Thomas Lukaszuk
Encyclopedia
Thomas A. Lukaszuk is a Canadian
politician and current Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
representing the constituency of Edmonton-Castle Downs
as a Progressive Conservative
. He is currently the Minister of Education (formerly the Minister of Employment and Immigration).
and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Alberta
and became a teacher with the Edmonton Catholic School District before starting up Injured Workers Advocates Inc. (IWA), a firm designed to assist injured workers with work-related injury claims. He was also active in policymaking, serving on the Social Care Facilities Review Committee; the Citizens Appeal Panel (chair), which led to government policy changes to social benefits; and the Alberta Lotteries Review Committee. He conducted a review of Alberta daycares, foster homes, group homes and homeless shelters for the Minister of Children's Services.
MLA Pamela Paul's
retirement opened the door for Lukaszuk to win the constituency. Garnering 5,971 votes in the 2001 provincial election
, he was able to increase the Progressive Conservative vote share to 51 per cent, up from the 40 per cent Ihor Broda polled in losing to Paul in 1997. Upon his election, he became the first ever Polish-born person to be elected to a Canadian legislature.
In his first term in office, Lukaszuk sponsored Bill 204, a private members bill known as the Blood Samples Act, which passed third reading on March 31, 2004 and was passed into law on May 11, 2004. The act granted authority to Good Samaritans, front-line emergency workers, police officers, fire fighters, correctional officers, and health service providers to seek an order from the justice system to take a blood sample from a person who has refused to give their consent. The act intended to protect individuals who believe they had come into contact with the body fluid of a person who is infected with a virus that causes a prescribed communicable disease.
In the 2004 provincial election
, Lukaszuk was originally declared defeated by the Liberals'
Chris Kibermanis
, a former draft pick of the NHL's
Winnipeg Jets. Election night results showed Kibermanis winning by a five-vote margin over Lukaszuk. An automatic judicial recount confirmed Kibermanis's win by three votes rather than five, and Kibermanis was declared the winner by the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. However, the Progressive Conservative Party
appealed the recount to the Alberta Court of Appeals, which disputed a number o previously rejected ballots, giving Lukaszuk a three-vote margin of victory. The ordeal earned Lukaszuk the moniker "Landslide Lukaszuk," which has been ascribed to him in the local media. Kibermanis again challenged Lukaszuk in the 2008 provincial election, but was defeated by 2,080 votes.
In his time as an MLA, Lukaszuk has served on a total of 21 legislative committees, chairing six of them. After being elected to his third term in 2008, Premier Ed Stelmach
named him parliamentary assistant to Municipal Affairs Minister Ray Danyluk
. On January 13, 2010, Lukaszuk was appointed as Minister of Employment and Immigration and on October 12, 2011 was appointed as Minister of Education by Premier Alison Redford
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician and current Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is one of two components of the Legislature of Alberta, the other being the Queen, represented by the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. The Alberta legislature meets in the Alberta Legislature Building in the provincial capital, Edmonton...
representing the constituency of Edmonton-Castle Downs
Edmonton Castle Downs
Edmonton Castle Downs is a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. The district is one of 83 mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta using the first past the post method of voting....
as a Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta
The Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta is a provincial centre-right party in the Canadian province of Alberta...
. He is currently the Minister of Education (formerly the Minister of Employment and Immigration).
Early life
Lukaszuk was raised in north EdmontonEdmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
and became a teacher with the Edmonton Catholic School District before starting up Injured Workers Advocates Inc. (IWA), a firm designed to assist injured workers with work-related injury claims. He was also active in policymaking, serving on the Social Care Facilities Review Committee; the Citizens Appeal Panel (chair), which led to government policy changes to social benefits; and the Alberta Lotteries Review Committee. He conducted a review of Alberta daycares, foster homes, group homes and homeless shelters for the Minister of Children's Services.
Political career
Former Edmonton-Castle DownsEdmonton Castle Downs
Edmonton Castle Downs is a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. The district is one of 83 mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta using the first past the post method of voting....
MLA Pamela Paul's
Pamela Paul
Pamela Paul is an American journalist, an editor of the New York Times Book Review, and the author of three books, The Starter Marriage and the Future of Matrimony , Pornified: How Pornography Is Transforming Our Lives, Our Relationships and our Families , and "Parenting, Inc.: How We Are Sold on...
retirement opened the door for Lukaszuk to win the constituency. Garnering 5,971 votes in the 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....
, he was able to increase the Progressive Conservative vote share to 51 per cent, up from the 40 per cent Ihor Broda polled in losing to Paul in 1997. Upon his election, he became the first ever Polish-born person to be elected to a Canadian legislature.
In his first term in office, Lukaszuk sponsored Bill 204, a private members bill known as the Blood Samples Act, which passed third reading on March 31, 2004 and was passed into law on May 11, 2004. The act granted authority to Good Samaritans, front-line emergency workers, police officers, fire fighters, correctional officers, and health service providers to seek an order from the justice system to take a blood sample from a person who has refused to give their consent. The act intended to protect individuals who believe they had come into contact with the body fluid of a person who is infected with a virus that causes a prescribed communicable disease.
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....
, Lukaszuk was originally declared defeated by the Liberals'
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...
