# Ron Liepert > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ron_Liepert > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ron_Liepert.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Liepert > Source revision: 1350280492 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Canadian politician (born 1949)}} {{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}} {{Infobox officeholder | image = | image_size = | honorific_prefix = [The Honourable](/source/The_Honourable) | name = Ron Liepert | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=CAN|ECA|size=100%}} | caption = | birth_name = Ronald Liepert | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1949|10|8}} | birth_place = [Saltcoats](/source/Saltcoats%2C_Saskatchewan), [Saskatchewan](/source/Saskatchewan), Canada | office1 = [Minister of Finance](/source/List_of_Alberta_provincial_ministers) in [Alberta](/source/Alberta) | premier1 = [Alison Redford](/source/Alison_Redford) | term_start1 = October 12, 2011 | term_end1 = May 8, 2012 | predecessor1 = [Lloyd Snelgrove](/source/Lloyd_Snelgrove) {{small|(Finance and Enterprise)}} | successor1 = [Doug Horner](/source/Doug_Horner) | office2 = [Minister of Energy](/source/List_of_Alberta_provincial_ministers) in [Alberta](/source/Alberta) | premier2 = [Edward Stelmach](/source/Edward_Stelmach) | term_start2 = January 15, 2010 | term_end2 = October 12, 2011 | predecessor2 = [Mel Knight](/source/Mel_Knight) | successor2 = [Ted Morton](/source/Ted_Morton) | office3 = [Minister of Health and Wellness](/source/List_of_Alberta_provincial_ministers) in [Alberta](/source/Alberta) | premier3 = [Edward Stelmach](/source/Edward_Stelmach) | term_start3 = March 12, 2008 | term_end3 = January 15, 2010 | predecessor3 = [Dave Hancock](/source/Dave_Hancock) | successor3 = [Gene Zwozdesky](/source/Gene_Zwozdesky) | office4 = [Minister of Education](/source/List_of_Alberta_provincial_ministers) in [Alberta](/source/Alberta) | premier4 = [Edward Stelmach](/source/Edward_Stelmach) | term_start4 = December 15, 2006 | term_end4 = March 12, 2008 | predecessor4 = [Dave Hancock](/source/Dave_Hancock) | successor4 = [Gene Zwozdesky](/source/Gene_Zwozdesky) | party = [Conservative Party](/source/Conservative_Party_of_Canada) {{small|(federal)}} | other_party = [United Conservative Party](/source/United_Conservative_Party) {{small|(provincial; 2017–)}}
[Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta](/source/Progressive_Conservative_Association_of_Alberta) {{small|(provincial; 1980–2017)}} | alma_mater = | spouse = Linda | children = 2 | occupation = Consultant | website = http://ronliepert.ca | office = [Member of Parliament](/source/Member_of_Parliament_(Canada)) for [Calgary Signal Hill](/source/Calgary_Signal_Hill) | term_start = October 19, 2015 | term_end = March 23, 2025 | preceded = Riding Established | successor = [David McKenzie](/source/David_McKenzie_(Canadian_politician)) | office5 = Member of the [Legislative Assembly of Alberta](/source/Legislative_Assembly_of_Alberta) for [Calgary-West](/source/Calgary-West) | term_start5 = November 22, 2004 | term_end5 = April 23, 2012 | predecessor5 = [Karen Kryczka](/source/Karen_Kryczka) | successor5 = [Ken Hughes](/source/Ken_Hughes) }} '''Ronald Liepert''' {{post-nominals|country=CAN|ECA}} (born October 8, 1949) is a [Canadian](/source/Canadians) politician from [Alberta](/source/Alberta) who served as the [Member of Parliament](/source/Member_of_Parliament_(Canada)) for [Calgary Signal Hill](/source/Calgary_Signal_Hill) in the [House of Commons of Canada](/source/House_of_Commons_of_Canada) from 2015 until 2025. He previously served in the [Cabinet of Alberta](/source/Cabinet_of_Alberta) as Minister of Finance, Energy, Health and Wellness and Education under [premiers](/source/Premier_of_Alberta) [Ed Stelmach](/source/Ed_Stelmach) and [Alison Redford](/source/Alison_Redford). From 2004 to 2012, he was a Member of the [Legislative Assembly of Alberta](/source/Legislative_Assembly_of_Alberta), representing the constituency of [Calgary-West](/source/Calgary-West), as a [Progressive Conservative](/source/Progressive_Conservative_Association_of_Alberta) legislator. On April 12, 2014, Liepert won the federal Conservative nomination in [Calgary Signal Hill](/source/Calgary_Signal_Hill), defeating incumbent [Rob Anders](/source/Rob_Anders), and was elected to parliament in [2015](/source/2015_Canadian_federal_election).{{cite news|title=Ron Liepert beats Rob Anders, tells Jason Kenney to 'mind his own business'|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ron-liepert-beats-rob-anders-tells-jason-kenney-to-mind-his-own-business-1.2608694|access-date=1 August 2015|work=CBC|agency=The Canadian Press|date=April 13, 2014}} He was re-elected in [2019](/source/2019_Canadian_federal_election) and [2021](/source/2021_Canadian_federal_election). ==Early life== Liepert was born in [Saltcoats](/source/Saltcoats%2C_Saskatchewan), [Saskatchewan](/source/Saskatchewan) in 1949.