Born: Regina, Saskatchewan
Highest level of education: B.Com. from University of Regina (1997); law degree from University of Saskatchewan (2000)
Prior to politics: Lawyer with Miller Thomson LLP; president of a communications firm; director of the Institute for Public Sector Accountability
First elected: 2008
Constituency: Calgary-Egmont
Sworn in as Minister: Mar 13, 2008
MINISTRY VISION AND MISSION
Vision: Housing solutions and supports for safe, healthy and vibrant communities. Mission: Contribute to the inclusion, well-being and independence of lower-income Albertans through safe, sustainable and affordable housing, and assist urban communities with addressing their unique needs.
MINISTRY RESPONSIBILITIES
Shelters, Secretariat for Action on Homelessness, Gunn Centre, housing market monthly bulletin, apartment vacancy and rental cost survey, direct-to-tenant rent supplement, community housing, seniors self-contained and special-needs housing
MANDATE LETTER
Provide supports that maintain housing stability and employ a housing first philosophy. Implement plans to address homelessness and affordable housing.
LOBBYISTS
For the names of this ministry’s 15 registered lobbyists, see: www.lobbyistsact.ab.ca
CONTACT
Ministry Office
3rd Floor, 44 Capital Blvd 10044 108 St, Edm., T5J 5E6
Phone: 780 422 0122 Fax: 780 422 8462
housingandurbanaffairs.minister@gov.ab.ca
Constituency Office
#10, 8318 Fairmount Dr SE,
Calgary, T2H 0Y8
Phone: 403 640 1363 Fax: 403 640 2970 calgary.egmont@assembly.ab.ca
DID YOU KNOW?
Denis is one of the most active Twitterers among MLAs. His Apr 16, 2010, tweet “JonoMLA is perplexed that a retired bus driver lectures others on how they don’t understand economics… oh for good intentions” created a small firestorm in the Twittersphere. Some said the comment was elitist, aimed at NDP leader Brian Mason. Denis said it was an “inside joke.”
MINISTRY REPORT CARD
“We cannot really expect there will come a day when homelessness [is] eliminated… But we can expect there to be a system in place to help homeless people find their feet again. That may be about to happen.” (Mary-Ann Barr, Red Deer Advocate, Jan 28, 2008)
“The goal [of the 10-year plan] is laudable. But the execution has created new problems… Supersaturating overburdened core areas with social housing is a terrible long-term strategy… for our entire community.” (Paula Simons, Edm. Journal, Oct 12, 2010)
“[Denis] introduced voluntary ID cards… ‘It’s a no-brainer,’ says Steve Griffin, director of programs for the Mustard Seed. ‘Being able to show a card attesting to your identity is the difference between access [to] all kinds of services, or access [to] nothing.’” (Valerie Fortney, Cgy. Herald, Oct 2, 2010)