About
Heather Forsyth was first elected MLA for Calgary- Fish Creek in 1993. She is currently a member of the Standing Committee on Health and Public Safety, and Public Accounts Committee. Heather has also served as a member of the Standing Committee on Government Services and was chair of the Alberta Heritage and Savings Trust Fund Committee.
In 1999, as MLA, Heather worked diligently to pass the Protection of Children Involved in Prostitution (PChIP) Act. By the summer of 2008, the legislation had taken more than 400 child prostitutes off the streets and gained international attention for being the first of its kind.
In 2001 Heather was appointed Alberta’s Solicitor General. During her tenure as Solicitor General, she introduced Canada’s first Amber Alert program and launched Alberta’s high-risk offender website. In 2004 Heather became Minister of Children’s Services. She passed the Drug Endangered Children Act, another Canada first, which protected children and youth involved in illegal drug activity.
Heather was recognized in 2002 by Reader’s Digest and was named Canadian Hero for her outstanding dedication to protecting children and youth. Of the many honors Heather has received, she considers being bestowed the Blackfoot name Aahsoikinnah-kaiki, which means healing woman, as one of the greatest.
Heather believes in being involved in her community. She has volunteered with various groups, such as the Children’s Wish Foundation, the provincial Youth Justice Committee, and the Calgary Board of Health.
Heather continues to support programs and initiatives that improve the well being of children and youth across the country. During the spring 2010 sitting of the Alberta Legislature, Heather passed Bill 202, the Mandatory Reporting of Child Pornography Act, which requires individuals to report any material that is believed to be child pornography to police authorities or any reporting entity.
In January 2010, after months of soul searching and consulting constituents, Heather, along with Airdrie MLA Rob Anderson, left the PC Party to join the Wildrose led by Danielle Smith. Heather says it was one the most difficult decisions she’s had to make. She feels the PC government has stopped listening to the people and she had to stand up for the constituents of Calgary-Fish Creek.
She is the founder and Chair of the Peanut Butter Classic Society, a non-profit organization which raises funds for charities that aid women and children.
Heather is a golf enthusiast, a gardener and an avid reader that enjoys spending time with her family and friends. A native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan she resides in Calgary with her husband, Gordon and is the mother of two sons.