Premier Dave Hancock, QC - MLA for Edmonton-Whitemud

Father God, we bring Premier Dave Hancock before You and the weight of responsibility that is on his shoulders for the province of Alberta.  We pray for great wisdom and understanding to give leadership at this time and give Albertans the clear direction needed to move our province into prosperity and God’s blessing.  Give Premier Hancock health and strength and may he be conscious of Your presence with him always.  Amen.

Premier of Alberta, President of Executive Council

Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education

Dave Hancock is in his fifth term as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Whitemud. On March 23, 2014, he was sworn in as Alberta’s 15th Premier.

In addition, Mr. Hancock currently serves as Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education.

Prior to his current appointments, he served as Deputy Premier from December 13, 2013, to March 23, 2014, as Minister of Human Services and Government House Leader and as Minister of Education.

In his third term, Mr. Hancock served as Minister of Health and Wellness and as Government House Leader. He was also appointed as a member of the Agenda and Priorities Committee, Treasury Board, the Legislative Review Committee, the Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing Committee, and the Cabinet Policy Committee on Community Services.

He has previously served as the Minister of Advanced Education, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, and vice-chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Education and Employment. During each of his terms in office, he has served as a member of Treasury Board and the Agenda and Priorities Committee.

A lawyer by profession, Mr. Hancock was a partner with Matheson and Company, Barristers and Solicitors, before entering public service. He received an arts degree in political science and economics, and a law degree from the University of Alberta.

A strong believer in giving back to the community, he supports numerous non-profit and service organizations as time permits, including Success By 6, Meals on Wheels, and Kiwanis Club.

Mr. Hancock was born in Fort Resolution, N.W.T. He lived in Hazelton, B.C., and the northern Alberta community of Fort Vermilion, graduating from La Crête Public School before moving to Edmonton to attend university.

He and his wife, Janet, have three children: Ian, Janis and Janine.

Mr. Jason Hale - MLA for Strathmore-Brooks

Thank You today for MLA Jason Hale and for giving him vision and clear goals for his constituency as well as the province of Alberta.  Grant him health, strength and vitality as he faces the workload and tasks before him.  We thank You for supportive staff and surround him with those who will help him fulfill his visions.  Amen

Jason Hale was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Strathmore-Brooks on April 23, 2012.

He is currently the deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship, and previously served as a member on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

Mr. Hale was born and raised near Bassano. In 2010 the Hale family celebrated a century of living in the community. He and his wife and two sons currently run a cow-calf operation. Mr. Hale has also worked as a consultant in the oil and gas sector and as a professional bullfighter.

Mr. Hale graduated from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) with a chemical technology diploma.

An active member of his community, Mr. Hale has been a member of the Bassano Rodeo Committee for the past eight years and a director of the Bassano Agricultural Society for the past three years. He has also regularly volunteered as a coach and manager with community hockey and baseball teams.

Mr. Hale and his family reside on their farm in Bassano.

Honourable Doug Griffiths - MLA for Battle River-Wainwright

Dear Heavenly Father we join together to pray for Honourable Doug Griffiths and thank You for his leadership to the constituents of Battle River – Wainwright .  Thank You for connecting him with key people in these communities in order to bring the growth and prosperity that is needed to move them forward.  Bless him and his family with peace and well-being in every area of life.  In Jesus Name we pray.  Amen.

Minister of Service Alberta

Doug Griffiths was first elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta at the age of 29 for the constituency of Wainwright in a by-election on April 8, 2002. He was re-elected to the Legislature to represent the constituency of Battle River-Wainwright on November 22, 2004, March 3, 2008, and for a fourth term on April 23, 2012.

