Mr. Mike Ellis - MLA for Calgary-West

Heavenly Father, with thanks and appreciation we bring MLA Mike Ellis before you. We ask that you be with him as he takes on the challenges of his office. We also pray that you will be noticeably present in Mr. Ellis’ daily affairs. Please help his family and he adjust to his new responsibilities. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Mike Ellis was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in the constituency of Calgary-West on October 27, 2014.

He is currently a member of the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund and the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing.

Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Ellis spent 12 years with the Calgary Police Service. During his tenure he served eight years in the position of constable and three as patrol sergeant. In recognition of his service he received a 10-year distinguished service medal in 2013.

During his policing career his focus was primarily on community policing, which included working with some of Calgary’s most vulnerable citizens through the Alberta Secretariat for Action on Homelessness. He also trained other officers in how to help victims of crime.

Mr. Ellis has studied in the bachelor of policing program at Charles Sturt University in Australia. He also holds a management certificate from Mount Royal College and leadership certification from the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Mr. Ellis is married to Hollie, and together they have three children.

Mr. David Eggen - MLA for Edmonton-Calder

Heavenly Father, we come to you in the Name of Your Son Jesus, to pray for MLA David Eggen, today.   We ask for Your favor to be on him as he serves Alberta faithfully these years, may he not become weary in well doing but know that what he is doing is making a difference in our province, and especially as he represents the people of Edmonton – Calder.  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. He currently serves as the ND Opposition House Leader.

Mr. Eggen is a member of the following committees:

• Standing Committee on Families and Communities
• Standing Committee on Legislative Offices
• Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future

He previously served as a member of the Select Special Chief Electoral Officer Search Committee, the Select Special Ethics Commissioner Search Committee and the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund.

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.

Honourable Wayne Drysdale - MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti

Heavenly Father, we come to You in the Name of Your Son Jesus to pray for Honourable Wayne Drysdale.   As he is faithfully serving the people of Alberta in Grande Prairie – Wapiti, may he sense Your nearness, help and encouragement in his times of need, as he sorts through the many challenges in his position in the Alberta legislature.  We ask for a unity of purpose with all that he comes in contact with during his busy schedule.  Bless the time he has with his family.  Amen

Minister of Transportation

Wayne Drysdale was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Grande Prairie-Wapiti on April 23, 2012. He currently serves as Minister of Transportation. He previously served as Minister of Infrastructure.

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

• Private Bills
• Finance

Previous committee involvement includes serving as a member of the Treasury Board, chairing the cabinet policy committee on Resources and the Environment, and 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 councillor 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.

Honourable David C. Dorward - MLA for Edmonton-Gold Bar

Heavenly Father we bring before You today Honourable David Dorward.  May he find favour in Your sight today as he sets his focus on all that is presented for his attention.  May he use wise judgment in understanding all that is on his agenda and utilize the gifts that You have given to him for this time and place in the Alberta Legislature.  Bless and keep his family with safety and peace.   In Jesus Name,  Amen.

Associate Minister of Aboriginal Relations (Reporting to the Premier)

David Dorward was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Gold Bar on April 23, 2012 and currently serves as Associate Minister of Aboriginal Relations.

He previously served as Deputy Government House Whip and as a member of the Treasury Board. Additionally he has served as deputy chair of the Select Special Conflicts of Interest Act Review Committee, deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and as a member of the Special Standing Committee on Members’ Services, the Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future and the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund.

Mr. Dorward has lived in Edmonton-Gold Bar for more than 50 years. He attended Avonmore, Donnan and Bonnie Doon schools. He is a graduate of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and the University of Alberta, and was recognized by NAIT as one of its top 50 graduates of the last 50 years.

An experienced Chartered Accountant and Certified Management Accountant, Mr. Dorward founded his own company, Dorward & Company Chartered Accountants LLP in 1994. In 2009 his company was a finalist for the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Owner of the Year Award.

Throughout his life Mr. Dorward has contributed to his community in many ways. He has served on numerous local and provincial boards, including the Edmonton Epilepsy Association, Basketball Alberta and the Children’s Ability Fund. He founded Edmonton’s Saville Community Sports Centre (GO Centre), the largest community and sport centre of its type in North America. As well he serves as president of the Edmonton Grads Basketball Centre, the group that operates basketball programming at the GO Centre. In addition to coaching youth basketball for more than 12 years, he organized the basketball program for many Edmonton-Gold Bar communities. Mr. Dorward has also served as a United Way director of finance and administration.

In 2009 he received an honorable mention for the Alberta Outstanding Community Leader Award, presented by the then Lieutenant Governor, Norman Kwong.

Mr. Dorward and his wife, Janice, are proud to call Edmonton-Gold Bar home. They have four children and 13 grandchildren.