{{Canadian Parliament links|ID=18417|nolist=yes}} He grew up on his family's farm and attended a small rural school. He left high school in the middle of grade 11 at the age of 17.{{cite web|url=http://www.radiowest.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=4742|title=Interview for RadioWest.ca}} He moved to Alberta, where he took a job in [Calgary](/source/Calgary) with Rosco Steel. For three years Liepert returned to the family farm to help with the crop, but he became disillusioned with farming and he moved to Calgary permanently. He was working at Burns Foods in 1971 when he decided to enroll in the Columbia School of Broadcasting. In 1972, Liepert, married and with an infant daughter, joined [CHAB (AM)](/source/CHAB_(AM)) in [Moose Jaw](/source/Moose_Jaw). In the mid-1970s he took a position with [CFCW (AM)](/source/CFCW_(AM)) radio in [Camrose, Alberta](/source/Camrose%2C_Alberta). In the late 1970s, he moved to the [ITV network](/source/CITV-TV) in [Edmonton](/source/Edmonton). From 1980 to 1985, Liepert held the position of Press Secretary to Premier [Peter Lougheed](/source/Peter_Lougheed). He served as a key aide to Lougheed during interprovincial negotiations on energy policy and the [Constitutional Accord of 1982](/source/Constitutional_Accord_of_1982). He also participated in several [federal–provincial conferences](/source/First_Ministers'_conference). Following that responsibility, he moved to the Ministry of Economic Development as the Trade Director of Western U.S. Operations. In 1991, he moved to the private sector to work for [Telus](/source/Telus_Communications) where he was involved in both the purchase of Ed Tel and the [BCTel](/source/BCTel) merger in addition to the rebranding of [AGT](/source/Alberta_Government_Telephones) to Telus. From 2000 to 2004, Liepart owned his own public relations/communications consulting company and operated a childcare centre in [Downtown Calgary](/source/Downtown_Calgary). ==Member of the Legislative Assembly== Liepert first ran for a seat to the Alberta Legislature as a Progressive Conservative candidate in the electoral district of [Edmonton-Highlands-Beverly](/source/Edmonton-Highlands-Beverly) in the [1993 Alberta general election](/source/1993_Alberta_general_election). He finished third in the five-way race behind the winning candidate, [Liberal](/source/Alberta_Liberal_Party) [Alice Hanson](/source/Alice_Hanson), and incumbent [New Democrat](/source/Alberta_New_Democratic_Party) [John McInnis](/source/John_McInnis_(Alberta_politician)).{{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1993&Constit=Edmonton-Highlands-Beverly | title=Edmonton-Highlands-Beverly results 1993| publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=September 15, 2010}} After his private sector experience, Liepert decided to return to politics in the [2004 provincial election](/source/2004_Alberta_general_election) in the constituency of [Calgary-West](/source/Calgary-West). In that election, Liepert received 52% of the vote. During his first two years as an MLA, he served as the chair of the [Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund](/source/Alberta_Heritage_Savings_Trust_Fund) Committee, a co-chair for the Film Advisory Council, and a member of a team that conducted a special review of the Local Authority Elections Act. Following the 2006 leadership race for the [Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta](/source/Progressive_Conservative_Association_of_Alberta), newly elected [Premier](/source/Premier_of_Alberta) [Ed Stelmach](/source/Ed_Stelmach) appointed Liepert to be the Minister of Education. During his tenure as Education Minister, he also served as a member of the Cabinet Policy Committee on Community Services. In the [2008 provincial election](/source/2008_Alberta_general_election), Liepert was reelected with 48% of the vote and appointed by the Premier as the Minister of Health and Wellness. In addition to his ministerial responsibilities, Liepert also served as a member of the Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing Committee. As the Health Minister, Liepert dismantled the nine health regions of Alberta in favour of an [Alberta Health Services](/source/Alberta_Health_Services) "super" Board. In existence for five months and running a $1.3-billion deficit, they voted themselves, with Liepert's approval, a 25% raise.