Janis Tarchuk was first elected on March 11, 1997, and is serving her fourth term as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Banff-Cochrane.

During this time she has chaired several key committees related to economic development, finance, taxation, sustainable development and health and has served as Minister of Children and Youth Services and Minister of Children´s Services.

Currently Ms Tarchuk is chair of the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund, a member of the Cabinet Policy Committee on Community Services and government liaison to the new provincial corporation Alberta Innovates: Technology Futures. The Premier has also appointed her to the Alberta Competitiveness Council as co-chair of the financial services review.

Ms Tarchuk has a long history of community involvement. Prior to provincial politics she was chair of the Headwaters health board, vice-chair of the Banff health unit, trustee with the Canadian Rockies school division, executive member of the Alberta School Boards Association, director of Jubilee Insurance and a board member of the Alberta Educational Technology and Research Foundation.

Born and raised in Guelph, Ontario, Ms Tarchuk received her bachelor of arts degree majoring in political science at the University of Guelph.

As a resident of the Bow Valley for over 30 years her personal interests include skiing, hiking, reading and the many local cultural opportunities.

Ms Tarchuk and her husband, Byron, live in Banff and have two grown children.

May 18, 2010