Jonathan Denis facts for kids

Jonathan Brian Denis was born on September 22, 1975. He is a Canadian politician and a lawyer. From 2008 to 2015, he was a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. He represented the area of Calgary-Acadia.

In 2012, he became the Solicitor General, Attorney General, and Minister of Justice for Alberta. He was first elected in 2008. He was one of the youngest people ever to be named to a cabinet position in Alberta's history.

Early Life and Education

Jonathan Denis grew up as the son of a soldier in the Canadian forces. He finished high school at Luther College in Regina, Saskatchewan, in 1993.

He went on to study at the University of Regina, where he earned a degree in commerce in 1997. Later, he studied law at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, finishing in 2000. In 2018, he also completed a special program in corporate governance from the University of Toronto.

Career Before Politics (2000-2008)

Before becoming a politician, Jonathan Denis worked as a senior lawyer. He focused on helping people and businesses work with the government. He also helped start a real estate investment company. He left these jobs when he was elected to the Legislative Assembly.

Serving in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta

Jonathan Denis was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in 2008. He ran as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party.

Early Years as an MLA (2008-2010)

When he was first elected, Denis served on several important committees. These committees helped manage Alberta's savings fund, public money, and health policies. He also worked on a committee that looked at how land is used in Alberta.

Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs (2010-2011)

In 2010, Jonathan Denis became the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs. This meant he was in charge of helping people find homes and improving cities.

In 2011, he helped provide money to support women experiencing homelessness in Calgary. His department also managed to reduce its spending while still meeting its goals, which was praised by a group that watches how governments spend money.

Minister of Justice and Solicitor General (2011-2015)

In 2011, Denis became the Solicitor General and Minister of Public Security. Later, in 2012, he was also named the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. In these roles, he was responsible for law and order in the province.

He worked to increase the number of police officers in both rural and city areas. In 2014, he helped provide a grant to support youth programs in Edmonton. He also made it easier for people to settle small legal disagreements in court without needing a complicated trial. This helped many people get fair access to justice.

In 2014, he took part in an event to raise money and awareness for community support programs. He was re-appointed to his positions by the new Premier, Jim Prentice, in 2014. Jonathan Denis was not re-elected in the 2015 election.

Achievements

In 2009, Jonathan Denis was given the title of Queen's Counsel of Alberta. This is a special honor for experienced lawyers.

In 2010, he was named one of "Top 40 Under 40" by Avenue Magazine. This list recognizes successful young professionals. He was also praised for managing government expenses carefully.

After Politics

After leaving politics, Jonathan Denis founded a law firm called Guardian Law Group. He continues to work as a lawyer.

Election Results