17 Facts About Mel Knight

Melvyn Reginald Knight was born on July 30,1944 and is a Canadian politician who served as the Minister of Energy of Alberta from 2006 to 2010 and as a Progressive Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the riding of Grande Prairie-Smoky from 2001 to 2012.

Mel Knight was born July 30,1944, in Beaverlodge, Alberta.

Mel Knight's father worked for Northern Alberta Railways, and Knight grew up in the Peace Country.

Mel Knight graduated from Hillside High School in Valleyview, and worked as a roughneck and repairing equipment before earning his certification as a journeyman mechanic.

Mel Knight worked for drilling and petroleum companies until 1970, when he founded his own firm, Knight Measurement and Control, which eventually employed 55 people.

Mel Knight bought a service station in 1974 that later operated as an antique shop.

Mel Knight first sought provincial office in the 2001 Alberta election as the Progressive Conservative candidate in the riding of Grande Prairie Smoky, where incumbent Progressive Conservative Walter Paszkowski was not seeking re-election.

Mel Knight was easily elected, taking more than two-thirds of the vote against three opponents.

Mel Knight was re-elected by smaller margins, although still with majorities, in the 2004 and 2008 elections.

Mel Knight sponsored the Securities Amendment Acts, separate bills with the same name from different years, 2005 and 2006.

Mel Knight ordered a judicial investigation into the issue, to run parallel to an investigation being conducted by provincial Information and Privacy Commissioner Frank Work.

However, when Stelmach unveiled his new cabinet after his victory in the 2008 election, Mel Knight remained as Energy Minister.

Mel Knight has presided over the appointment of an expert panel charged with evaluating the possibility of introducing nuclear energy into Alberta.

Mel Knight was exposed to criticism when, in response to a question from Liberal leader Kevin Taft about why the panel did not include representation from environmental groups, he asserted that the Sierra Club supported the use of nuclear energy in Europe; in fact, the Sierra Club opposes the use of nuclear energy and does not operate in Europe.

Mel Knight asserted that this expansion would not result in increased food prices for Albertans.

Mel Knight is married to Diana, and the pair has three children.

Mel Knight is a volunteer hockey coach and is active with his local gun club and petroleum association.