Mr. Ian Donovan - MLA for Little Bow

Heavenly Father, we lift up Mr. Ian Donavan, MLA for Little Bow.  Thank You for wisdom and insight to carry out his responsibilities.  Aware that he has a busy schedule, we ask that You would give him the strength and vitality he needs for the many items on his agenda.  May he be aware of the needs in his constituency that require his attention.  Bless him and his family with health and well-being.  Amen.

Ian Donovan was elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Little Bow on April 23, 2012. He was appointed to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts on May 24, 2012.

He previously served as a member of the Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future.

Mr. Donovan was born in High River and calls the hamlet of Mossleigh home. A graduate of Senator Riley high school, he has operated a grain farm in Mossleigh for 20 years. In addition to his running his farm, he is a long-time member and former director of the Blackie Seed Cleaning Association.

Mr. Donovan is an active member of his community, having been involved with the Lions Club of Mossleigh and Community Futures Highwood, a nonprofit community-owned business development organization, for the past 15 years. He also served as councillor for division 9 of Vulcan county from 1995 until his election to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.

Donovan lives with his wife, Serena, and their children on their farm in Mossleigh.

Honourable Gordon Dirks - MLA for Calgary-Elbow

Dear Lord, we thank you for your servant, the Honourable Gordon Dirks. We pray that You will continue to bring wisdom and careful consideration for the growing needs of our young population. We pray during this time of rapid growth in our province, that You will help the Minister of Education and his team balance the needs of the youth and the diverse technical needs of our post-secondary populace. Amen.

Minister of Education

Gordon Dirks was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in the riding of Calgary-Elbow on October 27, 2014. He currently serves as Minister of Education.

Mr. Dirks’ extensive public service experience dates back more than 30 years. Most recently he served as school trustee with the Calgary Board of Education from 1999 to 2010. He also served as the Calgary Board of Education Board Chair.

Prior to his work with the Calgary Board of Education, Mr. Dirks was Assistant Deputy Minister of the Corporate Services Department of Family and Social Services from 1990 to 1993.

In addition, between 1982 and 1986 he served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, where he was appointed Minister of Urban Affairs, Housing and Social Services. He was also a member of the Treasury Board and the Planning and Priorities Committee.

Furthermore, Mr. Dirks served as the Vice-President of External Relations for Ambrose University from 2006 to 2010 and as the president of Rocky Mountain College from 1993 to 1996.

An active member of his community, Mr. Dirks worked for the Centre Street church as Executive Pastor from 2010 to 2014, a position he previously held with the Beulah Alliance church from 1993 to 1996. He is also a member of the Corpath business forum.

Previous community activity included membership on the following:

• Governance Committee for Centre Point: Advancing Non-profit Management (chair)
• Imagine Calgary Steering Committee
• Government of Alberta Results-based Budgeting Review Committee

Mr. Dirks holds a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Regina.

He and his wife, Evangeline, live in Calgary. They have two adult children and three grandchildren.

Honourable Jonathan Denis, QC - MLA for Calgary-Acadia

Dear God, we thank You for the Hon. Jonathan Denis and his role in our legislature.  We ask You today that You would be present to give him wise counsel and the solutions for difficult situations.  Guide him and his staff as they work together for success in every area in our province.  Amen.

 

Minister of Justice and Solicitor General

Deputy Government House Leader

Jonathan Denis, QC, was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Calgary-Acadia on April 23, 2012, and currently serves as Minister of Justice and Solicitor General. In addition, Jonathan serves as Deputy Government House Leader and is a member of the Government’s Operations Committee and its Agenda and Priorities Committee.

Jonathan moved to Calgary in 2000 from Saskatchewan, where he was born in Regina. Prior to moving to Alberta, Jonathan obtained degrees in commerce and law. Before serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Jonathan was a senior associate with the Calgary office of a national law firm, specializing in litigation and government relations.

In 2009 Jonathan was appointed a Queen’s Counsel of Alberta. He was also the president of a communications firm and a director of the Institute for Public Sector Accountability, a nonprofit organization founded to promote transparency and accountability in the public sector.

Jonathan previously served as Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, where he exceeded targets for affordable housing and reducing homelessness while reducing spending by 39 per cent. He has also served as Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security and parliamentary assistant for Energy.

An active part of his community, Jonathan has been a volunteer with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Habitat for Humanity and the Canadian Cancer Society. Jonathan has also been a health care advocate for patients throughout Calgary. In 2010, he was recognized by Avenue Magazine as one of Calgary’s Top 40 under 40.

In his spare time Jonathan enjoys keeping active and spending time with family and friends. Jonathan is also an avid fan of both of the Calgary Flames and Calgary Stampeders.