17 Facts About Heather Forsyth

Heather Forsyth was named interim leader of the Wildrose Party on December 22,2014, following the defection of the previous leader, Danielle Smith, and eight other MLAs.

Heather Forsyth was a Progressive Conservative until she crossed the floor on January 4,2010.

Heather Forsyth retired from Alberta politics in 2015 after her stint as interim leader of the Wildrose Party.

Heather Forsyth was first elected on June 15,1993, and served for a total of 21 years, 10 months and 21 days.

Heather Forsyth spent the entire length of her political career representing the Calgary-Fish Creek constituency.

Heather Forsyth was a member of the Progressive Conservative party from June 15,1993, until January 4,2010, until she crossed the floor to the Wildrose Party, which she remained a part of until her retirement in 2015.

Heather Forsyth held positions such as Critic for Service Alberta, Health, Critic for Culture and Community Services, Critic for Employment and Immigration, Critic for Health and Wellness as well as Critic for Seniors.

Heather Forsyth held the position of Solicitor General from March 19,2001, until November 24,2004, and was Minister of Children's Services from November 25,2004, until December 14,2006.

In 1997, Heather Forsyth led the Task Force on Children Involved in Prostitution and helped submit a report that recommended changes to the Child Welfare Act entitled, Children Involved In Prostitution: Report by The Task Force on Children Involved in Prostitution.

In 2000, Heather Forsyth was chair of the Alberta Advisory Committee on Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation and was involved with the report entitled A Framework for Action: A Coordinated and Integrated Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplant System for Alberta.

In 2007, Heather Forsyth led the Crime Reduction and Safe Communities Task Force as chair and submitted the report entitled Keeping Communities Safe: Report and Recommendations.

Heather Forsyth was successful in winning 6 elections over her political career.

Typically, Heather Forsyth was elected with substantial leads over her opponents but notably, one of her narrowest victories occurred in the 2012 Alberta general election, where she edged out her main competitor from the Progressive Conservative Party, Wendelin Fraser, by a count of 38 votes.

Heather Forsyth is perhaps best known for being named Interim Leader of the Wildrose Party, which occurred after the departure of former Wildrose leader, Danielle Smith and nine other former Wildrose MLAs to the Progressive Conservative party.

At the time, Heather Forsyth knew that she would not be seeking reelection due to family reasons, but said that she would be willing to offer her leadership until the next election that would eventually take place on May 5,2015.

Heather Forsyth is known for her charity golf tournament: The Peanut Butter Classic.

Heather Forsyth founded the charity, which collects and donates jars of peanut butter for the Calgary Food Bank in 2003.