On December 13, 2013, Mr. Griffiths was sworn-in as Minister of Service Alberta. He previously served as Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Previous appointments include serving as parliamentary assistant for the Department of Finance and Enterprise and as parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. He also served on the following committees:

• Standing Committee on Public Safety and Services
• Standing Committee on Health
• Public Accounts
• Standing Committee on the Economy
• Alberta Grain Commission (vice-chair)
• Private Members Business House Strategy Committee (chair)
• Standing Policy Committee on Energy and Sustainable Development (chair)
• Rural Development Strategies Task Force (chair)
• Agenda and Priorities Committee
• Standing Policy Committee on Economic Development and Finance
• Standing Policy Committee on Agriculture and Municipal Affairs
• Learning Alberta Steering Committee
• Health Services Utilization and Outcomes Commission (now called the Health Quality Council)
• MLA Committee on Strengthening Alberta’s Role in Confederation
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts (deputy chair)
• Standing Committee on Resources and Environment

Before becoming a Member of the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Griffiths received an honours degree in philosophy and a degree in education, both from the University of Alberta. During the three years prior to his election he taught at Byemoor School, where he was nominated every year for an award in teaching, once for the Edwin Parr Award and twice for the Pan Canadian Student Choice Award.

Mr. Griffiths and his wife, Sue, have two boys, Austin (born December 2005) and Brady (born August 2008).

Mr. Hector Goudreau - MLA for Dunvegan-Central Peace-Notley

Father God, we thank You for this new day you have given MLA Mr. Hector Goudreau.  May he receive Your wisdom and Your mighty hand guiding him as he attends to the affairs of the day.  We pray for Your blessing upon him and his family and ask that You  fill them with Your peace.  Grant him safe travels throughout the summer season.  Amen.

Hector Goudreau was elected to his fourth term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Dunvegan-Central Peace-Notley on April 23, 2012.

Mr. Goudreau currently serves as a member of the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship and the Select Special Ethics Commissioner Search Committee.

He previously served as a member of the Standing Committee on Private Bills, the Standing Committee on Families and Communities and the Standing Committee for Privileges, Elections, Standing Orders and Printing.

Mr. Goudreau has served as chair of the Cabinet Policy Committee on Community Development, a member and as the deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and as a member of the Select Special Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee the Standing Committee on Community Development, Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future, the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services and the Legislative Review Committee.

Previously, Mr. Goudreau served as Minister of Municipal Affairs, Minister of Employment and Immigration and Minister of Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture. He also served as Deputy Government House Leader.

Mr. Goudreau has served as a member of the Standing Policy Committee on Agriculture and Municipal Affairs, vice-chair of the Alberta Grain Commission, a member of the Historic Dunvegan Advisory Committee and a member of the Heritage Savings Trust Fund Committee. He has also served as a member of the standing committees on Private Bills and Public Accounts as well as the Standing Policy Committee on Learning and Employment.

Mr. Goudreau sat as a council member with the town of Falher and also spent some time as deputy mayor.

Born on October 11, 1950, Mr. Goudreau was raised on a dairy farm in Beaumont. He graduated from the University of Alberta with a bachelor of science degree, majoring in agriculture. He also completed a number of courses at the universities of Duluth, Minnesota and Montana.

With 27 years as a district agriculturist, he has worked as a crop specialist for the provincial government, was the assistant manager of Falher Alfalfa, an agronomist in Australia, farmed with his family and has his own farm. Mr. Goudreau was a recipient of the government of Alberta’s employee award for 25 years of service.

Mr. Goudreau is and has been involved with community and professional organizations, including:

• Alberta Institute of Agrologists, member
• Agricultural Society, member
• Agriculture-related organizations: seed cleaning plants, AADC and a canola product team
• Peace County Development Corporation, chair
• Falher and Area Economic Development Committee
• SCENO - Enterprise Centre
• Smoky Applied Research and Demonstration Association (SARDA)
• Northwest Corridor Development Corporation, member
• Smoky River Water Co-op, member
• Smoky River trade shows
• Knights of Columbus, member
• Canadian Parents for French
• School committees, church committees

He received the Knights of Columbus Knight of the Year award in 1987.

