Honourable Diana McQueen - MLA for Drayton Valley-Devon

Dear God in Heaven, we lift up the Honourable Diana McQueen, MLA for Drayton Valley – Devon and Minister of Energy. We pray concerning all the significant work she does and for the energy and strength to do it. We ask that you would surround her with people both in her legislative office and at home in her constituency to support her and help her carryout the plans she has, to make the communities of Alberta vibrant and prosperous. Amen

Minister of Energy

Diana McQueen was elected to her second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Drayton Valley-Devon on April 23, 2012. On December 13, 2013, Mrs. McQueen was sworn-in as Minister of Energy. She previously served as Minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD).

Mrs. McQueen’s work this term has focused on integrated resource management. Under her leadership, ESRD has taken decisive action on a number of issues important to Albertans in 2012, including:

• Implementing Alberta’s first regional plan under the Land-use Framework, the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan;
• Partnering with the federal government to begin implementation of a new comprehensive environmental monitoring program in the oil sands region;
• Working to strengthen Alberta’s relationship with Asia to facilitate trade of forest products and share best practices and learnings; and,
• Spearheading the creation of a single regulatory system for all oil and gas developments in Alberta.

Prior to her election, Mrs. McQueen served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Energy and the Minister of Environment. Outside the legislature, she is active in her community, and has served as a school board chair and trustee, and as the mayor of Drayton Valley.

Mr. Ric McIver - MLA for Calgary-Hays

Dear God in Heaven, we lift up Mrs. Diana McQueen, MLA for Drayton Valley – Devon. We pray concerning all the significant work she does and for the energy and strength to do it. We ask that you would surround her with people both in her legislative office and at home in her constituency to support her and help her carryout the plans she has, to make the communities of Alberta vibrant and prosperous. Amen

Ric McIver was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Hays on April 23, 2012. On December 13, 2013, he was sworn in as Minister of Infrastructure. A position he held until May 6, 2014.

Previously, Mr. McIver served as Minister of Transportation and was the first person in this post to be selected from one of Alberta’s major cities.

Ric previously served the residents of Calgary-Hays as the alderman on Calgary city council for ward 12 from 2001 to 2010, a span of three terms. In that time he served on the board of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, the Calgary Police Commission and the Metropolitan Calgary Foundation. He also served as chair of the Calgary Housing Company.

Ric became an Albertan on July 26, 1981. He has worked in the food industry in many different roles, including national sales manager and sales and marketing manager of different organizations. He has also owned and operated a food distribution and marketing wholesale business.

Ric is married to Christine, the founder and CEO of the Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta. Between them they have four children and two grandchildren, all living in Calgary.

Mr. Everett McDonald - MLA for Grande Prairie-Smoky

Dear Lord, we thank you for MLA Everett McDonald and his service to the people of Alberta. May he find deep joy in carrying out his significant role in the Alberta legislature. Give him the strength and endurance he needs for the busy challenging days. Bless and protect his family and keep them in good health. Amen

Everett McDonald was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Grande Prairie-Smoky on April 23, 2012.

In addition to his duties as an MLA, he also serves on the following committees:

• Standing Committee on Legislative Offices (deputy chair)
• Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future
• Special Standing Committee on Members’ Service
• Select Special Ethics Commissioner Search Committee

Mr. McDonald was recently appointed as chair of the MLA implementation team working on the review and implementation of the retail market review recommendations to strengthen Alberta’s retail electricity market.

He previously served as a member of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing, the Select Special Conflicts of Interest Act Review Committee and the Select Special Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee.

Mr. McDonald was born and raised in Grande Prairie and is a third-generation farmer; he has been farming in the same district of the county that his grandfather homesteaded in 1911.

First elected to the County of Grande Prairie No. 1 Council in 1992, Mr. McDonald served in various capacities during his tenure, including as chair of numerous commissions and boards and as deputy reeve. He then served as reeve from 2004 until his election to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Mr. McDonald was the chairman of the Crystal Creek Conservation Society and also represented the county on various provincial committees, including the Alberta Growth Summit and the provincial Mountain Pine Beetle Advisory Committee. In addition, he was also a founding board member of Aquatera, a municipally owned utility corporation, the first of its kind in the province.

Golf, fishing, hockey and curling are some of Mr. McDonald’s favourite pastimes. He and his wife, Tina, have four children and are also the proud grandparents of two grandsons.

Premier-designate Jim Prentice – Leader of the Conservative Party of Alberta

Lord God, we thank you for Premier-designate Jim Prentice and his willingness to serve as leader of the Alberta Conservative Party. In this significant role he will need wisdom, strength and courage. Wisdom when making decisions, strength when the going becomes difficult and courage to stand for his convictions, even when they may not be popular. We also ask that you would guide him in the many tasks he needs to complete in his new role and that you grant him the insight and understanding to create an effective government that addresses the various needs of this province. Finally, we ask that Mr. Prentice may know his efforts are appreciated by those he serves and that your grace would be at work and evident in his life. 

Amen

Mr. Bruce McAllister - MLA for Chestermere-Rocky View

Lord God, we are grateful for MLA Bruce McAllister and his service to the people of Chestermere – Rocky View. We pray that whether he is in his legislative office or out in the constituency that he would get much accomplished. We pray that he would rest well at night and have the strength he needs each day. We ask Lord, that you will continue to help him to be a person of good character and integrity. In your name, Amen

Bruce McAllister was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Chestermere-Rocky View on April 23, 2012.

