Pearl Calahasen

Calahasen was born in 1952{{cite book |title=A Guide to Alberta's 22nd Legislature |author=Alberta Teachers' Association|date=October 1989}} and raised in Grouard, Alberta.{{cite web |url=https://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=63 |title=Pearl Calahasen's Legislative Assembly of Alberta biography |access-date=2009-10-05 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061005091108/https://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=63 |archive-date=5 October 2006 }} She attended the University of Alberta, from which she received a Bachelor of Education, and the University of Oregon, from which she received a master's degree. She is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta.{{cite web|url=https://www.metismuseum.ca/media/document.php/149486.Catalogue%20metis%20dictionary%20C.pdf |title=Metis Dictionary of Biography |publisher=Gabriel Dumont Institute |accessdate=2024-10-25}}

Calahasen first sought election in the 1989 Alberta election, when she ran as the Progressive Conservative candidates in the riding of Lesser Slave Lake. She won a plurality of votes, capturing 47.6% and defeating her nearest rival, Liberal Denise Wahlstrom, by nearly one thousand votes. This was the closest election of her political career to date; in subsequent elections, she won shares of the votes ranging from 55.5% (in the 1993 election) to 74.2% (in the 2001 election).{{cite web |url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/process/election_results.html |title=Alberta's past election results |access-date=2008-03-06}}

At the time of her election in 1989, Calahasen was the first Métis woman elected to public office in Alberta.{{cite web |url=http://www.naaf.ca/html/p_calahasen_e.html |title=National Aboriginal Achievement Awards biography of Pearl Calahasen |access-date=2008-04-15 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071206083331/http://www.naaf.ca/html/p_calahasen_e.html |archive-date = 2007-12-06}}

Calahasen served as a backbencher in Ralph Klein's government until 1996, when Klein appointed her Minister without Portfolio responsible for Children's Services.{{cite web |url=http://www.teachers.ab.ca/Albertas+Education+System/Eye+on+Education+in+Alberta/Education+Scan/1996/May/Cabinet.htm |title=Alberta Teacher's Association account of the 1996 cabinet shuffle |access-date=2008-04-14}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}} She served in this capacity until 1999, when she was shuffled to the position of Associate Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.{{cite web |url=http://www.teachers.ab.ca/Albertas+Education+System/Eye+on+Education+in+Alberta/Education+Scan/1999/May/Cabinet.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071019061943/http://www.teachers.ab.ca/Albertas+Education+System/Eye+on+Education+in+Alberta/Education+Scan/1999/May/Cabinet.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-10-19 |title=Alberta Teachers' Association account of the 1999 cabinet shuffle |access-date=2008-04-14}} In 2001 she was promoted to full minister, of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development.{{cite journal |date=Summer 2001 |title=Legislative Reports (Alberta) |journal=Canadian Parliamentary Review |volume=24 |issue=2 |url=http://www.parl.gc.ca/Infoparl/english/issue.htm?param=79&art=220#1 |access-date= 2008-04-15}} Calahasen initially supported Lyle Oberg in the 2006 P.C. leadership election,{{cite web |url=http://www.turtleisland.org/discussion/viewtopic.php?t=5064 |title=News and Comment, Turtle Island Native Network |access-date= 2008-04-15}} but switched her endorsement to Ed Stelmach after Oberg dropped off the ballot;{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/artists-for-dinning-mla-pham-for-morton-1.579468 |title=Artists for Dinning, MLA Pham for Morton |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=29 November 2006 |access-date= 2018-06-02}} despite this support, she was not included in Stelmach's cabinet once he became premier in 2006.{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/stelmach-names-smaller-cabinet-1.600083 |title=Stelmach names smaller cabinet |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=15 December 2006 |access-date= 2018-06-02}}

Calahasen has sponsored a number of bills over her career in the legislature.

