The University of Alberta's Faculty of Law would like to offer our congratulations to four of our alumni on being elected (in three cases re-elected) on April 23, 2012, and who took their seats in the new Alberta Legislature prior to its shut down for the summer:
The Faculty of Law takes great pride in the accomplishments of our alumni who serve in elected office in Alberta. They play an important role in advancing the future prosperity of the province.
The University of Alberta Faculty of Law alumni re-elected in April 23 are:
Rob Anderson (W), MLA for Airdrie. Named Opposition House Leader and Finance Critic. UofA Faculty of Law Alumni 2006.
Rob Anderson was elected to his second term in Alberta´s Legislative Assembly as the Member for Airdrie on April 23, 2012. He was appointed to the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund on May 24, 2012. He was appointed to the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship on May 28, 2012.
During his first term, in addition to his regular duties, he served on the following committees of the Legislative Assembly:
- Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund
- Standing Committee on Education
- Standing Committee on Finance
- Special Standing Committee on Members´ Services
- Standing Committee on Private Bills
- Standing Committee on Public Safety and Services
On January 4, 2010, Mr. Anderson joined the Wildrose Caucus.
Born in Edmonton on June 13, 1977, Mr. Anderson is the oldest of seven children. The family lived in Sherwood Park for most of his early years before moving in 1990 to Airdrie, which has been home ever since. During his youth he spent much of his time playing sports, particularly hockey and football. Two of his most memorable achievements are winning the Edmonton city championship as defensive captain for the Salisbury high school football team in Sherwood Park and being named the starting goaltender for the Brigham Young University Cougars hockey team. He also dedicated himself to earning his Boy Scouts of Canada chief scout award.
In 2003 Mr. Anderson graduated magna cum laude from Brigham Young University with a bachelor of arts in communications. Three years later he obtained a bachelor of laws from the University of Alberta, graduating with 'distinction' honours.
While at law school Mr. Anderson earned the coveted Merv Leitch QC scholarship for superior academic standing in constitutional law and demonstrated participation in related extracurricular activities, which in his case included his cofounding the organization Students for a Stronger Alberta. This group advocated for democratic reform and more meaningful voter participation in the democratic process, printed a university newspaper (The Independent), focused on debating relevant public policy and political issues of the day and organized a speaker series on strengthening democracy. He further demonstrated his interest in legal issues as they relate to the political sphere by earning the highest academic standing in the U of A law school´s law and democratic process course.
Prior to his election as a Member of the Legislative Assembly Mr. Anderson practiced corporate litigation law at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP in Calgary. Aside from the opportunity to work with some of Canada´s most knowledgeable legal minds, this experience provided him with firsthand insight into how and why companies succeed or fail.
At 19 years old Mr. Anderson spent two years engaging in mission service in Taiwan. During this time he had the opportunity to learn to speak Mandarin Chinese fluently, work as a caregiver for high-needs individuals, teach English as a second language and forge friendships that he enjoys to this day. It turns out that learning Mandarin Chinese was a blessing in more ways than one. In 2008, his parents adopted a little girl from China.
Honourable Dave Hancock (PC), MLA for Edmonton-Whitemud, appointed Minister of Human Services and Government House Leader for the Alberta Government. UofA Faculty of Law Alumni 1979.
Dave Hancock is in his fifth term as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Whitemud. On May 8, 2012, he was appointed Minister of Human Services and Government House Leader.
In addition, Dave currently serves as a member of the Operations Committee and the Cabinet Policy Committee on Public Health & Safety.
Prior to his current appointment, Dave served as Minister of Education, vice-chair of the Cabinet Policy Committee on Community Services and as a member of the Agenda and Priorities Committee and the Treasury Board.
In his third term, Dave served as Minister of Health and Wellness and as Government House Leader. He was also appointed as a member of the Agenda and Priorities Committee, Treasury Board, the Legislative Review Committee, the Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing Committee, and the Cabinet Policy Committee on Community Services.
He has previously served as the Minister of Advanced Education, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, and vice-chair of the Standing Policy Committee on Education and Employment. During each of his terms in office, Dave has served as a member of Treasury Board and the Agenda and Priorities Committee.
Dave is a lawyer by profession and was a partner with Matheson and Company, Barristers and Solicitors, before entering public service. He received an arts degree in political science and economics, and a law degree from the University of Alberta.
He is a strong believer in giving back to the community. He supports numerous nonprofit and service organizations as time permits, including Success By 6, Meals on Wheels, and Kiwanis Club.
Dave was born in Fort Resolution, N.W.T. He lived in Hazelton, B.C., and the northern Alberta community of Fort Vermilion, graduating from La Crête Public School before moving to Edmonton to attend university.
Honourable Verlyn Olson (PC), MLA for Wetaskiwin-Camrose, names Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for the Alberta Government. UofA Faculty of Law Alumni 1978.
Verlyn Olson, QC, was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Wetaskiwin-Camrose on April 23, 2012. On May 8, 2012 he was named Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
In addition to his role as MLA during his first term, he was appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney General as well as Deputy Government House Leader on February 18, 2011. Mr. Olson also served as deputy chair on the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities and chair of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit Workforce Planning Committee and as a member of the Cabinet Policy Committee on Public Health & Safety.
Previously, Mr. Olson served on the Standing Committees on Public Accounts, Private Bills and Health.
Prior to serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Mr. Olson was a partner with the law firm Andreassen Olson Borth, where his practice focused primarily on real estate, wills, estates and counselling small businesses, assisting farmers, families, seniors and dependent adults.
Additionally, since 1987 Mr. Olson has spoken at various seminars covering topics such as farm estate planning, wills and enduring powers of attorney.
Mr. Olson received both his bachelor of arts in history with distinction and a bachelor of laws from the University of Alberta.
Born and raised in Camrose, Mr. Olson has a long history of community involvement, including coaching local baseball and hockey and membership with local organizations.
The University of Alberta Faculty of Law alumni newly elected to the Alberta Legislature, on April 23, 2012, are:
Shayne Saskiw (W), MLA for Lac La Biche-St. Paul-Two Hills. Appointed as Deputy House Leader and Justice Critic for the Opposition. UofA Faculty of Law Alumni 2006.
Shayne Saskiw was elected as the MLA for Lac La Biche-St Paul-Two Hills on April 23, 2012.
Prior to serving as an MLA, Shayne worked as a taxpayer watchdog, and fought to clean up the tax system to keep more of Albertans' hard earned money in their pockets. He practiced law throughout Lac La Biche, Two Hills, Elk Point, St Paul, and the surrounding areas, as well as taking on a number of pro-bono cases.
Shayne was born and raised on the family farm near Two Hills. It was there that he fell in love with Alberta and the common sense values of its families and the entrepreneurial spirit of the people. Shayne still calls Two Hills home, and is a graduate of the University of Alberta and was a member of the Entrepreneur's Club.