Richard Starke

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Richard Starke
MLA
Member of the Alberta Legislative Assembly
for Vermilion-Lloydminster
Assumed office
April 23, 2012
Preceded by Lloyd Snelgrove
Minister of Tourism, Parks and Recreation
In office
February 4, 2013 – September 15, 2014
Preceded by Christine Cusanelli
Succeeded by Maureen Kubinec
Personal details
Born (1960-06-18) June 18, 1960 (age 56)
Edmonton, Alberta
Political party Progressive Conservative
Spouse(s) Alison Starke
Alma mater University of Saskatchewan
Profession Veterinarian
Religion Lutheran

Richard Karl Alfred Starke, MLA, (born June 18, 1960) is a Canadian politician who represents the electoral district of Vermilion-Lloydminster in the Alberta Legislature. Starke was elected to his first term as MLA for Vermilion-Lloydminster on April 23, 2012. Starke was appointed the minister for Tourism, Parks, and Recreation on February 4, 2013.[1] He was shuffled out of Cabinet on September 15, 2014.[2] He is one of only two PC MLAs to be elected outside the city of Calgary in the 2015 provincial election.

Personal life[edit]

Richard was born and raised in Edmonton. He and his wife, Alison, have two adult sons and a dog, all named Liesl. They reside near Lloydminster, Alberta.[3]

Education and work[edit]

Graduated high school in Edmonton and went to the University of Alberta for his pre-vet studies. In 1979, he went to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan.[3] While studying, he worked at several veterinary practices.

He joined the Lloydminster Animal Hospital in 1983 and became an owner in 1985.[3] He was also elected to the Lloydminster city council in 1985 and served two terms as alderman.[4] For his work with the Lloydminster Animal Hospital, Richard received the:

  • 1999 Alberta Business Awards of Distinction, Finalist, Small Business category
  • 2003 Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce Customer Service Award
  • 2010 Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year nominee
  • 2011 Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year and Business of the Year Award winner

He opened a second practice, Companion Animal Care Centre, in 2008 and received 2010 Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce Rookie Business of the Year Award winner. He sold both practices before running for politics in 2011.[3]

Provincial and national professional association committees[edit]

Starke is a member of various professional and provincial committees, including the Lloydminster Leisure Centre Building Committee, the Barr Colony Heritage Cultural Centre Building Committee, Director of Coaching & Programs at the Lloydminster Border Blades Speed Skating Club, the Coaching Development Committee at Speed Skating Canada, and others.

Election results[edit]

Alberta general election, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Progressive Conservative Richard Starke 6,252 50.82%
Wildrose Danny Hozack 4,628 37.62%
New Democratic Raymond Stone 566 4.60%
Liberal Corina Ganton 463 3.76%
Independent Richard Yaceyko 393 3.19%

References[edit]

External links[edit]