Randy Thorsteinson
Encyclopedia
Randy Thorsteinson is a politician
and businessman in Red Deer, Alberta
, Canada
.
Thorsteinson attended Ricks College (now Brigham Young University-Idaho
campus) for two years followed by two years at Brigham Young University
(Utah) majoring in business management.
He was one of the founders of Carlson Tours and Incentive Travel Ltd. in 1984 which subsequently changed its name to Cascadia Motivation Inc. Thorsteinson is currently the Chief Operating Officer of the company.
in 1988 and served in this position for three years.
In 1988 Thorsteinson also served as the campaign manager for Michael Roth, the Reform Party candidate in Red Deer riding. Roth finished a solid second to Doug Fee (PC) with just under 10,000 votes.
Thorsteinson joined the Alberta Social Credit Party in 1991, and became leader the following year.
Under Thorsteinson, Social Credit experienced the beginnings of a rebirth, and in the 1997 general election
, the party nominated 70 candidates and collected 64,667 votes (almost seven per cent of the popular vote), but failed to win any seats in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
.
By 1999, however, Thorsteinson, a convert
to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was at odds with his party after a movement within the party to limit the involvement of Latter-day Saints. Thorsteinson quit the party in April 1999 and was a founder of the Alberta First Party but was not active in the party.
. The party successfully met the registration requirements and he became the party's leader at the Party Founding Convention in February 2003.
Thorsteinson's new party gained momentum immediately following the 2004 federal election
when Edmonton Norwood Member of the Legislative Assembly
(MLA) Gary Masyk
crossed the floor
to join the Alberta Alliance, and bring Alberta Alliance representation into the legislature.
Later that year in the 2004 provincial election
, Thorsteinson placed second in votes in his riding (electoral district) of Innisfail-Sylvan Lake
, failing to become a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). His party garnered 77,506 votes and won one seat in the election; Paul Hinman
was elected MLA for the riding of Cardston-Taber-Warner
.
On March 7, 2005, Thorsteinson announced his resignation as leader of the Alberta Alliance, saying he would not be able to devote the time and energy into the party that was required of a leader. Paul Hinman, the lone Alliance MLA in the legislature succeeded Thorsteinson as leader.
Randy supported and endorsed leadership candidate Ed Klop
in the race to succeed him as leader in the 2005 leadership convention
.
Randy was elected as President of the Alberta Alliance at the 2007 Annual General Meeting held on March 24, 2007 in Edmonton Alberta, he had been serving a short stint as interim president of the party after former president John Murdoch stepped down.
With the merger of the Alberta Alliance Party and the Wildrose Party of Alberta on January 19, 2008, Thorsteinson declined to be a member of the new party and has had no involvement with the renamed Wildrose Alliance Party.
The Strong & Free Alberta Political Action Committee is a research and education organization promoting innovative conservative fiscal and social policies.
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and businessman in Red Deer, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Early years
Thorsteinson was born in Gimli, Manitoba spending his youth living in Winnipeg, Manitoba; Edmonton, Alberta; Calgary, Alberta and Grande Prairie, Alberta.Education
He graduated from St. Paul's High School in Winnipeg, Manitoba.Thorsteinson attended Ricks College (now Brigham Young University-Idaho
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Brigham Young University–Idaho is a private university located in Rexburg, Idaho. Founded in 1888, the university is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and transitioned from a junior college to a four-year institution in 2001, known for the greater part of its...
campus) for two years followed by two years at Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
(Utah) majoring in business management.
Business ventures
Thorsteinson spent three years as Retail Sales Manager for Travelaire Trailer Canada Ltd. in Red Deer, Alberta.He was one of the founders of Carlson Tours and Incentive Travel Ltd. in 1984 which subsequently changed its name to Cascadia Motivation Inc. Thorsteinson is currently the Chief Operating Officer of the company.
Early political career
Thorsteinson entered politics as president of the Red Deer riding association of the Reform Party of CanadaReform Party of Canada
The Reform Party of Canada was a Canadian federal political party that existed from 1987 to 2000. It was originally founded as a Western Canada-based protest party, but attempted to expand eastward in the 1990s. It viewed itself as a populist party....
in 1988 and served in this position for three years.
In 1988 Thorsteinson also served as the campaign manager for Michael Roth, the Reform Party candidate in Red Deer riding. Roth finished a solid second to Doug Fee (PC) with just under 10,000 votes.
Thorsteinson joined the Alberta Social Credit Party in 1991, and became leader the following year.
