Minister of Health and Wellness

Deputy Government House Leader

Gene Zwozdesky was elected to his fifth term as MLA for Edmonton-Mill Creek on March 3, 2008, and currently serves as Minister of Health and Wellness and Deputy Government House Leader. In addition to his duties as MLA and minister he is currently a member of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing.

Mr. Zwozdesky served as Minister of Aboriginal Relations, Minister of both the Education and the Community Development portfolios and Associate Minister of the departments of Health and Wellness and Capital Planning.

He was born in 1948 in Saskatchewan, moved to Alberta in 1950, lived in Grand Centre, Hinton and Sangudo, and has lived in Edmonton since 1963. He has a bachelor of arts degree and a bachelor of education degree from the University of Alberta and accreditation courses in public administration. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Alberta.

Before politics Mr. Zwozdesky worked as a teacher, administrator, professional musician and businessman. He was the executive director of the Alberta Cultural Heritage Foundation and the Alberta Ukrainian Canadian Centennial Commission, as well as music director for the Shumka Dancers and Cheremosh Dancers. He was a volunteer executive member of the Alberta Folk Arts Council, Alberta Recording Industry Association, Edmonton Canada Day Committee, Edmonton Heritage Festival Association, Capital City Savings (SERVUS) Ukrainian Community Council, and the Great Canadian Awards (co-founder and producer).

Currently he is a volunteer member of the Alberta Friends of Golf Association (president), Big Miller Bandwagon Statue Project, Northern Alberta Alliance on Race Relations, Order of St. Andrew, Rainbow Society of Alberta, St. John's Fraternal Society, and the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce. He is also a 20-year member of SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada).

Mr. Zwozdesky coached soccer, baseball and hockey, and was the honourary mayor of Kananaskis Country, and has been a volunteer auctioneer for dozens of charitable causes.

He has received numerous awards and recognitions, including:

• 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 Industries Film Composer Award
• Alberta Recording Industries Association (ARIA) Award of Distinction
• Blauen-Funken Prinzengarde Honourary 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 Honourary 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) Honourary 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 Honourary Life Member Award
• Sikh Federation of Edmonton Outstanding Community Services Award
• Twin Parks Community League Honourary 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

January 15, 2010