Christine Cusanelli
 |
Christine Cusanelli | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly for Calgary-Currie | |
| In office April 23, 2012 – May 5, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Dave Taylor |
| Succeeded by | Brian Malkinson |
| Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation | |
| In office May 8, 2012 – February 4, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Jack Hayden |
| Succeeded by | Richard Starke |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 15, 1972 |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative |
| Alma mater | University of Alberta |
| Profession | Educator |
Christine Cusanelli, MLA, (born July 15, 1972) was a Canadian politician who represented the electoral district of Calgary-Currie in the Alberta Legislature. Cusanelli was elected to her first term as MLA for Calgary-Currie on April 23, 2012. Cusanelli was the minister for Tourism, Parks, and Recreation from May 8, 2012,[1] until February 4, 2013. On May 5, 2015 she was voted out of office in Alberta's general election, losing her seat to Brian Malkinson of Alberta New Democratic Party in a landslide victory that saw the NDP end the PC Party of Alberta's 44 year political dynasty.
Education and work
Cusanelli has a Bachelor of Education degree from Faculté Saint-Jean at the University of Alberta, and a master's degree in psychology from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. She started her career as a teacher with the Calgary Catholic School District where she taught elementary and junior-high students in French immersion and other educational settings. Most recently Cusanelli led St. Michael's School (K-9) in implementing two International Baccalaureate programs. She has been a keen supporter and advocate for students with special needs and learning challenges.[citation needed]
She became a principal at age 32. In this role she began an outreach program that included visiting seniors' homes, working with Inn from The Cold] and opening the school up to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary.
In the News
In 2012, while in Alison Redford's cabinet, Cusanelli chose to repay 31 items adding up to $10,600 in expenses, including $4,000 in airfare expenses incurred as a result of flights being erroneously charged to her Ministerial credit card. In response to media questions, Cusanelli took responsibility for the error.[2] Regarding the established pattern of reimbursement that traditionally occurred in Government, Cusanelli explained her shortcoming in scrutinizing the process: She should have looked at the process better and for that she apologized to Albertans. [3] The released documents show that Cusanelli wrote a cheque to repay the province about 10 days after she returned from the trip.[4]
Cusanelli also oversaw 113,000 in non-refundable payments for London Olympics hotel rooms that were never used.[5]
Interests
Her personal interests include running, cycling, swimming and golfing.[6]
She is a member of Chickwagon, a Calgary women’s group that raises money and awareness for women in need.[7]
Election results
| 2015 Alberta general election | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | ||||
| New Democratic | Brian Malkinson | 7,317 | ||||||
| Progressive Conservative | Christine Cusanelli | 4,493 | ||||||
| Wildrose | Terry DeVries | 3,748 | ||||||
| Liberal | Shelley Wark-Martyn | 1,430 | ||||||
| Alberta Party | Tony Norman | 1,126 | ||||||
| Green | Nelson Berlin | 403 | ||||||
| Total valid votes | ||||||||
| 2012 Alberta general election: Calgary-Currie | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | ||||
| Progressive Conservative | Christine Cusanelli | 7,394 | 44.96% | 7.69% | ||||
| Wildrose | Corrie Adolph | 4,750 | 28.89% | 23.40% | ||||
| Liberal | Norval Horner | 2,646 | 16.09% | -29.47% | ||||
| New Democratic | Robert Scobel | 896 | 5.45% | 1.10% | ||||
| Alberta Party | Norm Kelly | 534 | 3.25% | – | ||||
| Evergreen | Dean N. Halstead | 224 | 1.36% | -5.64% | ||||
| Total | 16,444 | – | – | |||||
| Rejected, spoiled and declined | 127 | – | – | |||||
| Eligible electors / turnout | 30,415 | 54.48% | 15.92% | |||||
| Progressive Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | 3.90% | ||||||
Source(s)
Source: "07 - Calgary-Currie, 2012 Alberta general election". officialresults.elections.ab.ca. Elections Alberta. Retrieved May 21, 2020. | ||||||||
References
- ^ "About Christine Page". Retrieved September 26, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/12/06/christine-cusanelli-travel-expenses_n_2252757.html
- ^ http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-cabinet-minister-repays-10k-in-improper-expenses-1.1219850
- ^ http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Calgary+Christine+Cusanelli+repays+taxpayers+after+flying+family+members+Olympics/7658409/story.html
- ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/02/04/alberta-cabinet-shuffle-redford-cusanelli_n_2616867.html
- ^ "Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation". Retrieved September 26, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "About Christine Page". Retrieved September 26, 2012.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)