Under Thorsteinson, Social Credit experienced the beginnings of a rebirth, and in the 1997 general election
Alberta general election, 1997
The Alberta general election of 1997 was the twenty-fourth general election for the Province of Alberta, Canada. It was held on March 11, 1997 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
, the party nominated 70 candidates and collected 64,667 votes (almost seven per cent of the popular vote), but failed to win any seats in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta
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...
.
By 1999, however, Thorsteinson, a convert
Religious conversion
Religious conversion is the adoption of a new religion that differs from the convert's previous religion. Changing from one denomination to another within the same religion is usually described as reaffiliation rather than conversion.People convert to a different religion for various reasons,...
to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was at odds with his party after a movement within the party to limit the involvement of Latter-day Saints. Thorsteinson quit the party in April 1999 and was a founder of the Alberta First Party but was not active in the party.
Alberta Alliance
In 2002 Thorsteinson led a movement to form the Alberta Alliance PartyAlberta Alliance Party
The Alberta Alliance was a right wing provincial political party in Alberta, Canada. Many of its members were former supporters of the now-defunct Canadian Alliance federal political party and its predecessor, the Reform Party of Canada. Members also joined from such other provincial fringe parties...
. The party successfully met the registration requirements and he became the party's leader at the Party Founding Convention in February 2003.
Thorsteinson's new party gained momentum immediately following the 2004 federal election
Canadian federal election, 2004
The Canadian federal election, 2004 , was held on June 28, 2004 to elect members of the Canadian House of Commons of the 38th Parliament of Canada. The Liberal government of Prime Minister Paul Martin lost its majority, but was able to form a minority government after the elections...
when Edmonton Norwood Member of the Legislative Assembly
Member of the Legislative Assembly
A Member of the Legislative Assembly or a Member of the Legislature , is a representative elected by the voters of a constituency to the legislature or legislative assembly of a sub-national jurisdiction....
(MLA) Gary Masyk
Gary Masyk
Gary Masyk is a businessman and politician in Alberta, Canada.Born in High Prairie, Masyk owned Garco Oilfield Service and Masyk Lumber Company before entering politics...
crossed the floor
Crossing the floor
In politics, crossing the floor has two meanings referring to a change of allegiance in a Westminster system parliament.The term originates from the British House of Commons, which is configured with the Government and Opposition facing each other on rows of benches...
to join the Alberta Alliance, and bring Alberta Alliance representation into the legislature.
Later that year in the 2004 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....
, Thorsteinson placed second in votes in his riding (electoral district) of Innisfail-Sylvan Lake
Innisfail-Sylvan Lake
Innisfail-Sylvan Lake is a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. It is one of 83 current districts mandated to return a single member to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta using the first past the post method of voting....
, failing to become a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). His party garnered 77,506 votes and won one seat in the election; Paul Hinman
Paul Hinman
Paul Hinman is a provincial politician and small business entrepreneur from Alberta, Canada. He was formerly the leader of the Wildrose Alliance. He served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 2004 to 2008 representing the electoral district of Cardston-Taber-Warner...
was elected MLA for the riding of Cardston-Taber-Warner
Cardston-Taber-Warner
Cardston-Taber-Warner is a provincial electoral district in Alberta, Canada. The district is mandated to return a single member to the for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta....
.
On March 7, 2005, Thorsteinson announced his resignation as leader of the Alberta Alliance, saying he would not be able to devote the time and energy into the party that was required of a leader. Paul Hinman, the lone Alliance MLA in the legislature succeeded Thorsteinson as leader.
Randy supported and endorsed leadership candidate Ed Klop
Ed Klop
Ed Klop is a politician and business man from Red Deer, Alberta Canada born in 1966.Klop is the President and Founder of Klop Construction based in Red Deer...
in the race to succeed him as leader in the 2005 leadership convention
Alberta Alliance Party leadership election, 2005
The Alberta Alliance Party, a conservative political party in Alberta, Canada, held its second leadership election on November 18 and 19, 2005, in Red Deer, Alberta...
.
Randy was elected as President of the Alberta Alliance at the 2007 Annual General Meeting held on March 24, 2007 in Edmonton Alberta, he had been serving a short stint as interim president of the party after former president John Murdoch stepped down.
With the merger of the Alberta Alliance Party and the Wildrose Party of Alberta on January 19, 2008, Thorsteinson declined to be a member of the new party and has had no involvement with the renamed Wildrose Alliance Party.
Strong and Free Alberta PAC
Thorsteinson is currently the Chairman of the Strong and Free Alberta Political Action Committee which derives its name from the Alberta provincial motto "Fortis et Liber" (strong and free).The Strong & Free Alberta Political Action Committee is a research and education organization promoting innovative conservative fiscal and social policies.