr. Drysdale and his wife, Sherry, live on the family farm in the Grande Prairie area. Their daughter, Jodie, along with her husband, Don, and daughter Tory also live in the region. In 2001, following the tragic death of their son, Troy, the family established a bursary for local students pursuing a career in emergency services, fire or EMS in Northern Alberta. To date the bursary has helped fill 49 emergency response positions in the region.

June 6, 2012