Ms. Denise Woollard - MLA for Edmonton-Mill Creek

Dear Heavenly Father, we pray for MLA Denise Woollard that she will know that she can trust You to help her in the important role she has as she leads the people of Edmonton – Mill Creek.  We pray that You will give her safety and strength each and every day.  Keep her heart strong and her mind positive.  In Your Name, Amen.   (Grade 6 student) 

Denise Woollard was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Edmonton-Mill Creek, on May 5, 2015.

She currently serves as a member of the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices and as a member of the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship.  She previously served as chair of the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices and as a member of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing.

Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly, Ms. Woollard was working as a university facilitator at the University of Alberta. Previous to this, she worked for 16 years as an educational psychologist at schools throughout the province.

She also spent many years as a teacher and school counsellor for Northland and Parkland school divisions.

An avid volunteer, she has dedicated over 35 years to community service, including serving on the board of directors for the Wabamun Public Library and volunteering for the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, the Citadel Theatre and the Canadian Federation of University Women.

Her extensive educational background includes a master's in education, a bachelor of arts in English, a professional diploma and a diploma in special education.

Ms. Woollard was raised in Edmonton and she and her adult children are long time Edmonton residents.

Mr. Cameron Westhead - MLA for Banff-Cochrane

Today we pray Lord God for MLA Mr. Cameron Westhead that You would be with him and guide him as he shares ideas and give him wisdom for significant decisions he needs to make.  May he be aware of the needs of Albertans as he deals with sensitive issues.  Be with him and his family and give them strength throughout their days.  Amen.   (Grade 6 student)

Cameron Westhead was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Banff-Cochrane, on May 5, 2015.

He currently serves as a member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts. He previously served as a member of the Standing Committee on Families and Communities.

Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Westhead was a registered nurse with Alberta Health Services for 10 years, beginning in 2005. He most recently worked in the operating room at the Foothills hospital. During this time he also served as a workplace representative, an elected position which he held for four years.

He holds a bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Toronto and a bachelor of arts from Nipissing University.

Mr. Westhead and his wife call Bragg Creek home.

Honourable Robert Wanner - MLA for Medicine Hat

Dear God in heaven, we pray for the Honourable Robert Wanner, MLA for Medicine Hat and speaker of the House.  May he know he can always rely on You.  Thank You for Your wisdom and guiding hand on his life and we pray for Your blessing on him and his family.  Amen.  (Grade 6 student)

Speaker

Robert E. Wanner was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Medicine Hat, on May 5, 2015. On June 11, 2015, he was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

As Speaker he serves as chair of the Special Standing Committee on Members' Services and as president of the Alberta branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

Prior to his service with the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Wanner devoted 15 years to Canadians Reaching Out to the World's Children Foundation (CARO), of which he is a founding member and was president from 2000 to 2015. CARO is a Medicine Hat based foundation that is dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable children in Medicine Hat and around the world.

Mr. Wanner started his career as a social worker with the province of Alberta in Grande Prairie, Alberta. He then enjoyed a lengthy career with the city of Medicine Hat, where he worked for over 35 years in various senior management and executive-level positions, including as director of preventive social services, as the Medicine Hat Police Service's director of administration and planning and as the superintendent of social planning and housing. In 1995 he was appointed to the executive leadership of the city of Medicine Hat as the public services commissioner, and he then served as a project leader of a major organizational development initiative.

He is a registered social worker (RSW), qualified mediator (QMed) and registered family mediator (RFM). In 2005 he formed and operated a private mediation, conflict resolution and small property development business.

Extensively involved in his community, Mr. Wanner has over 40 years of community service experience, including as a senator for the University of Calgary; a founding member and past president of the Gas City Former Employees Association; a volunteer for the Salvation Army, the United Way and several community theatre organizations and, most recently, as chair of a family care clinic (FCC) steering committee.

He holds a bachelor of arts from the University of Saskatchewan, a master of arts in social welfare policy from McMaster University and a master of business administration from the University of Calgary.

Born in Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Mr. Wanner has called Medicine Hat home since 1972. He and his wife, Joan Emard-Wanner, have four children and 11 grandchildren.

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

Dear God, we pray for Mr. Glenn Van Dijken as he serves the region of Barrhead – Morinville – Westlock.  Help him in whatever he does and may he have Your wisdom for the decisions that have to be made.  We pray for peace as serving in government can be stressful.  May he know that he is making a difference for the people of Alberta and is appreciated.  Amen.   (Grade 6 student) 

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.

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

Dear God, we pray for Mr. Glenn Van Dijken as he serves the region of Barrhead – Morinville – Westlock.  Help him in whatever he does and may he have Your wisdom for the decisions that have to be made.  We pray for peace as serving in government can be stressful.  May he know that he is making a difference for the people of Alberta and is appreciated.  Amen.   (Grade 6 student)

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

Dear God, thank You for MLA Dr. Bob Turner and all he does in his constituency of Edmonton – Whitemud and for our province.  May he have peace in difficult times on the job.  Thank You for his dedication to his role and we pray that You would give him all the wisdom and encouragement he may need every day.  Watch over him and his family and refresh him with new energy and commitment.  Amen  (Grade 6 student)

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 a member of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts and as a member on the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund. Previously he served as Chair of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing.

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 Heavenly Father, we thank You for MLA Mr. Wes Taylor and his role in government and as he serves the people of Battle River – Wainwright.  Help him when he faces difficult situations to receive wisdom and insight to see things changed.  May he always sense that You walk with him enabling him as he fulfills his duties.  Amen.  (Grade 6 student)

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 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.