Despite not being a member of cabinet, in 1990, Calahasen sponsored the Metis Settlements Act, a government bill which incorporated Métis settlements as a new class of municipality.{{cite hansard |title=Legislative Assembly of Alberta |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605002602/http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/hansards/han/legislature_22/session_2/19900605_2000_01_han.pdf |archive-date=5 Jun 2011 |url=https://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files%5Cdocs%5Chansards%5Chan%5Clegislature_22%5Csession_2%5C19900605_2000_01_han.pdf | house=Legislative Assembly of Alberta | date=5 June 1990}} It passed with the support of the opposition, although New Democrat Bob Hawkesworth expressed concern that the settlements were not given sufficient autonomy from government.{{cite hansard | url=https://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files%5Cdocs%5Chansards%5Chan%5Clegislature_22%5Csession_2%5C19900626_2000_01_han.pdf | title=The Wayback Machine has not archived that URL. | house=Legislative Assembly of Alberta | date=26 June 1990 }} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217035227/http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files%5Cdocs%5Chansards%5Chan%5Clegislature_22%5Csession_2%5C19900626_2000_01_han.pdf |date=17 February 2012 }} The same year, she sponsored the Nechi Community College Act, a private bill that would have established the Nechi Community College but did not reach second reading.{{Cite web |url=https://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/hansards/han/legislature_22/session_2/19900424_1430_01_han.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=9 September 2023 |archive-date=7 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907040547/https://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/hansards/han/legislature_22/session_2/19900424_1430_01_han.pdf |url-status=dead }} {{cite web |url=https://www.assembly.ab.ca/pro/bills/19900308_1200_01_bsr.pdf |title=Bill Status Report for the 22nd Legislature - 2nd Session (1990) |access-date=2008-04-15}}

In 1995, Calahasen sponsored the Colin Chor Wee Chew Legal Articles Act, another private bill which didn't progress to second reading.{{cite web |url=https://www.assembly.ab.ca/pro/bills/19950213_1200_01_bsr.pdf |title=Bill Status Report for the 23rd Legislature - 3rd Session (1995) |access-date=2008-04-15}} She also sponsored the Public Health Amendment Act, designed to allow nurse practitioners to fulfill some of the functions of doctors in communities in which doctors were in short supply.{{cite hansard |title=Legislative Assembly of Alberta |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205230424/http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/hansards/han/legislature_23/session_3/19950411_2000_01_han.pdf |archive-date=5 Dec 2019 | url=https://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files%5Cdocs%5Chansards%5Chan%5Clegislature_23%5Csession_3%5C19950411_2000_01_han.pdf | house=Legislative Assembly of Alberta | date=11 April 1995}} The bill passed with the support of the opposition Liberals, but some members, including Terry Kirkland, Colleen Soetaert, Percy Wickman, Gary Dickson, Lance White, and Howard Sapers, argued that the bill left out too many details and left the details in the realm of legislation, inappropriately empowering bureaucrats at the expense of the legislature.{{cite hansard | url=https://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files%5Cdocs%5Chansards%5Chan%5Clegislature_23%5Csession_3%5C19950426_2000_01_han.pdf |title=Legislative Assembly of Alberta |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205230531/http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/hansards/han/legislature_23/session_3/19950426_2000_01_han.pdf |archive-date=5 Dec 2019 | house=Legislative Assembly of Alberta | date=26 April 1995}}

As Associate Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Calahasen sponsored the First Nations Sacred Ceremonial Objects Repatriation Act, a 2000 government bill that allowed for the repatriation of First Nations artifacts.{{cite hansard | url=https://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files%5Cdocs%5Chansards%5Chan%5Clegislature_24%5Csession_4%5C20000306_1330_01_han.pdf|title=Legislative Assembly of Alberta |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926113018/http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/hansards/han/legislature_24/session_4/20000306_1330_01_han.pdf |archive-date=26 Sep 2014 | house=Legislative Assembly of Alberta | date=6 March 2000}} It passed with full opposition support.{{cite hansard |title=Legislative Assembly of Alberta |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926161755/http://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files/docs/hansards/han/legislature_24/session_4/20000418_2000_01_han.pdf |archive-date=26 Sep 2014 | url=https://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files%5Cdocs%5Chansards%5Chan%5Clegislature_24%5Csession_4%5C20000418_2000_01_han.pdf | house=Legislative Assembly of Alberta | date=18 April 2000}}

