Carl Benito

Infobox_Politician


name = Carl Benito
small| caption =
birth_date = birth date and age|1954|2|21
birth_place = Manila, Philippines
residence = Edmonton, Alberta
office = MLA for Edmonton-Mill Woods
term_start = 2008
term_end =
predecessor = Weslyn Mather
successor = incumbent
party = Progressive Conservative
religion =
spouse = Estrella
occupation = realtor, investor

Carl Benito (born February 21, 1954 in Manila, Philippines) is a Canadian politician and current Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Edmonton-Mill Woods as a member of the Progressive Conservatives.

Early life

Benito was born February 21, 1954 in Manila to father Herminio Benito, an employee with the Philippines health department, and mother Rosa Manansala-Benito. He was the fourth of five children. Benito immigrated to Canada in March of 1982. Prior to his election in 2008, Benito was a licensed real estate and insurance agent in Edmonton for 23 years. He holds a commerce degree from Far Eastern University in Manila and an economics degree from the University of Alberta.

Political career

Benito first sought public office in the 2001 provincial election in the constituency of Edmonton-Mill Woods. He was unsuccessful in the electoral bid losing to Liberal Don Massey by 518 votes. In the 2008 provincial election, Benito unseated the first-term Liberal incumbent Weslyn Mather by 756 votes. He is the first Filipino elected to the provincial legislature in Alberta.

Personal life

Benito has been married to Estrella Benito, a registered nurse, for 28 years, and they have three children together. An avid martial arts enthusiast, Benito has been a trainer at the YMCA in Edmonton and with the Philippine Military Academy. He has collaborated on a book on the stick-fighting art of Arnis.cite web |url=http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=38 |title=Benito's Legislative Assembly of Alberta biography]

Election Results

References