Halvar Jonson

Halvar C. Jonson (born August 14, 1941 Athabasca, Alberta Canada). is a former teacher and high school principal. He was also a long serving provincial politician from Alberta, Canada. He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta and cabinet minister in the provincial government from 1982 until 2004.

Early life

Jonson was born in Athabasca, Alberta Canada on August 14, 1941.cite web|url=http://www.gunzburger.com/Jonson-Halvar.htm|title=Halvar C. Jonson | author=Ron Gunzburger|publisher=Politics1 Canada] He served as president of the Alberta Teachers' Association from 1976 until 1977.cite web|url=http://www.teachers.ab.ca/About+the+ATA/History/Past+Presidents.htm | title=Past Presidents | publisher=Alberta Teachers' Association|accessdate=2008-03-22]

Political career

Jonson was first elected to the Alberta Legislature in the 1982 Alberta general election. He defeated Tom Butterfield from the Western Canada Concept and three other candidates to win his first term in office. His win held the Ponoka electoral district for the Progressive Conservatives.cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/database/maps_choice.asp?Year=1982&Constit=Ponoka | title=Ponoka election results 1982 general election|publisher=Alberta Heritage|accessdate=2008-03-22] Due to redistribution of electoral district boundaries in the 1986 Alberta general election Ponoka was abolished and re-created as Ponoka-Rimbey. Jonson ran for his second term in the new electoral district and won easily defeating three other candidates. He stood for a third term in office in the 1989 Alberta general election fending off a strong challenge from Doug Hart of the New Democrats and one other candidate.cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/database/maps_choice.asp?Year=198&Constit=Ponoka-Rimbey | title=Ponoka-Rimbey election results 1986-1989 general election|publisher=Alberta Heritage|accessdate=2008-03-22]

Jonson would see his popular vote grow in his bid for a fourth term for office in the 1993 Alberta general election. He was easily reelected defeating four other candidates. He would be returned for a fifth consecutive term. The race for the 1997 Alberta general election would see support build for second place Randy Jones of Social Credit.cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/database/maps_choice.asp?Year=199&Constit=Ponoka-Rimbey | title=Ponoka-Rimbey election results 1993-1997 general election|publisher=Alberta Heritage|accessdate=2008-03-22] Jonson would see his popular support marginally drop but still win the electoral district by a wide margin. In the 2001 Alberta general election, Jonson would set a personal record for the largest plurality of his career. He would be returned to the Legislature in a landslide for his sixth and final term.cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/database/maps_choice.asp?Year=2001&Constit=Ponoka-Rimbey | title=Ponoka-Rimbey election results 2001 general election|publisher=Alberta Heritage|accessdate=2008-03-22] Jonson retired at dissolution of the Legislature in 2004. His electoral district of Ponoka-Rimbey was abolished due to redistribution.

Late life and legacy

In honour of Jonson's public service the provincial government built the Halvar Jonson Centre for Brain Injury in Ponoka, Alberta cite web|url=http://www.dthr.ab.ca/services/BrainInjury/index.htm|title=Halvar Jonson Centre for Brain Injury|publisher=David Thompson Health Region|accessdate=2008-03-22]

References

External links

* [http://www.assembly.ab.ca/legislaturecentennial/pdf/membersBooklet.pdf Legislative Assembly of Alberta Members Listing]