Mr. Tany Yao - MLA for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo

Father in heaven, we pray for Your blessings to be on MLA Mr. Tany Yao today.  We are grateful for what he brings to his position and the care he has for the people of Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo who are brave in their recovery from so much loss.  We pray that You would give him wisdom in everything he does.  Amen

Tany Yao was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo, on May 5, 2015.

He currently is a member of the Standing Committee on Families and Communities.

Prior to serving with the Legislative Assembly, he worked on his property portfolio between 2011 and 2015.

Before this, he began a 20 year career in emergency response services in 1991 in Ponoka. He then enrolled in NAIT's paramedic program and then worked with the Alberta Central Air Ambulance in Lac La Biche. He also worked for Peace Regional Emergency Medical Services and the Fort McMurray Fire Department. While with the FMFD he acted in a supervisory role and another four years as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Operations - EMS.

In addition to holding a diploma in paramedics, he has undergone extensive firefighter training. He also received certification in project management and in business administration.

Over the years he has volunteered his time to support various charitable organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club, the United Way, Muscular Dystrophy Canada, the Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and the Canadian Cancer Society's Relay For Life.

Ms. Denise Woollard - MLA for Edmonton-Mill Creek

Dear Lord, we ask that You would be with MLA Ms. Denise Woollard and multiply her time as she goes about her day.   Renew her and may she sense that You walk with her.  We pray blessings on the leadership skills she brings to her role.  We thank You for her dedication and commitment while serving in our legislature.  Amen

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, the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship and the Select Special Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner Search Committee.

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

Heavenly Father, may Your blessing be upon our MLA representing the people of beautiful Banff – Cochrane.  Thank You for his faithful service in our Alberta government and we pray that You would continue to surround him with those who will assist him, effectively carrying out his role.  May he and those close to him experience Your peace and kindness and we ask this in Your Name, Amen.

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

Thank You Lord, for Medicine Hats’ MLA Honourable Robert Wanner and his passion as he represents the people of his constituency and serves in the significant role of Speaker of the House.  We pray for him to experience renewed strength and joy as he serves in his many responsibilities and seeks to meet the needs of Albertans.  Give him wisdom and insight to know what he should attend to today to be most effective.  May he find opportunity to spend time doing recreational activities and time with family and good friends.  Amen. 

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

We are thankful today for MLA Glenn van Dijken and the role he has in our legislature and as he serves the constituents of Barrhead -  Morinville – Westlock.  We pray for You to guide him to new opportunities, new doors and new relationships to continue to be effective in the leadership he carries out.  Bless him today with peace.  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 deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Alberta's Economic Future. He also serves as a member of the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices, the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing and the Select Special Ombudsman and Public Interest Commissioner Search Committee.

Mr. van Dijken previously served as 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

Heavenly Father, we are thankful for Dr. Bob Turner, and his involvement on committees and boards making significant decisions for his community of Edmonton – Whitemud and our province.  We are grateful for his experience and that it will be an asset to solving complex community and provincial issues.  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 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

We give thanks today for MLA Wes Taylor Father God and for his commitment to the constituents of Battle River – Wainwright.  We pray for diligence to fulfil what he has in mind to accomplish for his community and province.  We pray for strength and health for him as well as protection for him and his family.  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 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.