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Jonson, Hon. Halvar
Progressive Conservative MLA, Ponoka - Rimbey
Mr. Jonson was born August 14, 1941 in Athabasca, Alberta. He spent his childhood on a farm west of Boyle and attended the Boyle School for Grades 1 - 12. Mr. Jonson went on to attend the University of Alberta where he completed a Bachelor of Education Degree in 1963, a Masters of Education degree in 1967 and a Graduate Diploma in Educational Administration in 1971.
Mr. Jonson began his teaching career at Bentley High School where he taught from 1963 - 1965. In 1966, he became Principal of Crestomere School. Mr. Jonson then moved to Ponoka Composite High School in 1969 where he served first as Assistant Principal and then as Principal from 1980 - 1987. For the 1976 - 77 school year, Mr. Jonson served as President of the Alberta Teachers' Association.
Mr. Jonson was first elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta on November 2, 1982. He was re-elected in 1986; 1989; 1993 and 1997. Mr. Jonson was appointed Minister of Education on December 14, 1992, and was reappointed on June 30, 1993. During his tenure as Minister of Education, Mr. Jonson succeeded in restructuring our education regions, capping education administration costs and refocusing resources in our classrooms and on our children.
Mr. Jonson was appointed Minister of Health on May 31, 1996, and was reappointed on March 26, 1997. He also serves as a member of Treasury Board and is responsible for the Premier's Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities. As well, Mr. Jonson is a member of the Standing Policy Committees on Health Planning and Community Services. During his term as MLA, Mr. Jonson served on a number of Caucus and Legislature Committees including: Chair of the Education Caucus Committee, Chair of the Native Affairs Caucus Committee, member of the Agricultural and Rural Affairs, Health and Social Services and Economic Affairs Caucus Committees, Vice-Chair of the Heritage Savings and Trust Fund Committee and the Committee of Legislative Reform, and a member of the Public Accounts Committee. He also was appointed Deputy Chair of Government committees and Chair of the Metis Settlements Transition Commission.
Mr. Jonson has been active in his community, serving on the Soccer Club and the Hospital Planning Committee. Mr. Jonson and his wife, Maxine, make their home in Ponoka and have three children, Tammy, Trent and Halvar Jr.