In 2012, she became the longest-serving MLA in Alberta's history, surpassing the previous record held by Cornelia Wood.{{Cite news |last=Gerein |first=Keith |date=2012-06-06 |title=Calahasen now longest-serving female MLA in Alberta history |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/edmonton-journal-calahasen-now-longest-s/166392256/ |access-date=2025-02-22 |work=Edmonton Journal |pages=4}}

{{CANelec/top|AB|1989|Lesser Slave Lake (electoral district)|Lesser Slave Lake|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{CANelec|AB|PC|Pearl Calahasen|3,249|47.58%|-9.62%}}

{{CANelec|AB|Liberal|Denise Wahlstrom|2,286|33.47%}}

{{CANelec|AB|NDP|Philip Lukken|1,294|18.95%|-23.85%}}

{{CANelec/total|Total|6,829|100.00%}}

{{CANelec/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|9}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible electors / Turnout|12,074| 56.63%| +17.38%}}

{{CANelec/hold|AB|PC|-16.74%}}

{{CANelec/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1989&Constit=Lesser_Slave_Lake| title=Lesser Slave Lake Official Results 1989 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=1 March 2010}}}}

|}

{{CANelec/top|AB|1993|Lesser Slave Lake (electoral district)|Lesser Slave Lake|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{CANelec|AB|PC|Pearl Calahasen|4,260|55.48%| +7.90%}}

{{CANelec|AB|Liberal|Denise Wahlstrom|3,093|40.28%| +6.81%}}

{{CANelec|AB|NDP|Larry Sakaluk|326|4.24%|-14.71%}}

{{CANelec/total|Total|7,679|100.00%}}

{{CANelec/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|24}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible electors / Turnout|12,743| 60.48%| +3.85%}}

{{CANelec/hold|AB|PC| +7.36%}}

{{CANelec/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.abheritage.ca/abpolitics/administration/maps_choice.php?Year=1993&Constit=Lesser_Slave_Lake| title=Lesser Slave Lake Official Results 1993 Alberta general election | publisher=Alberta Heritage Community Foundation | access-date=1 March 2010}}}}

|}

{{CANelec/top|AB|1997|Lesser Slave Lake (electoral district)|Lesser Slave Lake|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{CANelec|AB|PC|Pearl Calahasen|3,389|60.58%| +5.10%}}

{{CANelec|AB|Liberal|Ralph Chalifoux|1,139|20.36%|-19.92%}}

{{CANelec|AB|Social Credit|Robert Alford|624|11.16%}}

{{CANelec|AB|NDP|Glenn Laboucan|442|7.90%| +3.66%}}

{{CANelec/total|Total|5,594|100.00%}}

{{CANelec/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|23}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible electors / Turnout|13,368| 42.09%| -18.39%}}

{{CANelec/hold|AB|PC| +12.51%}}

{{CANelec/source|hide={{cite web | url=http://www.elections.ab.ca/Public%20Website/758.htm | title=1997 general election | publisher=Elections Alberta | access-date=15 January 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214035402/http://www.elections.ab.ca/Public%20Website/758.htm | archive-date=14 February 2012 | url-status=dead }}}}

|}

{{CANelec/top|AB|2001|Lesser Slave Lake (electoral district)|Lesser Slave Lake|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{CANelec|AB|PC|Pearl Calahasen|4,766|74.16%| +13.58%}}

{{CANelec|AB|Liberal|Rick Noel|1,429|22.23%| +1.87%}}

{{CANelec|AB|NDP|Doris Bannister|232|3.61%|-4.29%}}

{{CANelec/total|Total|6,427|100.00%}}

{{CANelec/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|47}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible electors / Turnout|14,185| 45.64%| +3.55%}}

