Mr. Glenn van Dijken - MLA for Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock

Father in Heaven today we are grateful for MLA Mr. Glenn Van Dijken. We pray that the expertise and experience he brings to our government here in Alberta will enable him to make decisions that his constituents can be confident in. We ask for strength for him today for all the tasks that are before him and direct his plans we pray. In your name, Amen

Glenn van Dijken was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock, on May 5, 2015.

He currently serves as a member of the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices and as a member of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing. He is also a member of the Select Special Ethics and Accountability Committee.

Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly, Mr. van Dijken's activities centred on operating his family grain farm in Dapp, Alberta, for which he and his spouse, Barb, were named Outstanding Young Farmers of Alberta in 2001.

He has also worked on various committees and boards. He co-chaired the Canadian Outstanding Young Farmer program from 2009 to 2010 and served on the board of directors for the Federated Co-operative Limited from 2011 to 2015, the Goldeye Foundation Society from 2011 to 2015 and the Neerlandia Co-operative Association Limited from 1996 to 2008.

A founding member of the Western Hog Exchange (WHE), Mr. van Dijken was a WHE director for 12 years, between 1997 and 2011, serving five years as vice-chair and two as chair.

Other community activity for Mr. van Dijken includes serving on his church council and volunteering as a hockey and baseball coach.

Dr. Bob Turner - MLA for Edmonton-Whitemud

Father God, we thank you for MLA Dr. Bob Turner and the role he has in our Legislature. We pray for plans and strategies as he sits on committees and meets with people in his constituency of Edmonton – Whitemud. Thank you for the experience he brings through his past service that is an asset to his leadership. Bless him and his family. Amen

Andrew Robert (Bob) Turner was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Edmonton-Whitemud, on May 5, 2015.

He currently serves as Chair of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing and as a member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

For nearly 40 years, he has served Albertans as an oncologist at the Cross Cancer Institute, the University of Alberta Hospital and other hospitals in northern Alberta. Dr. Turner, a retired professor of Medicine at the University of Alberta, has also lectured at leading Canadian and international medical teaching facilities and done clinical research in novel therapies of leukemias and other blood disorders.

Dr. Turner attended McGill University, where he received his science and medical degrees while also serving on the student council and board of governors. He went on to train in Internal Medicine at the Royal Victoria hospital in Montreal and then in Hematology and Medical Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh.

A dedicated member of the Edmonton medical community, Dr. Turner has served in a number of working groups and committees for entities such as the Alberta Medical Association, the University of Alberta Department of Medicine, Alberta Health Services, the Alberta Cancer Board and the Canadian Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service. Dr. Turner has also been widely published in academic medical journals and has contributed to a number of medical textbooks.

Dr. Turner and his wife, Dr. Joan Allalunis-Turner, reside in Edmonton and have two children, Emily and Simon, and one grandson. Bob enjoys an active lifestyle that includes cycling, curling, skiing and running. His hobby is the study of western Canadian history, particularly explorers and mapmakers such as David Thompson.

Mr. Wes Taylor - MLA for Battle River-Wainwright

Dear Father God, we thank you today for the important role MLA Mr. Wes Taylor has in our Alberta Legislature. Thank you as well that in the busyness of his schedule you will guide him to give attention and focus on the items of most importance. May he be refreshed in his place of service and sense your presence empowering him today in all he does. Amen

Wes Taylor was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta as the Member for the constituency of Battle River-Wainwright on May 5, 2015. On June 1 he was appointed by Brian Jean as shadow cabinet spokesman for Innovation and Advanced Education.

He currently serves as a member of the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund and of the Standing Committee on Alberta's Economic Future.

Prior to his service with the Legislative Assembly Mr. Taylor was employed as a realtor from 1998 to 2014. He also has a bachelor of education degree from the University of Alberta and worked as a teacher in the Buffalo Trail school division for five years.

An active member of the community, Mr. Taylor has served as a member of the board for Wainwright Pentecostal Assembly, director of Eastalta Co-op and director of the Alberta Real Estate Association. In addition Mr. Taylor is a volunteer firefighter.

Mr. Taylor and his wife, Eileen, reside in Wainwright and have three children: Chantel, Matthew and Ashley. He enjoys golfing, motorcycles, scuba diving and autobody refinishing. He also holds a black belt in Tae-Kwon-do.

Ms. Heather Sweet - MLA for Edmonton-Manning

Heavenly Father, we ask for your presence to be with Ms. Heather Sweet as she serves the people of Edmonton – Manning. We pray today that she would have new strength to run the race that is before her. May she also experience your leading and guiding God for the many duties and tasks she needs to carry out. We pray this in your name, Amen

Heather Sweet was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Edmonton-Manning, on May 5, 2015.

She currently serves as Chair on the Standing Committee on Families and Communities and as a Member of the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices.

Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly, Ms. Sweet worked for over a decade as a registered social worker. From 2005 to 2015 she worked in child protection services, focusing on high-risk youth, and previous to this, she worked for a year with the Metis Child and Family Services Society.

She was a member of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees' Committee on Political Action and served as chapter chair for Edmonton and Area Human Services workers.