[https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/critics-blast-alberta-health-board-s-25-raises-1.847203 Liepert gives 25% raise to newly created part time board] He faced criticism over the handling of the flu immunization campaign for the [2009 flu pandemic](/source/2009_flu_pandemic).{{Cite web|url=http://www.edmontonsun.com/news/swineflu/2009/11/02/11600766-sun.html|title=Liepert should lose job: Liberals|author=Edmonton Sun|author-link=Edmonton Sun|date=2009-11-02|access-date=2009-11-06}}{{Cite web|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/health/Braid+Liepert+obvious+sacrifice+fiasco/2186659/story.html|title=Braid: Liepert obvious sacrifice for flu fiasco|author=Edmonton Journal|author-link=Edmonton Journal|date=2009-11-05|access-date=2009-11-06}} On January 15, 2010, Liepert was sworn in as Minister of Energy.{{cite web|url=https://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=24|title=Liepert's Legislative Assembly of Alberta biography}} ==Member of Parliament== On April 12, 2014, Liepert won the federal Conservative nomination in Calgary Signal Hill, defeating incumbent [Rob Anders](/source/Rob_Anders). Anders had been the MP for [Calgary West](/source/Calgary_West), an [abolished constituency](/source/2012_Canadian_federal_electoral_redistribution) whose territory was reassigned mostly to Signal Hill, since [1997](/source/1997_Canadian_federal_election). On September 21, 2015, Liepert drew criticism from the left-wing [Broadbent Institute](/source/Broadbent_Institute) newsletter ''Press Progress'' for his position on civil liberties and [Bill C-51](/source/Anti-terrorism_Act%2C_2015). During an all-candidates debate, he said, "I know there's a whole group of people … who talk about civil liberties and about the freedom of having the right to pretty much choose to do what you like. Folks, that's not the country we live in … I'm fully in favour of Bill C-51."{{cite news|title=Ron Liepert on C-51: Civil liberties? "That's not the country we live in."|url=http://www.pressprogress.ca/conservative_candidate_on_c51_civil_liberties_folks_thats_not_the_country_we_live_in|access-date=24 September 2015|date=September 21, 2015}} On October 19, 2015, Liepert was elected MP for Calgary Signal Hill, winning with more than 60% of the vote. During the [42nd Canadian Parliament](/source/42nd_Canadian_Parliament), Liepert introduced one [private member's bill](/source/private_member's_bill), numbered C-229 and entitled the "''Life Means Life Act''", which proposed to mandate that persons found guilty of certain crimes, such as murder or treason, be sentenced to [life imprisonment](/source/life_imprisonment) without eligibility for parole. The bill was defeated in a vote in September 2016 with only Conservative Party members voting in support. Then [Justice Minister](/source/Minister_of_Justice_and_Attorney_General_of_Canada) [Peter MacKay](/source/Peter_MacKay) had previously introduced this bill in the [41st Parliament](/source/41st_Canadian_Parliament) in March 2015, as Bill C-53, though it was not adopted before the parliament ended.{{cite web |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/politics/kady-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-first-batch-of-bills-from-the-backbench |title=Everything you need to know about the first batch of bills from the backbench |first=Kady |last=O'Malley |date=March 5, 2016 |access-date=June 14, 2019 |publisher=[Ottawa Citizen](/source/Ottawa_Citizen)}} In January 2021, it was revealed that Liepert had travelled to [California](/source/California) twice during the [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic), though the [Canada–United States border](/source/Canada%E2%80%93United_States_border) was closed to all nonessential travel and public health orders urged people to avoid unnecessary travel. Liepert claimed the trips were for essential house maintenance to his [Palm Desert](/source/Palm_Desert%2C_California) home.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/ron-liepert-conservative-mp-travel-holiday-covid-19-1.5859675 |title=Conservative MP has travelled to California twice since March for 'essential house maintenance' |date=January 2, 2021 |access-date=January 4, 2021 |publisher=[CBC News](/source/CBC_News)}} On February 17, 2023, Liepert announced that he would not run in the [next federal election](/source/45th_Canadian_federal_election) after finishing his service in the [44th Canadian Parliament](/source/44th_Canadian_Parliament).