New Alberta seniors minister appointed in cabinet shuffle

Dave Quest is Alberta’s new associate minister of seniors.

Quest, aged 50, was named to the position by Premier Alison Redford in a December 6 cabinet reshuffle.

He was elected MLA for Strathcona-Sherwood Park in the 2008 general election and again in 2012. This is his first ministerial appointment.

Quest succeeds George VanderBurg as associate minister of seniors. VanderBurg had been in the post since May 2012, having previously been minister of seniors until the seniors department was abolished at that time. His new job is as government whip in the legislature.

The associate minister of seniors reports to the minister of health, and is mandated to assist the minister to carry out health responsibilities related to seniors.

The associate minister also leads the health ministry's programs and initiatives related to seniors. These include the seniors advocate; seniors housing; seniors property tax deferral program; elder abuse strategy; and $500 seniors activity tax credit.

Before becoming an MLA Quest was president of Kallal Pontiac in Tofield, and then general sales manager and a minority shareholder of Beaverhill GMC in Tofield and Petersen Pontiac in Sherwood Park.

He graduated from NAIT in 1985 with a business administration diploma with a major in marketing management. He then served with the Better Business Bureau of Northern Alberta for 10 years in various roles, including director, chair and director of the Canadian Council.

As an MLA, Quest has been involved in numerous committees and other public bodies. Most recently these include the standing committee on families and communities, the legislative review committee, the standing committee on public accounts, special standing committee on members´ services.

In addition, he is the Alberta government´s representative on the board of directors of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance, the Council of State Governments-WEST and Northlands.

He has also carried Bill 12, Body Armour Control Act, 2010; Bill 46, the Gunshot and Stab Wound Mandatory Disclosure Act, 2009; and Bill 60, the Health Professions Amendment Act, 2009; and most recently Bill 201, Scrap Metal Dealers and Recyclers Identification Act, through the legislative process.

Quest lives in Sherwood Park with has wife Fiona and son Jack. Sports are a major interest and he has a private pilot’s licence.