Mark Norris
Encyclopedia
Mark Norris is an Alberta
politician, former MLA
and candidate for the leadership of the Progressive Conservatives
.
Norris was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta and earned his Bachelor of Arts
in political science from St. Francis Xavier University
in Nova Scotia
.
He returned to Edmonton following his university years and purchased from his father Paul J. Norris, in 1990, an advertising and sign manufacturing company.
Norris won a seat in the Alberta legislature in 2001 provincial election
as the MLA for Edmonton McClung
, becoming a celebrated figure within the party for doing so because he had defeated former Tory
leadership candidate-turned-Liberal
leader Nancy MacBeth
. Norris served as the Minister of Economic Development in the Albertan Cabinet under Premier Ralph Klein, but became the only cabinet minister to lose his seat in the 2004 provincial election
.
Norris does not rule Alberta separatism
out as an option. He told the Calgary Sun
in March 2006 that under his leadership, if a future federal government persisted in bringing in policies harmful to Alberta such as a carbon tax
, "(Alberta is) going to take steps to secede."
On May 30, 2006 Norris became an official candidate in the race to replace Ralph Klein as Premier of Alberta
. On the first ballot, he finished sixth of eight candidates, capturing 6.9% of the vote, and was required to withdraw from the race. He subsequently endorsed eventual winner Ed Stelmach
.
On October 1, 2007, Norris was implicated by a report from Alberta's auditor general for allowing an aide to rack up $30,000 in personal expenses on a government credit card as well as putting $10,000 in personal expenses on his own card. Although the money was eventually repaid, taxpayers had to cover the interest charges.
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
politician, former MLA
Member of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
and candidate for the leadership of the Progressive Conservatives
Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta
The Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta is a provincial centre-right party in the Canadian province of Alberta...
.
Norris was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta and earned his Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in political science from St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University is a post-secondary institution located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The school was founded in 1853, but did not offer degrees until 1868. The university has approximately 5000 students.-History:...
in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
.
He returned to Edmonton following his university years and purchased from his father Paul J. Norris, in 1990, an advertising and sign manufacturing company.
Norris won a seat in the Alberta legislature in 2001 provincial election
Alberta general election, 2001
The Alberta general election of 2001 was the twenty-fifth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on March 12, 2001 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
as the MLA for Edmonton McClung
Edmonton McClung
Edmonton-McClung is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Canada.Edmonton-McClung was created in 1993, and was represented by Grant Mitchell from 1993 to 1998. Mitchell served as leader of the Alberta Liberal Party from 1994 to 1998.In 1998, following Mitchell’s...
, becoming a celebrated figure within the party for doing so because he had defeated former Tory
Tory
Toryism is a traditionalist and conservative political philosophy which grew out of the Cavalier faction in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. It is a prominent ideology in the politics of the United Kingdom, but also features in parts of The Commonwealth, particularly in Canada...
leadership candidate-turned-Liberal
Alberta Liberal Party
The Alberta Liberal Party is a provincial political party in Alberta, Canada. Originally founded in 1905, when the province was created, it was the dominant political party until 1921 when it was defeated. It has never been in government since that time...
leader Nancy MacBeth
Nancy MacBeth
Nancy MacBeth, née Elliott is a Canadian politician, who was the leader of the Alberta Liberal Party from 1998 to 2001.-Early life:...
. Norris served as the Minister of Economic Development in the Albertan Cabinet under Premier Ralph Klein, but became the only cabinet minister to lose his seat in the 2004 provincial election
Alberta general election, 2004
The Alberta general election of 2004 was the twenty-sixth general election for the province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on November 22, 2004 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
.
Norris does not rule Alberta separatism
Alberta separatism
Alberta separatism is a movement that advocates the secession of the province of Alberta from Canada either by forming an independent nation, or by creating a new federation with one or more of Canada's other three westernmost provinces.-Foundations:...
out as an option. He told the Calgary Sun
Calgary Sun
The Calgary Sun is a daily newspaper published in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is a division of Sun Media, a Quebecor company.First published in 1980, the tabloid-format daily replaced the long-running broadsheet newspaper, The Albertan soon after it was acquired by the publishers of the Toronto...
in March 2006 that under his leadership, if a future federal government persisted in bringing in policies harmful to Alberta such as a carbon tax
Carbon tax
A carbon tax is an environmental tax levied on the carbon content of fuels. It is a form of carbon pricing. Carbon is present in every hydrocarbon fuel and is released as carbon dioxide when they are burnt. In contrast, non-combustion energy sources—wind, sunlight, hydropower, and nuclear—do not...
, "(Alberta is) going to take steps to secede."
On May 30, 2006 Norris became an official candidate in the race to replace Ralph Klein as Premier of Alberta
Premier of Alberta
The Premier of Alberta is the first minister for the Canadian province of Alberta. He or she is the province's head of government and de facto chief executive. The current Premier of Alberta is Alison Redford. She became Premier by winning the Progressive Conservative leadership elections on...
. On the first ballot, he finished sixth of eight candidates, capturing 6.9% of the vote, and was required to withdraw from the race. He subsequently endorsed eventual winner Ed Stelmach
Ed Stelmach
Edward Michael "Ed" Stelmach, MLA is a Canadian politician and served as the 13th Premier of Alberta, Canada, from 2006 to 2011. The grandson of Ukrainian immigrants, Stelmach was born and raised on a farm near Lamont and speaks fluent Ukrainian. He spent his entire pre-political adult life as a...
.
On October 1, 2007, Norris was implicated by a report from Alberta's auditor general for allowing an aide to rack up $30,000 in personal expenses on a government credit card as well as putting $10,000 in personal expenses on his own card. Although the money was eventually repaid, taxpayers had to cover the interest charges.