MLA Darshan Kang; Calgary-McCall

Heavenly Father, we ask that you give strength to MLA Darshan Kang for the many decisions he must make that will affect the people of this province. Thank you that you also give him the wisdom and ability to clearly understand the complex issues in the everyday work before him. In all he does may he sense your presence and know that you are with him. In Your Name, Amen

Mr. Kang was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-McCall on April 23, 2012.

He has served as a member of the following standing committees of the Legislative Assembly:

• Standing Committee on Public Accounts
• Standing Committee of Private Bills
• Standing Committee on Families and Communities

Mr. Kang has also served as critic for Transportation and Service Alberta.

Prior to his service as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Mr. Kang worked as a commercial realtor. Among his professional accomplishments are being voted top realtor within his company and fifth-highest performer within Alberta.

In addition to being actively involved with the Sikh community, Mr. Kang is or has been involved in the following community organizations:

• Saddle Ridge Community League
• Castleridge-Falconridge Community League
• Martindale-Taradale Community League
• Northeast Centre of Community Society
• Alberta Children’s Hospital
• Heart and Stroke Foundation

Mr. Kang is originally from India and completed a premedical degree at the University of Indore prior to emigrating to Canada in 1970.

Mr. Kang and his wife, Sharanjit, live in Chestermere, Alberta.

March 18. 2013

MLA Linda Johnson; Calgary-Glenmore

Father in Heaven we are asking for your favour and blessing to be upon MLA Ms. Linda Johnson representing the people of Glenmore in Calgary.  We also ask that you would give her insight as she serves on very important committees in regards to the Stewardship of Resources and the Regulation Review of our Education Act. May she find a new measure of your wisdom being afforded her for the work she engages in from day to day. In Jesus Name, Amen

Linda Johnson was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Glenmore on April 23, 2012.

In May, 2012 Linda was appointed

• deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Private Bills
• member of the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship
• government representative to Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures

Additional committee responsibilities, include

• The Select Special Conflicts of Interest Act Review Committee
• The Education Act regulation review committee

Previously she has served as a member on the following committees:

• Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Standing Committee on Families and Communities
• Results Based Budgeting, Early Childhood Development

Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Ms. Johnson attended Saint Mary’s University, where she received a Bachelor of Commerce degree.

Ms. Johnson has extensive experience in business environments, having worked in oil and gas, direct marketing and the automotive industry.

A proud and active member of her church and community, Ms. Johnson continues to encourage volunteer engagement and is a strong advocate for literacy. 

Ms. Johnson, her husband, Al and their three children have lived in southwest Calgary since 1986.

September 26, 2013

Honourable Jeff Johnson; Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater

Dear Lord, please bless the MLA for Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater, Hon. Jeff Johnson. We pray that you would give him the necessary knowledge to make the best decisions for the communities he is responsible for. We ask that you would be with him and his family, protecting them and keeping them safe. We pray these things in Jesus Name, Amen

Minister of Education

Jeff Johnson was elected to his first term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Athabasca-Sturgeon-Redwater (formerly Athabasca-Redwater) on March 3, 2008.

In May 2012, Mr. Johnson was appointed Minister of Education. This appointment builds on Mr. Johnson’s experience as co-chair of the pioneering Inspiring Education committee. He has previously served as Minister of Infrastructure, Minister responsible for the Oil Sands Secretariat and Parliamentary Assistant to the Treasury Board.

In addition to his regular duties as an MLA and the Minister of Education, he serves as a member of the Treasury Board, the Agenda and Priorities Committee and the Operations Committee.

Jeff has experience working in both the financial markets as a futures trading floor pit boss and in building a series of successful small businesses. As owner and president of the largest rural Xerox sales agency in Western Canada, he was recognized as the Xerox Canada Agent of the Year three times and selected to be one of six members appointed to the National Agent Council.

As a former coach and trainer, Jeff has enjoyed working with hockey players at the junior, college and pro levels and learned the importance of mentoring and teamwork.

Jeff has a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and he continues to remain an active member of his community through various organizations like his local Rotary Club and his family’s church.

He and his wife, Kim along with their three young children continue to live in beautiful Athabasca.

