Gary Mar

Gary G. Mar QC, LLB, BComm (born July 26, 1962) is a politician in the Canadian province of Alberta. He served as a MLA for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1993 to 2007. He is the current Alberta representative in Washington, DC.

Early life

Mar was born in Calgary, Alberta and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) at the University of Calgary (1984) and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Alberta (1987).

From 1987 to 1990 Mar worked at the law firm MacKimmie Matthews, Barristers and Solicitors in Calgary and corporate, commercial, and real estate law at Code Hunter, Barristers and Solicitors from 1990 to 1992. In addition he practiced general law in Calgary. He obtained his Queen's Counsel title in 1994.

Politicial career

Mar was first elected the Alberta Legislature in the 1993 Alberta general election. He won the electoral district of Calgary Nose Creek defeating incumbent Liberal MLA Yolande Gagnon.cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/database/maps_choice.asp?Year=1993&Constit=Calgary-Nose_Creek| title=Calgary-Nose Creek results 1993| publisher=Alberta Heritage | accessdate=2008-05-07]

Mar most recently served as the Minister of International and Intergovernmental Affairs (Alberta) from April 2006 - December 2006 . Previously Mar was Minister of Health and Wellness, Minister of Learning, Minister of the Environment, and twice Minister of Community Development. He is currently a member of the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund Committee, the Members’ Services Committee and the Cabinet Policy Committee on Managing Growth Pressures.

Washington

On September 27, 2007, Gary Mar was named Alberta Envoy in Washington, D.C. The Alberta Office in Washington is co-located in the Canadian Embassy and is geared to representing Alberta’s interests to U.S. policymakers and seeking out opportunities for the province. ["Gary Mar named Alberta Envoy in Washington, D.C.", news release, (http://gov.ab.ca/acn/200709/22192485EB59E-F67D-53A8-7943FA3891132AA5.html), September 27, 2007. Retrieved on September 28, 2007. ]

Mar is an active member of the Chinese community in Alberta:

* Member of the Calgary Sien Lok Society 1987 to 1993
* vice-president of the Calgary Chinatown Development Foundation 1990 to 1993

Mar is married to Nancy and has three children (Lauren, Jared, and Mackenzie).

References

External links

* [http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=15 Minister of International and Intergovernmental Relations]
* [http://www.health.gov.ab.ca/resources/publications/pdf/CHRConsulting.pdf A Report To The Honorable Gary Mar Alberta Minister Of Health and Wellness]