Ron Stevens facts for kids

Ronald Gordon "Ron" Stevens QC (September 17, 1949 – May 13, 2014) was a Canadian politician and lawyer. He was born in Alberta and served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Calgary-Glenmore. This means he was elected to represent people in that area of Alberta. He was part of the Progressive Conservative party. After his time as an MLA, he became a judge.

Early Life and Education

Ron Stevens was born on September 17, 1949, in Empress, Alberta. He went to the University of Calgary, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1971. Later, he studied law at the University of Alberta, getting his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1975.

Before he became a politician, Ron Stevens worked as a lawyer in Calgary. He helped people solve legal problems and settle disagreements. In 1996, he was given the title of Queen's Counsel, which is an honor for experienced lawyers.

Community Involvement

Ron Stevens was very active in his community. He believed in helping people and making his community a better place.

He held several important roles:

• He was the president of the Palliser Bayview Pumphill Community Association.
• He was a director for the Community Mediation Calgary Society.
• He also served as a director for the Federation of Calgary Communities.
• He was a director and vice-chair of the Calgary Housing Authority.

Political Career Highlights

Ron Stevens began his political journey in 1997. He was elected as an MLA for Calgary-Glenmore in the 1997 Alberta general election. He won with a large number of votes.

Serving as a Minister

After being re-elected in 2001, Premier Ralph Klein chose Ron Stevens to be the Minister of Gaming. In this role, he was in charge of the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission. This group manages gambling and alcohol sales in Alberta.

In 2004, after another election win, he became the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. This meant he was the chief legal advisor to the government. He also oversaw the justice system in Alberta.

Deputy Premier and Other Roles

In 2007, Premier Ed Stelmach named Ron Stevens as Alberta's Deputy Premier. This is a very important position, second only to the Premier. He was elected for a fourth time in 2008. He then became the Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations. This role involved working with other countries and different levels of government.

Ron Stevens also served on many different committees and boards. These groups helped make important decisions for Alberta. He was involved in committees dealing with health, education, and government services. He helped lead discussions on various topics, from oil sands strategies to privacy laws.

Laws He Helped Pass

As an MLA, Ron Stevens helped create new laws. He successfully supported two government bills:

• The Holocaust Memorial Day and Genocide Remembrance Act: This law helps remember important historical events.
• The Irrigation Districts Act: This law deals with how water is managed for farming.

He also supported a private member's bill early in his career. This bill was about the Emblems of Alberta (Alberta Dress Tartan) Amendment Act, 2000.

Personal Life

Ron Stevens was married to Phyllis. They had two children together. He passed away on May 13, 2014, at the age of 64.