Ms. Christine Cusanelli - MLA for Calgary-Currie

Father in Heaven, we ask You to bring Your blessing upon MLA Honourable Christine Cusanelli.   We are grateful for her and all the work she does as she serves representing the people of Calgary – Currie.   We pray that You would grant her Your leading and guiding as she plans and organizes today.  We also pray that she would be aware that the decisions she makes are bringing about effective changes.  Surround Ms. Christine Cusanelli and her family with Your love,   in Jesus Name,  Amen.

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.

Mr. Ron Casey - MLA for Banff-Cochrane

Lord bless MLA Ron Casey representing the communities of Banff – Cochrane.   Thank You that he is an individual who is aware of the needs of his constituents and wisely plans for them.   We ask that You would continue to give him the gifts of knowledge and insight to apply to the decisions he needs to make.   We pray for a future filled with happiness and that You would bless him, his family and extended family.  In Jesus Name,  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 has 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

We pray that You would give MLA Mr. Wayne Cao strength in the many tasks before him in his community and legislative work.   We are grateful for the skills he brings to his role in the Alberta Government and to the people he serves in Calgary – Fort.  Bless him with refreshing times with friends and family.   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.

Mr. Cao currently serves as chair of the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices, as well as a member of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing and the Standing Committee on Alberta´s Economic Future.

His past appointments include:

• Chair, Standing Committee on Private Bills
• Member, Standing Committee on Families and Communities
• Chair, Cabinet Policy Committee on Government Services
• Member, Standing Committee on Education
• Member, Legislative Review Committee
• Member, Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund Committee
• Deputy chair, Select Standing Committees on Private Bills and on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Cabinet member liaison to caucus for southern Alberta
• Chair, government caucus in Calgary
• Chair, child care legislation review
• Chair, Court Service Workers Review Committee
• Member, Standing Policy Committee on Learning
• Chair, Committee on Lifelong Learning
• Chair, Employment Standards Regulations Review
• Chair, Northland Athabasca School District Review
• Member, Natural Heritage Environment Protection Legislation Review
• Member, Subcommittees of Supply and Designated Supply
• Member, Government Strategy Team on Private Members´ Bills
• Government Member, Lougheed House Historical Preservation Society
• Government Representative, Calgary Diversity Leadership Council
• Member, Legislature Standing Committee on Public Accounts
• Member, MLA Committee on Strengthening Alberta´s Role in Confederation

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:

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

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

Thank You Lord God for Honourable Robin Campbell and for wisdom as he serves.   Give him a clear vision as to how he can make a positive difference for those who require his assistance.  Prepare him for the next steps he needs to take as he moves toward new endeavours.   We pray these things in Your Holy Name, 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.

Ms. Pearl Calahasen - MLA for Lesser Slave Lake

Dear Heavenly Father, we ask You to bless MLA Ms. Pearl Calahasen.   Give her wisdom in all the decisions she makes,  Father, as she carries out her role as MLA of Lesser Slave Lake.   Thank You that You are with her to give her strength when she feels weary and relieve her from the stresses and pressures of her work.  Give her safety in all her travels and protect her and her family.   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

Dear God, we join together today to pray for Dr. Neil Brown.  We pray that he would have the strength he needs to carry out his various tasks and duties in the legislature.   We also pray that You would provide the people today to assist him in the work that needs to be accomplished and unity of heart and mind as they make decisions.   This we pray in Jesus 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 Families and Communities
• 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 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´s 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 MLA Ms. Laurie Blakeman and ask that You would renew her vision and strength for the work You have called her to do.  Grant her favor with those she works with each day as well as in the constituency of Edmonton – Centre.   We pray that You will continue to give MLA Laurie Blakeman Your discernment and wisdom.   In Your Name, Amen.

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.