Rotary Program August 10, 2009
The first meeting of the Rotary Club of Edmotnon to be held in the Sutton Place Hotel will feature Murray Smith as our guest speaker.
Murray Smith was elected to the Alberta Legislature in June 1993. Prior to his election, Murray worked in the private sector, where his career included ownership of a number of Alberta companies in the energy and retail sectors.
Murray has been involved in the oilpatch from his early years on the rigs in northern Alberta to his eventual ownership of an oil well servicing company and other entrepreneurial ventures.
Murray's third consecutive elected term and his appointment as Alberta's Minister of Energy began in March 2001. The ministry has responsibility for a diverse resource development portfolio that includes natural gas, conventional oil, oil sands, petrochemicals, electricity, coal, and minerals.
Prior to his appointment as Minister of Energy, Murray served Albertans in a number of ministerial roles. During his time as Minister of Economic Development from 1994-1996, the machinery and equipment tax was eliminated. While Minister of Labour from 1996-1999, the department carried out a major employment standards review. From 1999-2001 at Gaming, there was a major review of the gaming licensing policy, and the Aboriginal Gaming Policy was created.
Murray has volunteered with many organizations over the years including the Varsity Community Association, the TUXIS Model Parliament of Alberta, the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame Alberta Alumni (Class of 1965), the Old Timers Hockey Association and the Calgary Winter Club. He is a lifetime member of the Riley Park Cricket Club and a former MLA Director of the Calgary Stampede Board.
Murray is a recipient of the TUXIS "Doug Beechey" Award for "willingly and cheerfully doing more than that which is our duty to do." He also received the University of Calgary Venture Development "Janet Koper" Award for "Friend to Venture Development and Small Business Creation in Alberta."
Murray received a Bachelor of Arts degree specializing in Economics and Political Science from the University of Calgary. He was born and raised in Red Deer, Alberta.