{{CANelec/hold|AB|PC| +7.73%}}

{{CANelec/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.electionsalberta.ab.ca/Public%20Website/files/2001StatmentOfResults/2001_SOR_02.pdf| title=Lesser Slave Lake Official Results 2001 Alberta general election | publisher=Elections Alberta | access-date=27 March 2010}}}}

|}

{{CANelec/top|AB|2004|Lesser Slave Lake (electoral district)|Lesser Slave Lake|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{CANelec|AB|PC|Pearl Calahasen|3,903|64.94%|-9.22%}}

{{CANelec|AB|Alliance|Valerie Rahn|969|16.12%}}

{{CANelec|AB|Liberal|Jonathan Plackaitis|530|8.82%|-13.41%}}

{{CANelec|AB|NDP|Doris Bannister|354|5.89%|2.28%}}

{{CANelec|AB|Greens|Ian Hopfe|254|4.23%}}

{{CANelec/total|Total|6,010|100.00%}}

{{CANelec/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|57}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible electors / Turnout|19,259| 31.50%| -14.14%}}

{{CANelec/hold|AB|PC|-12.67%}}

{{CANelec/source|hide={{cite web|url=http://www.elections.ab.ca/Public%20Website/files/Statements/63.pdf |title=Lesser Slave Lake Statement of Official Results 2004 Alberta general election | publisher=Elections Alberta | access-date=15 January 2012}}}}

|}

{{CANelec/top|AB|2008|Lesser Slave Lake (electoral district)|Lesser Slave Lake|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{CANelec|AB|PC|Pearl Calahasen|3,384|65.18%| +0.24%}}

{{CANelec|AB|Liberal|Steve Noskey|1,109|21.36%| +12.54%}}

{{CANelec|AB|NDP|Habby Sharkawi|426|8.21%| +2.32%}}

{{CANelec|AB|Greens|Bonnie Raho|273|5.26%| +1.03%}}

{{CANelec/total|Total|5,192|100.00%}}

{{CANelec/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|43}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible electors / Turnout|20,310| 25.78%| -5.72%}}

{{CANelec/hold|AB|PC| -6.39%}}

{{CANelec/source|hide={{cite book|title=The Report on the March 3, 2008 Provincial General Election of the Twenty-seventh Legislative Assembly|url=https://archive.org/details/reportonmarch3202008elec|publisher=Elections Alberta|date=28 July 2008 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/reportonmarch3202008elec/page/462 462–467]}}}}

|}

{{CANelec/top|AB|2012|Lesser Slave Lake (electoral district)|Lesser Slave Lake|percent=yes|change=yes}}

{{CANelec|AB|PC|Pearl Calahasen|3,518|48.71%| -16.47%}}

{{CANelec|AB|Wildrose|Darryl Boisson|2,847|39.42%}}

{{CANelec|AB|NDP|Steve Kaz|427|5.91%| -2.30%}}

{{CANelec|AB|Liberal|Steven Townsend|235|3.25%| -9.29%}}

{{CANelec|AB|Independent|Donald G. Bissell|195|2.70%}}

{{CANelec/total|Total|7,222|100.00%}}

{{CANelec/total|Rejected, spoiled and declined|50}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible electors / Turnout|18,723|38.84%| +13.06%}}

{{CANelec/hold|AB|PC| -27.95%}}

{{CANelec/source|hide={{Cite web|url=http://officialresults.elections.ab.ca/orResultsED.cfm?ED=02&EventId=21|title=Electoral Division Results: Lesser Slave Lake}}}}

{{end}}

File:Alberta general election, 2015 results by polling division - Lesser Slave Lake.png

{{2015 Alberta general election/Lesser Slave Lake}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=63 Legislative Assembly of Alberta biography of Pearl Calahasen]

{{s-start}}

{{Canadian cabinet member navigational box header |ministry=Ralph_Klein}}

{{ministry box cabinet posts

| post1 = Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Calahasen, Pearl}}

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