October 18, 2012

MLA Matt Jeneroux; Edmonton-South West

Dear Heavenly Father, we pray for MLA Matt Jeneroux that you will direct his thoughts and plans as he serves on the Regulatory Review Committee as it relates to the Education Act. We thank you that as he is aware of the many issues surrounding the education of youth in our province, that you will give him and his colleagues the strategies needed to fulfill their goals and  objectives. We also ask that you would fill Mr. Jeneroux with your peace and bring your blessings upon him and his family members. Amen

Matt Jeneroux was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-South West on April 23, 2012. He is current Chair of the Youth Secretariat and Youth Advisory Panel, a member of the Treasury Board, Co-Chair of the Alberta Film Advisory Council and also serves as a member of the Education Act Regulatory Review Committee and the Electricity Retail Market Review Committee Implementation team. He is also a member of the Standing Committee on Families and Communities and the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

Mr. Jeneroux was also successful in passing a Private Members’ Bill on Compassionate Care Leave (2012) which provides a leave of absence for caregivers taking care of their terminally ill loved ones, the first of its kind in Alberta. The Bill received royal assent from the Governor General in June 2013.

Born and raised in Edmonton, Mr. Jeneroux attended the University of Alberta, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2004.

Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Mr. Jeneroux worked with the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, Alberta Blue Cross, the Ministry of Alberta Environment, and the Government of Canada.

Mr. Jeneroux has volunteered with numerous organizations, including United Way, Alberta Winter Games, Rotary Club, Blackmud Creek Community League, Canadian Blood Services, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Federal Government Youth Network. Additionally, Mr. Jeneroux chaired the city of Edmonton Naming Committee from 2007 to 2012 and also participated on the Board of Directors for Goodwill Industries Alberta.

Mr. Jeneroux is a father to two young daughters.

November 1, 2013

Honourable Sandra Jansen; Calgary-North West

Heavenly Father, we thank you that you are concerned about Hon. Sandra Jensen’s well-being and ask today for your blessing on her life. We also ask that you give her wisdom for decision making and a clear understanding of the things that are of most importance to attend to. Surround her with those who share her compassion and care for the individuals and families she serves in Calgary-Northwest and give her the ability to bring them into success and growth both personally and in the business sector.  Amen

Associate Minister of Family and Community Safety

Sandra Jansen was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-North West on April 23, 2012. She was sworn in as Associate Minister of Family and Community Safety on August 1, 2013. She serves on the Standing Committee on Families and Communities.

Previous appointments include serving as member of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing, Deputy Government Whip, chair of the Calgary caucus and co-chair of the Alberta Film Advisory Council.

Ms. Jansen earned a broadcasting diploma from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and later studied French at McGill University. She also holds a master’s degree in professional communications from Royal Roads University. Ms. Jansen is an experienced journalist, having spent 23 years in the field, including 10 years as a national news anchor at CTV News Channel in Toronto. She also hosted the City TV Calgary show Your City from 2007 to 2010. Ms. Jansen later served as Premier Alison Redford’s southern Alberta communications manager from October 2011 to March 2012.

A passionate advocate and dedicated volunteer, over the years she has been a spokesperson and a volunteer for the United Way, Calgary Health Trust, and Ronald McDonald House and a board member at the Calgary Girls’ School. Ms. Jansen is an acrylic artist and has donated more than 50 paintings to various charities in the Calgary area.

November 1, 2013

MLA Mary Anne Jablonski; Red Deer-North

Father in Heaven we thank you for MLA Mary Anne Jablonski , elected to represent the constituents of Red Deer – North. We pray that you would give her fresh insight as she seeks to fulfill her role in the Legislature for the varied needs of her constituents. We are grateful for the many years she has served here in Alberta and the wisdom she is able to share with those who are new to provincial leadership. In Your Name, Amen

Deputy Chair of Committees

Mary Anne Jablonski was elected to her fifth term as Member of the Legislative Assembly for Red Deer-North on April 23, 2012. She was appointed deputy chair of the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund to the Standing Committee on Families and Communities in May, 2012.

Additionally she served as Minister of Seniors and Community Supports from March 12, 2008 to October 12, 2011. During her third term she served as chair of the Cabinet Policy Committee on Community Services and as a member of the Legislative Review Committee.

