Jack Flaherty
Encyclopedia
Jack Flaherty is a politician and former member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
.
Flaherty graduated with a Bachelor of Education, a Bachelor of Physical Education, and a Master's of Education from the University of Alberta
. He worked as a teacher in Edmonton
and Red Deer
before becoming a consultant for the government's Department of Education. He later became an administrator, acting as associate superintendent of schools in Edmonton and the superintendent of schools in Fort McMurray.
Flaherty first ran for office in the 2004 Alberta provincial election
, when he ran for the Alberta Liberal Party
in St. Albert
against incumbent Progressive Conservative
Mary O'Neill
. Flaherty won an upset victory of just over four hundred votes.
Once in office, Flaherty became the Liberal education critic, in which capacity he has argued that provincially-mandated achievement tests should no longer be given to grade three students, and that the government should put increased focus on diagnostic testing of children at that age. He has also advocated for a broader range of programs for high school students and better support for vocational programs. In March 2007, he sponsored the School (Restrictions on Fees and Fundraising) Amendment Act (Bill 208), which would prohibit schools from charging fees or conducting fund-raising for the support of curricular activities. The bill was defeated in May 2007.
In September 2006, Flaherty announced that he would seek re-election during the next provincial election. However, he was defeated by the Progressive Conservative
candidate, former city councillor Ken Allred
.
Legislative Assembly of Alberta
The Legislative Assembly of Alberta is one of two components of the Legislature of Alberta, the other being the Queen, represented by the Lieutenant-Governor of Alberta. The Alberta legislature meets in the Alberta Legislature Building in the provincial capital, Edmonton...
.
Flaherty graduated with a Bachelor of Education, a Bachelor of Physical Education, and a Master's of Education from the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
. He worked as a teacher in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
and Red Deer
Red Deer, Alberta
Red Deer is a city in Central Alberta, Canada. It is located near the midpoint of the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor and is surrounded by Red Deer County. It is Alberta's third-most-populous city – after Calgary and Edmonton. The city is located in aspen parkland, a region of rolling hills...
before becoming a consultant for the government's Department of Education. He later became an administrator, acting as associate superintendent of schools in Edmonton and the superintendent of schools in Fort McMurray.
Flaherty first ran for office in the 2004 Alberta provincial election
Alberta general election, 2004
The Alberta general election of 2004 was the twenty-sixth general election for the province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on November 22, 2004 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
, when he ran for the Alberta Liberal Party
Alberta Liberal Party
The Alberta Liberal Party is a provincial political party in Alberta, Canada. Originally founded in 1905, when the province was created, it was the dominant political party until 1921 when it was defeated. It has never been in government since that time...
in St. Albert
St. Albert (provincial electoral district)
St. Albert formally styled Saint Albert is a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. The district is one of 83 current districts mandate to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta of Alberta, Canada....
against incumbent Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta
The Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta is a provincial centre-right party in the Canadian province of Alberta...
Mary O'Neill
Mary O'Neill
Mary O'Neill is a politician and former member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.O'Neill graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts, and subsequently received her teaching certification from the Ontario College of Education. She taught in both public and private schools...
. Flaherty won an upset victory of just over four hundred votes.
Once in office, Flaherty became the Liberal education critic, in which capacity he has argued that provincially-mandated achievement tests should no longer be given to grade three students, and that the government should put increased focus on diagnostic testing of children at that age. He has also advocated for a broader range of programs for high school students and better support for vocational programs. In March 2007, he sponsored the School (Restrictions on Fees and Fundraising) Amendment Act (Bill 208), which would prohibit schools from charging fees or conducting fund-raising for the support of curricular activities. The bill was defeated in May 2007.
In September 2006, Flaherty announced that he would seek re-election during the next provincial election. However, he was defeated by the Progressive Conservative
Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta
The Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta is a provincial centre-right party in the Canadian province of Alberta...
candidate, former city councillor Ken Allred
Ken Allred
George Kenneth Allred is a politician in Alberta, Canada and member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, in which he sits as a member of the Progressive Conservative caucus. He is also a former municipal councillor in St...
.