Chris Kibermanis
Chris Kibermanis
Chris Kibermanis was the Liberal Candidate during the 2004 Alberta Provincial Election. Kibermanis represented Edmonton Castle Downs for the Alberta Liberal Party.Prior to his short political career he was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in 1994...
, a former draft pick of the NHL's
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
Winnipeg Jets. Election night results showed Kibermanis winning by a five-vote margin over Lukaszuk. An automatic judicial recount confirmed Kibermanis's win by three votes rather than five, and Kibermanis was declared the winner by the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. However, the Progressive Conservative Party
Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta
The Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta is a provincial centre-right party in the Canadian province of Alberta...
appealed the recount to the Alberta Court of Appeals, which disputed a number o previously rejected ballots, giving Lukaszuk a three-vote margin of victory. The ordeal earned Lukaszuk the moniker "Landslide Lukaszuk," which has been ascribed to him in the local media. Kibermanis again challenged Lukaszuk in the 2008 provincial election, but was defeated by 2,080 votes.
In his time as an MLA, Lukaszuk has served on a total of 21 legislative committees, chairing six of them. After being elected to his third term in 2008, Premier 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...
named him parliamentary assistant to Municipal Affairs Minister Ray Danyluk
Ray Danyluk
Ray Danyluk is a farmer and provincial politician from Alberta, Canada. He currently serves as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 2001 to present sitting with the Progressive Conservative caucus in government...
. On January 13, 2010, Lukaszuk was appointed as Minister of Employment and Immigration and on October 12, 2011 was appointed as Minister of Education by Premier Alison Redford
Alison Redford
Alison Merrilla Redford Q.C., MLA, is a Canadian politician, and the 14th and current Premier of Alberta, Canada. Upon winning the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta, in October 2011, she became the first female premier in Alberta...
.
Personal life
Lukaszuk enjoys travelling, reading and participating in child-based activities. He coached soccer through the Edmonton Northwood Community League, has been a Scout leader and is a strong supporter of the Hope Foundation. He is a past president of the Youth Friendship Society and a Knight of Columbus. He has been decorated with the Queens Golden Jubilee Medal for his community service and the Alberta Centennial Medal for his contributions to the province.Election results
| 2008 Alberta general election results ( Edmonton-Castle Downs Edmonton Castle Downs Edmonton Castle Downs is a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. The district is one of 83 mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta using the first past the post method of voting.... ) |
font style="font-size: 90%;">Turnout 40.3% | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Affiliation | Candidate | Votes | % |
Progressive Conservative | Thomas Lukaszuk | 7,159 | 51.6% |
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... |
Chris Kibermanis Chris Kibermanis Chris Kibermanis was the Liberal Candidate during the 2004 Alberta Provincial Election. Kibermanis represented Edmonton Castle Downs for the Alberta Liberal Party.Prior to his short political career he was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in 1994... |
5,090 | 36.7% |
Green Green Party of Alberta The Green Party of Alberta, also known as the Alberta Greens, was a provincial political party in the province of Alberta, Canada.The Alberta Greens were formed in 1986 and received official party status on April 6, 1990... |
Bob Reckhow | 297 | 2.1% |
NDP Alberta New Democratic Party The Alberta New Democratic Party or Alberta NDP is a social-democratic political party in Alberta, Canada, which was originally founded as the Alberta section of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation... |
Ali Haymour | 1,341 | 9.7% | |||||
| 2004 Alberta general 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.... results ( Edmonton-Castle Downs Edmonton Castle Downs Edmonton Castle Downs is a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. The district is one of 83 mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta using the first past the post method of voting.... ) |
font style="font-size: 90%;">Turnout 41.3% | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Affiliation | Candidate | Votes | % |
Progressive Conservative | Thomas Lukaszuk | 5,022 | 41.8% |
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... |
Chris Kibermanis Chris Kibermanis Chris Kibermanis was the Liberal Candidate during the 2004 Alberta Provincial Election. Kibermanis represented Edmonton Castle Downs for the Alberta Liberal Party.Prior to his short political career he was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in 1994... |
5,019 | 41.8% |
Alberta Alliance | Colin Presizniuk | 586 | 4.9% |
NDP Alberta New Democratic Party The Alberta New Democratic Party or Alberta NDP is a social-democratic political party in Alberta, Canada, which was originally founded as the Alberta section of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation... |
Peter Cross | 1,314 | 10.9% |
Social Credit Social Credit Party of Alberta The Alberta Social Credit Party is a provincial political party in Alberta, Canada, that was founded on the social credit monetary policy and conservative Christian social values.... |
Ross Korpi | 78 | 0.6% | |
| 2001 Alberta general 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.... results ( Edmonton-Castle Downs Edmonton Castle Downs Edmonton Castle Downs is a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. The district is one of 83 mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta using the first past the post method of voting.... ) |
font style="font-size: 90%;">Turnout 46.9% | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Affiliation | Candidate | Votes | % |
Progressive Conservative | Thomas Lukaszuk | 5,971 | 51.1% |
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... |
Boris Yaremko | 4,479 | 38.3% |
NDP Alberta New Democratic Party The Alberta New Democratic Party or Alberta NDP is a social-democratic political party in Alberta, Canada, which was originally founded as the Alberta section of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation... |
Michael Charrois | 1,235 | 10.6% | |||||||||