In addition to serving as the Official Opposition Education and Advanced Education critic, Mr. McAllister serves on the Standing Committee on Families and Communities.

He previously served on the Standing Committee on Families and Communities and the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing.

Mr. McAllister was born Fredericton, New Brunswick, and has called Alberta home for the majority of his life. After completing a diploma in broadcast journalism from Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario, he began a 20-year career in journalism that took him to Halifax, Winnipeg, Medicine Hat and Calgary. Most recently Mr. McAllister anchored Global TV Calgary’s morning show.

An active member of his community, Mr. McAllister has worked as a spokesperson and master of ceremonies in support of countless community causes. Sports, literacy and seniors’ events are especially important to him.

Mr. McAllister lives in Chestermere with his wife, Lisa, and their three children. He enjoys spending time with his family as well as playing hockey, golf and reading.

Mr. Brian Mason - MLA for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood

Lord God, today we ask that you would guide MLA Brian Mason in the many tasks he needs to complete both in his legislative and constituency work. Thank you for giving him the sensitivity to address the various needs of his constituents and may he know his efforts are appreciated by those he serves. May your blessings fill up every area of his life.  Amen

ND Opposition Leader

Brian Mason was first elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood in a 2000 by-election. He was re-elected in the provincial general election of March 12, 2001, and was subsequently appointed House Leader of the New Democrat caucus and critic responsible for human resources, finance and agriculture.

Mr. Mason was appointed to the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services on May 28, 2012.

On September 18, 2004, Mr. Mason became leader of the New Democrats. Mr. Mason was elected to his third term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood on November 22, 2004, his fourth term on March 3, 2008, and his fifth term on April 23, 2012.

Previously, he has served as a member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the Members’ Service Committee, the Standing Committee on Resources and Environment, Standing Committee on Government Services and the Standing Committee on the Economy.

Before his election to the Alberta Legislature, Mr. Mason served as city of Edmonton councillor for ward 3. He was first elected in October 1989 and won three subsequent civic elections. As a member of city council for 11 years Mr. Mason gained a reputation as a tough and effective voice for his constituents. During this time Mr. Mason chaired the non-profit Housing Board and served on the Taxi Commission, Library board and Northlands board.

Following his political science studies at the University of Alberta, he became politically active, serving as the executive director of the Alberta Federation of Students from 1977 to 1979.

Mr. Mason has lived in Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood for over 20 years with his wife, Karin, and their two sons, Peter and Alex.

Mr. Thomas Lukaszuk - MLA for Edmonton-Castle Downs

Father in Heaven, we pray together today that you would give Mr. Lukaszuk the strength and wisdom he needs as he faces each new day and the courage to deal with every difficult situation. May his heart be filled with compassion for the people he represents in Edmonton – Castle Downs. Bless his family and may they experience your faithfulness and love. In your name, Amen

Thomas Lukaszuk was elected to his fourth term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Edmonton-Castle Downs on April 23, 2012.

Mr. Lukaszuk was formerly Deputy Premier and Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education.

Mr. Lukaszuk also served as Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour, Minister of Education, Political Minister for Edmonton, Minister of Employment and Immigration and parliamentary assistant for Municipal Affairs.

Over the course of his elected service Mr. Lukaszuk has served on a wide range of legislative and government committees. The areas of work have ranged from accountability, access to information and ethics in government to support for low-income and disabled Albertans, tourism marketing and human rights.

In particular, he has been a member of:

• Standing Committee on Law and Regulations
• Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing
• Standing Committee on Private Bills
• Standing Committee on Legislative Offices
• Standing Committee on Community Services
• Select Special Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act Review Committee
• Select Special Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee
• Select Special Health Information Act Review Committee
• Select Special Ethics Commissioner Search Committee
• Select Special Auditor General Search Committee
• Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services
• Standing Policy Committee on Health and Community Living
• MLA Committee to Review Low-income Programs, chair

MLA Stakeholder Consultation Committee on Key Design Features; Low-income Review Implementation, chair

• MLA Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) Review Committee, chair
• MLA Corrections Review Committee
• Select Special Conflicts of Interest Act Review Committee
• Provincial Offences Procedure Review Steering Committee, chair
• Strategic Tourism Marketing Council
• Alberta Foreign Offices Review Committee
• Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Education Fund Advisory Committee, chair
• Northlands Park Board
• Task Force on the Teachers’ Unfunded Pension Liability
• Edmonton Salutes Committee
• Government of Alberta Liaison to Consular Corps

Born April 5, 1969, in Poland and raised in north Edmonton, Mr. Lukaszuk graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Alberta and taught in Edmonton schools before starting Injured Workers Advocates Inc. (IWA), a firm designed to assist injured workers with work-related injury claims. Before becoming an MLA, he served on the Social Care Facilities Review Committee, the Citizens’ Appeal Panel (chair), and the Alberta Lotteries Review Committee. He conducted reviews of Alberta daycares, foster homes, group homes and homeless shelters.

Mr. Lukaszuk has a history of involvement with community groups. He coached soccer through the Edmonton Northwood Community League, has been a Scout leader and is a strong supporter of ABC Head Start. He is a past president of the Youth Friendship Society and a Knight of Columbus. He has been decorated with the Order of St. John investiture, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for his community service and the Alberta Centennial Medal for his contributions to the province. He volunteers with the Edmonton Castle Downs Recreation Society, and has built playgrounds in Vietnam and the Philippines.

In his free time Mr. Lukaszuk enjoys travelling, reading and spending time with his young family.