She has also served on the following committees:

• Standing Committee on Community Development (chair)
• Alberta Mental Health Board Liaison and Advisory Committee (chair)
• Standing Policy Committee on Justice and Government Services (chair)
• Youth Secretariat (chair)
• Corrections Review Committee (chair)
• Strengthening Alberta´s Role in Confederation Committee (co-chair)
• FOIPP Review Committee (deputy chair)
• Private Bills Committee
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts
• Standing Policy Committee on Health and Community Living
• Committee on Collaboration and Innovation
• Crystal Meth Task Force Committee
• Special Standing Committee on Members´ Services

Mrs. Jablonski was born and raised in St. Catharines, Ontario. She has three sisters and one brother. She was awarded a scholarship to attend Brock University, where she studied psychology and political science. Married since 1971, Mrs. Jablonski and her husband, Bob, have three grown children and five grandchildren.

Mrs. Jablonski and her family moved to Alberta in 1980, when her husband was transferred to Penhold with the Canadian Forces. From 1982 to 1985 she helped to successfully lobby the federal government for a dental plan for the families of the Canadian Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police as well as for the rights of spouses of military members.

Before she entered politics, Mrs. Jablonski and her husband owned and operated a very successful fiberglass manufacturing company. They employed 18 people and manufactured various fiberglass projects, including a 70-foot dinosaur, waterslides, jet boats and RV parts. 

Her work experience also includes seven years in the banking industry.

Mrs. Jablonski is an energetic and enthusiastic member of her community. She has been involved in various community groups, sporting associations, church boards, the Catholic Women’s League, Girl Guides of Canada and the Chamber of Commerce. In 1999 as a member of the ITC (formerly Toast Mistresses) Mrs. Jablonski won the international speech competition in Kobe, Japan.

In her free time Mrs. Jablonski enjoys camping and hiking with her family.

March 18, 2013

Honourable Ken Hughes; Calgary-West

Thank you Lord God that you give Hon. Ken Hughes favor with all the individuals he meets and works with today. We pray that you give him wisdom as he makes decisions and also give him the strategies he needs to put new initiatives in place. Lord, we ask that you would give Mr. Hughes the rest he requires to be most effective and bless him and his family with many good and relaxing times together.  In Jesus Name, Amen

Minister of Energy

Ken Hughes was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Calgary-West on April 23, 2012. He was appointed to cabinet on May 8, 2012, and serves as Minister of Energy.

Mr. Hughes holds an undergraduate degree in agriculture from the University of Alberta. He also has a master’s in public administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University (1981-1983) with a focus on public and corporate finance.

Mr. Hughes is an entrepreneur and the founder of the insurance brokerage firm Alpine Insurance & Financial, Inc., with offices across Alberta. As a successful businessman Mr. Hughes is keenly aware of how the ebb and flow of the economy affects Alberta families. Mr. Hughes is a certified director (ICD.D) and has worked in several business sectors, including property and casualty insurance, energy and energy services and information technology.

Mr. Hughes has a distinguished public service career, which includes serving as the founding chair of Alberta Health Services (2008-2011), chair of the former Headwaters Health Authority (1994-1995) and federal Member of Parliament for the rural riding of Macleod (1988-1993), including appointment as Parliamentary Assistant to the Deputy Prime Minister. Earlier in his career he gained significant experience working at provincial, national and international levels while serving in the positions of senior adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and executive assistant to the Alberta Minister of Education.

Mr. Hughes’ family roots extend deeply in the Alberta cattle industry, prior to the creation of the province of Alberta. Personally, he has served in leadership roles with community organizations as well as volunteering across the province. This includes work on voluntary and community boards like the Lethbridge Community College Board of Governors, the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede Board, the Calgary Counseling Centre, the 2002 Kananaskis Summit Advisory Committee, the 2005 and 2008 Alberta World Cup of Cross-Country Skiing Organizing Committees, the Calgary World Fair Bid Committee Board and the Calgary Technologies Inc. Board. He is the first non-U.S. citizen to be asked to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Midwest Research Institute in Kansas City. As part of a group of 37 Albertans Mr. Hughes and his son, Aidan, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in August 2011, raising over $1 million for orthopedic services in Alberta.

Mr. Hughes and his wife, Denise, have three children.

October 4, 2012