Minister's biography
The Honourable Gene Zwozdesky
Gene Zwozdesky was appointed Minister of Health and Wellness on January 15, 2010.
Gene Zwozdesky was elected to his fifth term as MLA for Edmonton-Mill Creek on March 3, 2008, and currently serves as Minister of Health and Wellness and Deputy Government House Leader. In addition to his duties as MLA and minister he is currently a member of the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing.
Mr. Zwozdesky served as Minister of Aboriginal Relations, Minister of both the Education and the Community Development portfolios and Associate Minister of the departments of Health and Wellness and Capital Planning.
He was born in 1948 in Saskatchewan, moved to Alberta in 1950, lived in Grand Centre, Hinton and Sangudo, and has lived in Edmonton since 1963. He has a bachelor of arts degree and a bachelor of education degree from the University of Alberta and accreditation courses in public administration. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Alberta. Before politics Mr. Zwozdesky worked as a teacher, administrator, professional musician and businessman. He was the executive director of the Alberta Cultural Heritage Foundation and the Alberta Ukrainian Canadian Centennial Commission, as well as music director for the Shumka Dancers and Cheremosh Dancers. He was a volunteer executive member of the Alberta Folk Arts Council, Alberta Recording Industry Association, Edmonton Canada Day Committee, Edmonton Heritage Festival Association, Capital City Savings (SERVUS) Ukrainian Community Council, and the Great Canadian Awards (co-founder and producer).