{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/liepert-won-t-seek-re-election-1.6752740 |title=Calgary MP Ron Liepert says he won't seek re-election |date=February 17, 2023 |access-date=February 22, 2023 |publisher=[CBC News](/source/CBC_News)}} ==Personal life== Liepert and his wife, Linda, have two adult children; one is deceased. He enjoys golfing and served as a board member at the Pinebrook Golf Club in Calgary. Liepert has coordinated various charitable affairs, such as celebrity sport dinners and several fundraising campaigns and benefits. He also volunteers his time at a variety of other community events. ==Electoral record== ===Federal=== {{2021 Canadian federal election/Calgary Signal Hill}} {{2019 Canadian federal election/Calgary Signal Hill}} {{2015 Canadian federal election/Calgary Signal Hill}} ===Provincial=== {| class="wikitable" | colspan="3" align=center|'''[2008 Alberta general election](/source/2008_Alberta_general_election) results'''{{cite book|title=The Report on the March 3, 2008 Provincial General Election of the Twenty-seventh Legislative Assembly|publisher=Elections Alberta|date=July 28, 2008 |pages=264–267}} |colspan="2"|'''Turnout 39.78%''' |colspan="2" align=center|'''Swing''' |- !style="width: 10px;"| |'''Affiliation''' |'''Candidate''' |'''Votes''' |'''%''' |'''Party''' |'''Personal''' {{CANelec|AB|PC|Ron Liepert|8,428|47.97%|-4.11%}} {{CANelec|AB|Liberal|Beth Gignac|5,693|32.41%|0.39%}} {{CANelec|AB|Wildrose Alliance|Bob Babcock|2,273|12.94%|5.55%}} {{Canadian party colour|AB|Green|row-name}} |James Kohut |773 |4.40% |colspan=2 align=center|-1.06% {{CANelec|AB|NDP|Chantelle Dubois|401|2.28%|-0.77%}} {{CANelec/total|Total|17,568}} {{CANelec/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|58}} {{CANelec/total|Eligible electors / Turnout|44,306| %}} {{CANelec/hold|AB|PC|-2.25%}} |} {| class="wikitable" | colspan="3" align=center|'''[2004 Alberta general election](/source/2004_Alberta_general_election) results'''{{cite web|url=http://www.elections.ab.ca/Public%20Website/files/Statements/24.pdf |title=Calgary-West Statement of Official Results 2004 Alberta general election | publisher=Elections Alberta | access-date=February 9, 2012}} |colspan="2"|'''Turnout 42.38%''' |colspan="2" align=center|'''Swing''' |- !style="width: 10px;"| |'''Affiliation''' |'''Candidate''' |'''Votes''' |'''%''' |'''Party''' |'''Personal''' {{CANelec|AB|PC|Ron Liepert|6,969|52.08%|-21.07%}} {{CANelec|AB|Liberal|Derek Smith|4,284|32.02%|12.35%}} {{CANelec|AB|Alliance|John Keyes|989|7.39%}} {{Canadian party colour|AB|Green|row-name}} |James Kohut |731 |5.46% |colspan=2 align=center|* {{CANelec|AB|NDP|Chantelle Dubois|408|3.05%|-4.13%}} {{CANelec/total|Total|13,381}} {{CANelec/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|70}} {{CANelec/total|Eligible electors / Turnout|31,736| %}} {{CANelec/hold|AB|PC|-16.71%}} |} {{1993 Alberta general election/Edmonton-Highlands-Beverly}} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *{{Canadian Parliament links|ID=18417}} {{s-start}} {{Canadian federal ministry navigational box header |ministry=Alison_Redford}} {{ministry box cabinet posts | post1preceded = [Iris Evans](/source/Iris_Evans) | post1 = Minister of Finance | post1years = October 12, 2011–May 8, 2012 | post1note = | post1followed = [Doug Horner](/source/Doug_Horner) }} {{Canadian federal ministry navigational box header |ministry=Ed_Stelmach}} {{ministry box cabinet posts | post3preceded = [Mel Knight](/source/Mel_Knight) | post3 = [Minister of Energy](/source/Alberta_Energy) | post3years = January 15, 2010–October 12, 2011 | post3note = | post3followed = [Ted Morton](/source/Ted_Morton) | post2preceded = [Dave Hancock](/source/Dave_Hancock) | post2 = [Minister of Health and Wellness](/source/Alberta_Health_and_Wellness) | post2years = March 12, 2008–January 15, 2010 | post2note = | post2followed = [Gene Zwozdesky](/source/Gene_Zwozdesky) | post1preceded = Gene Zwozdesky | post1 = Minister of Education | post1years = December 15, 2006–March 12, 2008 | post1note = | post1followed = [Dave Hancock](/source/Dave_Hancock) }} {{s-end}} {{Redford Ministry}} {{Stelmach Ministry}} {{authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Liepert, Ron}} Category:1949 births Category:Canadian press secretaries Category:Canadian radio reporters and correspondents Category:Canadian television reporters and correspondents Category:Conservative Party of Canada MPs Category:Ministers of finance of Alberta Category:Ministers of health of Alberta Category:Living people Category:Members of the Executive Council of Alberta Category:Members of the House of Commons of Canada from Alberta Category:People from Saltcoats, Saskatchewan Category:Politicians from Calgary Category:Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta MLAs Category:Telus people Category:21st-century members of the House of Commons of Canada Category:21st-century members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ron Liepert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Liepert) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Liepert?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.