Active in her community, Ms. Sweet has volunteered at the Vancouver Olympics and the Edmonton Folk Music Festival and with FIFA Edmonton.

She was recently honoured to be among those selected to attend the Governor General's Canadian Leadership Conference in 2015.

Dr. David Swann - MLA for Calgary-Mountain View

Dear Lord Jesus, we thank you for MLA David Swann as he serves in the constituency of Calgary – Mountain View and ask that you would lead and guide him. We pray that he would be a strength, support and encouragement to our premier. We ask that you would give Mr. Swann the time and energy to complete his duties today. Bless him and his family with good health. Amen

David Swann was elected to his fourth term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Calgary-Mountain View on May 5, 2015. From December 15, 2008 to September 12, 2011, Dr. Swann served as leader of the Alberta Liberal caucus, Her Majesty’s Official Opposition.

He currently serves as a member of the Standing Committee on Families and Communities and on the Select Special Ethics and Accountability Committee.

He previously served as critic for Health and Wellness and Executive Council. Additionally, Dr. Swann served as a member of the following Standing Committees:

• Public Health and Safety
• Private Bills
• Families and Communities
• Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing

During his first term Dr. Swann was environment critic and also served as deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Resources and Environment and as a member of the Private Bills Committee and the Standing Committee on Health.

Dr. Swann graduated from the University of Alberta with his B.MSc. in 1971, his MD in 1973 and from the University of Calgary with his FRCP(C) in 1988. He practised as a family physician from 1975 to 1984 and then as a public health consultant from 1988 to 2004.

Dr. Swann is active within his community and was responsible for initiating the Healthy City Project in Calgary in 1987. He was also a part of developing the first pesticide-free park in Calgary in 1998 and has been involved in a number of anti-sanctions, anti-war movements from 1995 to 2004, which included three trips to Iraq.

He was involved in the publication of Finding My Voice for Peace (from Canada and the New American Empire, ed. George Melnyk). Dr. Swann was also honoured with the Gold Star Teaching Award in both 1999 and 2003 from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary.

Dr. Swann has been actively involved in raising issues of human security and human rights both locally (farm-workers) and internationally (Darfur).

Dr. Swann and his wife, Laureen, have three children. During his free time he enjoys peace and justice work, music and singing, jogging, woodworking and writing.

Mr. Graham D. Sucha - MLA for Calgary-Shaw

Lord, we are thankful for MLA Mr. Graham Sucha. We are asking you today that you would continue to guide him in the numerous tasks he must perform as he serves and gives leadership in the constituency of Calgary – Shaw. Thank you for his efforts to seek to improve the quality of life for all the people of Alberta and that he has a listening ear and is aware of their needs. We pray that you would bless him and his family with your peace. In Jesus Name, Amen

Graham Sucha was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Calgary-Shaw, on May 5, 2015.

He currently serves as a member of the Standing Committee on Alberta’s Economic Future and of the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship.

Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly, he worked for over a decade in restaurant management, overseeing several restaurants in the Calgary area. While there he aided in raising money for several charities including the Special Olympics and 2013 Flood Relief.

He holds a diploma in television and broadcasting from Algonquin College and studied political science at Carleton University in Ottawa. While in Ottawa he completed a broadcasting placement with the Canadian armed forces’ Army News.

A second generation Calgarian, Graham is proud of his family heritage that has roots in Great Britain and Slovakia. Growing up in Marlborough Park, he currently resides in Millrise with his wife and three children.

Mr. Rick Strankman - MLA for Drumheller-Stettler

Lord, we are thankful for MLA Rick Strankman. We are asking you today, that you would continue to guide him in his tasks as he serves and gives leadership in the constituency of Drumheller – Stettler. We thank you that you will give him wisdom in his duties and strategies to put new things in place for our province. Guide him in all that would result in positive changes here in Alberta. May he know that his work is appreciated and be encouraged. Bless him with good health and prosperity. In Jesus Name, Amen

Rick Strankman was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Drumheller-Stettler on May 5, 2015.

He currently serves as a member of the Standing Committee on Private Bills.

Mr. Strankman has owned and operated a farming business since 1973. From 1999 to 2011 he also volunteered as secretary/treasurer of the Western Barley Growers Association. Although initially interested in agriculture, Mr. Strankman became increasingly involved in politics and social activism in response to federal regulation of the agriculture industry, including legislation relating to the Canadian Wheat Board.

Mr. Strankman was jailed in 2002 after being charged under the Customs Act for taking 756 bushels of wheat across the U.S. border in protest of the Canadian Wheat Board’s monopoly. He and the other farmers that were arrested received a pardon from Prime Minister Stephen Harper on August 1, 2012, when the federal government’s Marketing Freedom for Grain Farmers Act came into effect, which allowed producers to opt out of the Canadian Wheat Board and sell wheat on the open market. He served one week of a 180 day sentence.

His commitment to public service began early on and as a youth Mr. Strankman was honoured with the Queen’s scout award by Boy Scouts of Canada.

Mr. Strankman also has a keen interest in aviation and has held a pilot’s license and done aerial application since 1974. He and his wife Dianne live in Altario and have two grown children.