Almighty God,we thank you today for the Honourable Gene Zwosdesky. We pray your richest
blessings upon him as he continues to serve with excellence and integrity in
his role as Member of the Legislative Assembly for Edmonton-Millcreek. May you
grant him continued insights and clarity into the issues he must address at the
constituency level. However, we also request you provide him ongoing wisdom and
conviction in his many and significant role as Speaker of the House. Father
God, as he oversees the workings and people of the Legislative Assembly
Complex, both in and out of the House, may he know the full measure of your
love, care, compassion and favour. May you also watch over his family and staff
in their many dimensions of life and work. We pray in Jesus’ Lovely Name! Amen!
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
On April 23, 2012, Gene Zwozdesky was elected to his sixth term as the
MLA for Edmonton-Mill Creek. He was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
on May 23, 2012, and appointed chair of the Special Standing Committee on
Members’ Services on May 24, 2012.
MLA for Edmonton-Mill Creek. He was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
on May 23, 2012, and appointed chair of the Special Standing Committee on
Members’ Services on May 24, 2012.
Mr. Zwozdesky sits on the executive of the Commonwealth Parliamentary
Association as the Canada Regional Representative.
Association as the Canada Regional Representative.
In addition to his role as MLA, Mr. Zwozdesky chaired the Standing
Committee on Community Development.
Committee on Community Development.
He previously served as Minister of Alberta Health and Wellness,
Minister of Aboriginal Relations, Minister of Education, and Minister of
Community Development. He was also the Associate Minister of Health and
Wellness (1999) and of Capital Planning (2007).
Minister of Aboriginal Relations, Minister of Education, and Minister of
Community Development. He was also the Associate Minister of Health and
Wellness (1999) and of Capital Planning (2007).
Mr. Zwozdesky was a member of the Standing Committee on Privileges and
Elections, Standing Orders and Printing and the Cabinet Policy Committee on
Community Development.
Elections, Standing Orders and Printing and the Cabinet Policy Committee on
Community Development.
An adjunct professor at the University of Alberta, Mr. Zwozdesky has a
bachelor of arts degree and a bachelor of education degree from the University
of Alberta as well as accreditation courses in public administration.
bachelor of arts degree and a bachelor of education degree from the University
of Alberta as well as accreditation courses in public administration.
Before becoming an MLA, Mr. Zwozdesky worked as a teacher,
administrator, professional musician and business owner. He was also the
Executive Director of the Alberta Cultural Heritage Foundation and of the
Alberta Ukrainian Canadian Centennial Commission, as well as Music Director for
the Shumka Dancers and Cheremosh Dancers.
administrator, professional musician and business owner. He was also the
Executive Director of the Alberta Cultural Heritage Foundation and of the
Alberta Ukrainian Canadian Centennial Commission, as well as Music Director for
the Shumka Dancers and Cheremosh Dancers.
Mr. Zwozdesky is actively involved in his community. He is President of
the Alberta Friends of Golf Association and a member of: the Edmonton Chamber
of Commerce, Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations, Order of St. Andrew,
Rainbow Society of Alberta, St. John’s Fraternal Society, Big Miller Bandwagon
Statue Project, and the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of
Canada (SOCAN). He is also an Honourary Life-time Member of the Edmonton
Musicians’ Association (Local 390), the Twin Parks Community League, and the
Ukrainian Shumka Dancers. Previously, Mr. Zwozdesky was an executive member of
the Alberta Folk Arts Council, Alberta Recording Industry Association, Edmonton
Canada Day Committee, Edmonton Heritage Festival Association and Capital City
Savings (SERVUS) Ukrainian Community Council. He was the co-founder and
producer of the Great Canadian Awards and Honorary Mayor of Kananaskis Country.
He has served as a volunteer auctioneer for numerous organizations and has
helped raise over $5 million for charitable causes.
the Alberta Friends of Golf Association and a member of: the Edmonton Chamber
of Commerce, Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations, Order of St. Andrew,
Rainbow Society of Alberta, St. John’s Fraternal Society, Big Miller Bandwagon
Statue Project, and the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of
Canada (SOCAN). He is also an Honourary Life-time Member of the Edmonton
Musicians’ Association (Local 390), the Twin Parks Community League, and the
Ukrainian Shumka Dancers. Previously, Mr. Zwozdesky was an executive member of
the Alberta Folk Arts Council, Alberta Recording Industry Association, Edmonton
Canada Day Committee, Edmonton Heritage Festival Association and Capital City
Savings (SERVUS) Ukrainian Community Council. He was the co-founder and
producer of the Great Canadian Awards and Honorary Mayor of Kananaskis Country.
He has served as a volunteer auctioneer for numerous organizations and has
helped raise over $5 million for charitable causes.
Gene Zwozdesky has received many awards and recognitions, including:
- Queen’s
Diamond Jubilee Medal, 2012 - Taras
Shevchenko Medal, 2009 - Ami de la francophonie lors de Rond Point
- Alberta
Association of Rehab Centres Trail Breaker Award - Alberta
Council for the Ukrainian Arts Award - Alberta
Motion Picture Industry Film Composer Award - Alberta
Recording Industries Association (ARIA) Award of Distinction - Blauen-Funken
Prinzengarde Honorary Knight Award - CFCW
Canadian Ukrainian Music Hall of Fame - City
of Edmonton Ambassador Award for Business and Tourism - Congress
of Black Women of Canada Merit Award - Council
of India Societies Merit Award - Edmonton
Folk Arts Council Heritage Development Award - Edmonton
Musicians Association Honorary Life Member Award - Friends
of Focus Award (for work with disability groups) - Friends
of Inner City Edmonton Appreciation Award - Government
of Canada Merit Award for Multiculturalism - Lebanese
Cultural Association (Lac La Biche) Honorary Member Award - Pakistan
Canada Association Community Service Award - Province
of Alberta Achievement Award for Culture - Queens
Golden Jubilee Medal - Royal
Canadian Legion Community Service Award - Royal
Canadian Norwood Legion Honorary Life Member Award - Sikh
Federation of Edmonton Outstanding Community Services Award - Twin
Parks Community League Honorary Life Member Award - Ukrainian
Canadian Social Services Certificate of Recognition - Ukrainian
Shumka Dancers Lifetime Member Award - Vohon
Ukrainian Dance Ensemble Recognition Award - 2005
Alberta Centennial Medal
For the 2009 and 2010 Mardi Gras Season, Gene and his wife, Christine,
were crowned « Prince and Princess » of the German Blauen-Funken
Karneval.
were crowned « Prince and Princess » of the German Blauen-Funken
Karneval.
October 30, 2012