Dave Rodney
Encyclopedia
Dave Rodney is a Canadian
politician and current Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
representing the constituency of Calgary-Lougheed
as a Progressive Conservative
. He was first elected in the 2004 provincial election
and reelected in 2008. He holds the distinction of being the only Canadian to ascend to the summit of Mount Everest
twice.
, Saskatchewan
. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree (with distinction) in 1987 and Bachelor of Education after-degree in 1988 from the University of Saskatchewan
. He obtained his Master of Religious Education (with distinction) from Newman Theological College in Edmonton
in 2002.
Prior to being elected into the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
, Rodney worked in a variety of capacities. He was an educator and administrator for 13 years in Canada
, Nepal
and the West Indies, and worked for three terms as an Employment and Immigration Canada placement officer. In 1997 he founded SpiritQuest Enterprises Inc., of which he was both president and CEO. He became an international keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and worldwide adventure guide and worked with National Geographic, BBC
, and Oprah Winfrey
, among others, to produce more than 20 books and documentaries. He cofounded the Top of the World Society for Children with his wife, Jennifer.
in the constituency of Calgary-Lougheed
. In that election, he received 60% of the vote. During his first term in office, in addition to his responsibilities as an MLA, Rodney held the title of chair for each of Calgary caucus, the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices, and the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC). He was also the government liaison for the Strategic Tourism Marketing Council, and served as a member on numerous committees.
While Dave Rodney was Chairman of the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC), specifically between January 2004 and September 2006, executive director Lloyd Carr (in charge of the commission's tobacco reduction unit) defrauded his agency of $624,500 through phony teen smoking reduction program grants of funds that Carr himself was the ultimate recipient of, according to the Alberta Auditor General's investigation and report http://www.oag.ab.ca/files/oag/November_2006_Report.pdf . The Auditor General was severly critical of AADAC management's hiring and contracting practices, the absence of control mechanisms, as well as the Board's failure to provide oversight and general lack of substantive involvement in governance.http://www.oag.ab.ca/files/oag/November_2006_Report.pdf. Carr was convicted of fraud and sentenced to 42 months imprisonment in 2010 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2010/04/16/edmonton-carr-sentencing-friday.html .
Rodney sponsored a number of bills during the 26th Legislature; he sponsored one private member's bill, Smoke-free Places Act, 2005 and one private bill, Burns Memorial Trust Amendment Act, 2006, in addition to four government bills: Hotel Room Tax (Tourism Levy) Amendment Act, 2005, Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2007, Access to the Future Amendment Act, 2007, and Insurance Amendment Act, 2007.
On March 3, 2008, Rodney was reelected to a second term as MLA for Calgary-Lougheed
with 53% of the vote. In the 27th Legislature, he sponsored a private member's bill, the Alberta Income Tax (Physical Activity Credit) Amendment Act, 2008. He is the current chair of the all-party Policy Field Committee on Community Services, government liaison to the Strategic Tourism Marketing Commission, and member of each of the Agenda and Priorities Committee, Special Standing Committee on Members Services, and Cabinet Policy Committee on Community Services.
Tragedy marred Rodney's 1999 ascent of Everest. Michael Matthews, a member of Rodney's expedition and the youngest Briton to climb Everest, died during his descent. Dave Rodney alleged that oxygen sets were inadequate, that organisation of the expedition by OTT was incompetent generally, and that guide and OTT member Nick Kekus tried to strike him with an oxygen bottle. OTT confessed that
Nick Kekus had lost patience with Dave Rodney, but placed the blame for many of the expedition's problems on Rodney himself, according to "Everest Uncensored" by Nick Fielding, also articles in The Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2001/nov/11/focus.news .
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 Calgary-Lougheed
Calgary Lougheed
Calgary Lougheed is a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. It is one of 83 districts 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 was first elected 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....
and reelected in 2008. He holds the distinction of being the only Canadian to ascend to the summit of Mount Everest
Mount Everest
Mount Everest is the world's highest mountain, with a peak at above sea level. It is located in the Mahalangur section of the Himalayas. The international boundary runs across the precise summit point...
twice.
Early life
Rodney was born June 27, 1964 in MankotaYorkton, Saskatchewan
Yorkton is a city located in southeastern Saskatchewan, Canada, near the Manitoba border. Founded and incorporated in 1882 by a group of settlers from Ontario, it has grown to 15,038 residents as of the 2006 census. The city is bordered by the Rural Municipality of Orkney No. 244 and the Rural...
, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree (with distinction) in 1987 and Bachelor of Education after-degree in 1988 from the University of Saskatchewan
University of Saskatchewan
The University of Saskatchewan is a Canadian public research university, founded in 1907, and located on the east side of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. An "Act to establish and incorporate a University for the Province of Saskatchewan" was passed by the...
. He obtained his Master of Religious Education (with distinction) from Newman Theological College in Edmonton
Edmonton
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...
in 2002.
Prior to being elected into 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...
, Rodney worked in a variety of capacities. He was an educator and administrator for 13 years in Canada
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...
, Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
and the West Indies, and worked for three terms as an Employment and Immigration Canada placement officer. In 1997 he founded SpiritQuest Enterprises Inc., of which he was both president and CEO. He became an international keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and worldwide adventure guide and worked with National Geographic, BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, and Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Winfrey is best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011...
, among others, to produce more than 20 books and documentaries. He cofounded the Top of the World Society for Children with his wife, Jennifer.
Political life
Rodney first sought public office in the 2004 provincial electionAlberta 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....
in the constituency of Calgary-Lougheed
Calgary Lougheed
Calgary Lougheed is a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. It is one of 83 districts mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta using the first past the post method of voting....
. In that election, he received 60% of the vote. During his first term in office, in addition to his responsibilities as an MLA, Rodney held the title of chair for each of Calgary caucus, the Standing Committee on Legislative Offices, and the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC). He was also the government liaison for the Strategic Tourism Marketing Council, and served as a member on numerous committees.
While Dave Rodney was Chairman of the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC), specifically between January 2004 and September 2006, executive director Lloyd Carr (in charge of the commission's tobacco reduction unit) defrauded his agency of $624,500 through phony teen smoking reduction program grants of funds that Carr himself was the ultimate recipient of, according to the Alberta Auditor General's investigation and report http://www.oag.ab.ca/files/oag/November_2006_Report.pdf . The Auditor General was severly critical of AADAC management's hiring and contracting practices, the absence of control mechanisms, as well as the Board's failure to provide oversight and general lack of substantive involvement in governance.http://www.oag.ab.ca/files/oag/November_2006_Report.pdf. Carr was convicted of fraud and sentenced to 42 months imprisonment in 2010 http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/story/2010/04/16/edmonton-carr-sentencing-friday.html .
Rodney sponsored a number of bills during the 26th Legislature; he sponsored one private member's bill, Smoke-free Places Act, 2005 and one private bill, Burns Memorial Trust Amendment Act, 2006, in addition to four government bills: Hotel Room Tax (Tourism Levy) Amendment Act, 2005, Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2007, Access to the Future Amendment Act, 2007, and Insurance Amendment Act, 2007.
On March 3, 2008, Rodney was reelected to a second term as MLA for Calgary-Lougheed
Calgary Lougheed
Calgary Lougheed is a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. It is one of 83 districts mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta using the first past the post method of voting....
with 53% of the vote. In the 27th Legislature, he sponsored a private member's bill, the Alberta Income Tax (Physical Activity Credit) Amendment Act, 2008. He is the current chair of the all-party Policy Field Committee on Community Services, government liaison to the Strategic Tourism Marketing Commission, and member of each of the Agenda and Priorities Committee, Special Standing Committee on Members Services, and Cabinet Policy Committee on Community Services.
Personal life
Rodney is married to Jennifer. The couple has two children, Dawson and Evan, and a puppy named MacGyver. Rodney has long been an active volunteer; prior to entering politics, he worked for more than 60 charities, both locally and globally. He has received many accolades for his philanthropic work and personal accomplishments, including the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for community service, a spot on Alberta Venture magazine's list of Alberta's 50 Most Influential People, and the dedication of Rodney Ridge in his hometown, where he holds a spot on the sports hall of fame.Tragedy marred Rodney's 1999 ascent of Everest. Michael Matthews, a member of Rodney's expedition and the youngest Briton to climb Everest, died during his descent. Dave Rodney alleged that oxygen sets were inadequate, that organisation of the expedition by OTT was incompetent generally, and that guide and OTT member Nick Kekus tried to strike him with an oxygen bottle. OTT confessed that
Nick Kekus had lost patience with Dave Rodney, but placed the blame for many of the expedition's problems on Rodney himself, according to "Everest Uncensored" by Nick Fielding, also articles in The Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/2001/nov/11/focus.news .
Election results
| 2008 Alberta general election results ( Calgary-Lougheed Calgary Lougheed Calgary Lougheed is a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. It is one of 83 districts 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 40.2% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Affiliation | Candidate | Votes | % |
Progressive Conservative | Dave Rodney | 7,252 | 53% |
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... |
Lori Czerwinski | 3,941 | 29% |
Wildrose Alliance Wildrose Alliance Party of Alberta The Wildrose Party, formerly Wildrose Alliance Party, is a conservative provincial political party in Alberta, Canada. It includes free market conservative, libertarian and socially conservative factions and was formed in 2008 following a merger of the Wildrose Party of Alberta and the Alberta... |
Derrick Jacobson | 1,626 | 12% |
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... |
Bernie Amell | 528 | 4% |
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... |
Clint Marko | 339 | 2% |
Independent Independent (politician) In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do... |
G. Keith Laurie | 102 | 1% | |
| 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 ( Calgary-Lougheed Calgary Lougheed Calgary Lougheed is a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. It is one of 83 districts 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 40.7% | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Affiliation | Candidate | Votes | % |
Progressive Conservative | Dave Rodney | 6,336 | 59.8% |
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... |
Al Pollock | 2,972 | 28.1% |
Alberta Alliance | Tariq Khan | 445 | 4.2% |
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... |
Ryan Boucher | 471 | 4.5% |
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... |
Matt Koczkur | 365 | 3.4% | |||||