MLA: Hon. Janis Tarchuk, Banff-Cochrane Minister of Children and Youth Services Elected: 1997, 2001, 2004, 2008 - Alberta Progressive Conservative Party E-mail:  cys.minister@gov.ab.ca

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Janis Tarchuk was sworn in as Minister of Children and Youth Services on March 12, 2008. She had served as Minister of Children’s Services since December 15, 2006.  Ms. Tarchuk was first elected on March 11, 1997, and is serving her fourth term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Banff-Cochrane.

As a resident of the Bow Valley for over 30 years, Ms. Tarchuk’s extensive history of community involvement covers health, education, tourism and the environment. Prior to her work in provincial politics, she was chair of Headwaters Health Authority Board, a trustee with Canadian Rockies School Division, an executive member of Alberta School Boards Association, a director of Jubilee Insurance and a board member of Alberta Educational Technology and Research Foundation. Her work experience includes financial planning and residential sales as well as involvement in several sectors of the tourism industry.

Ms. Tarchuk is committed to building a stronger Alberta community and has extensive experience chairing key committees across a spectrum of government service, including Standing Policy Committees on Economic Development and Finance and Health and Safe Communities. She also served as a member of the Agenda and Priorities Committee and has been active on committees addressing tourism marketing, justice and sustainable development. 

Born and raised in Guelph, Ontario, Ms. Tarchuk attended the University of Guelph, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in political science. Her personal interests include reading, skiing, hiking and swimming. She also enjoys the many cultural opportunities to be found in the Bow Valley. Ms. Tarchuk and her husband Byron live in Banff and have two grown children.