Mr. Goudreau lives in Falher with his wife, Angeline. They have three daughters: Micheline, Monique and Melanie. In his free time he enjoys travelling, fishing, curling, reading and farming.

Mrs. Yvonne Fritz - MLA for Calgary-Cross

Heavenly Father, we are joining together to pray for MLA Mrs. Yvonne Fritz, thankful that You are with her today as she carries out her important role in our legislature.  May she experience fresh vision and insight for the things she attends to.  Thank You as well that You give her new strength and the ability to balance her schedule in order to give sufficient time to family and other meaningful relationships in her life.  Amen.

Yvonne Fritz was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta as the Member for Calgary-Cross in 1993 and was elected for her sixth term on April 23, 2012. She currently serves as a member of the Standing Committee on Private Bills and the Standing Committee on Families and Communities.

In addition to her duties as a Member, she served as chair of the Standing Committee on Public Health and Safety during the 27th Legislature and more recently as a member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and the Standing Committee of Privileges, Elections, Standing Orders and Printing.

Previously she served as Minister of Children and Youth Services. In her capacity as Minister of Children and Youth Services, she worked with families and communities to provide nurturing, safe environments for children and youth. In addition to her ministerial appointment, she served as a member of the Agenda and Priorities Committee.

Initially named to Cabinet in 2004, Mrs. Fritz served as Minister of Seniors and Community Supports, Associate Minister of Housing and Urban Development in 2007 and Minister of the newly-created Housing and Urban Affairs in 2008.

Prior to serving as a Minister of the Crown, Mrs. Fritz served as the Chair of the Cabinet Policy Committee on Managing Growth Pressures, as a member of Treasury Board and chaired both the Alberta Multicultural Commission and the Women’s Breast Cancer Screening Council. She also sponsored three Private Members’ Bills, including a bill for mandatory bicycle helmet use for children and teenagers.

From 1988 until 1993, Mrs. Fritz served as a City of Calgary Alderman in Ward 5, one of Canada’s largest civic ridings.

Prior to seeking elected office, Mrs. Fritz worked as a registered nurse at Calgary General Hospital for over 20 years.

As a long-time resident of Calgary-Cross, Mrs. Fritz is an active member in local associations and a strong advocate for volunteerism and community involvement.

She is married to Lanny; they have two grown children.

Honourable Rick Fraser - MLA for Calgary-South East

Thank You Lord God for Honourable  Mr. Rick Fraser as he serves in the great city of Calgary.  We pray for strength and increased wisdom for his busy schedule from day to day and for the many crucial decisions that need to be made.  We ask that You would surround him with great staff that are supportive and will help ease the load of many responsibilities.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Associate Minister – Recovery and Reconstruction of High River

Associate Minister – Public Safety

Rick Fraser was elected to his first term as the Member for Calgary-South East on April 23, 2012. On December 13, 2013, Mr. Fraser was sworn-in as Associate Minister – Public Safety. He also serves as the Associate Minister – Recovery and Reconstruction of High River.

Mr. Fraser previously served as a member of the following committees:

• Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services
• Standing Committee on Families and Communities
• Strategic Tourism and Marketing Council
• Standing Committee on Public Accounts
• Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship

Mr. Fraser also served as Deputy Government Whip. 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.

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 and his wife Mishelle are now raising two young sons in Calgary’s southeast side.

Mr. Rod Fox - MLA for Lacombe-Ponoka

Lord God in heaven we pray that You would show Your goodness to MLA Mr. Rod Fox as he serves the people of central Alberta.  May he be blessed with health, strength and while he travels may he experience safety.  We pray that as he meets with individuals in his constituency may he find new significant connections that will lead to positive growth in the economy for our province.   Amen.

Rod Fox was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lacombe-Ponoka on April 23, 2012. He currently serves as deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Economic Futures and is also a member of the Standing Committee on Private Bills and the Standing Committee on Families and Communities.

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.