Melvyn Reginald Knight[1] ECA (born July 30, 1944) 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.
The Honourable Mel Knight | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Grande Prairie-Smoky | |
| In office March 12, 2001 – April 23, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Walter Paszkowski |
| Succeeded by | Everett McDonald |
| Alberta Minister of Energy | |
| In office December 15, 2006 – January 15, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Greg Melchin |
| Succeeded by | Ron Liepert |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 30, 1944 Beaverlodge, Alberta, Canada |
| Political party | Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta |
| Spouse | Diana |
| Children | 3 |
| Profession | Mechanic, businessman, farmer |
| Website | http://www.melknightmla.com |
Early life
editMel Knight was born July 30, 1944, in Beaverlodge, Alberta.[2] His father worked for Northern Alberta Railways, and Knight grew up in the Peace Country.[1] He graduated from Hillside High School in Valleyview,[2][3] and worked as a roughneck and repairing equipment before earning his certification as a journeyman mechanic.[1][2][3] He worked for drilling and petroleum companies until 1970, when he founded his own firm, Knight Measurement and Control, which eventually employed 55 people.[1][2][3] He retired from this company in 1996.[1] In 1972, he moved to a farm south of Vallyview, where he raised cattle and grew forage commercially.[2][3] He bought a service station in 1974 that later operated as an antique shop (later shut down when the MD purchased the land for road access).[2] He is also active in real estate.[2]
Municipal politics
editKnight served as a municipal councillor for the Municipal District of Greenview No. 16.[2][3]
Provincial politics
editElectoral record
editKnight 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. Knight was easily elected, taking more than two-thirds of the vote against three opponents.[4] He was re-elected by smaller margins, although still with majorities, in the 2004 and 2008 elections.[5][6]
Backbencher
editAs a backbencher in Ralph Klein's Progressive Conservative caucus, Knight moved a number of government bills. The first was 2003's Electric Utilities Act, which made some changes to the government's deregulation of the province's electricity market.[7] Much of the debate around the bill was about whether the government's deregulation had worked well to date.[7][8][9][10] The bill was passed on a party line vote, with Knight's fellow Progressive Conservatives voting unanimously in favour and the opposition Liberals and New Democrats voting unanimously against.[11] Knight also sponsored the Securities Amendment Acts, separate bills with the same name from different years, 2005 and 2006.[12][13] The first of these was designed to harmonize the securities regulation with that of other provinces.[14] It was supported by Liberals Rick Miller and Bill Bonko, who considered it a step in the right direction.[15] New Democrats gave it a mixed reception, with Ray Martin agreeing that it did make some improvements,[15] but with his colleague David Eggen trying to kill it on third reading, saying that what was needed was a supra-provincial securities regulator.[16] The 2006 edition of the Securities Amendment Act implemented further harmonization, and passed with little debate.[17] The Securities Transfer Act of the same year consolidated and harmonized the province's rules for transferring securities, and passed with all-party support.[18]
In the 2006 Progressive Conservative leadership race, Knight endorsed eventual winner Ed Stelmach.[19]
Minister of Energy
editWhen Ed Stelmach became Premier in December 2006, he named Knight to his cabinet as Energy Minister.[20] In this capacity, Knight oversaw some of the Stelmach government's most contentious policy issues, beginning with the government response to the Alberta Royalty Review, which recommended dramatically higher royalty rates from companies extracting oil in Alberta.[1] The government rejected many of the review's recommendations, but did increase royalty rates by approximately 20% (25% less than recommended by the panel).[21] These increases were criticized as too low by the opposition Liberals and New Democrats and as too high by some industry groups and Paul Hinman, the Wildrose Alliance Party's leader and sole MLA.[21][22][23]
Knight also dealt with the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board affair, which resulted from the June 2007 revelation that the EUB, a government-mandated and appointed body responsible for regulating energy resource development, pipelines, transmission lines, and investor-owned electric, water, and natural gas utilities, as well as certain municipality-owned utilities, admitted that it had hired private investigators to spy on landowners who opposed the construction of a major power line in the Rimbey area.[24] Even as Stelmach defended the use of investigators, Knight called on the EUB to explain itself.[25] He ordered a judicial investigation into the issue, to run parallel to an investigation being conducted by provincial Information and Privacy Commissioner Frank Work.[24][26] After Work's investigation found that the EUB had violated provincial law and infringed on the landowner's privacy, the opposition parties called for Knight's resignation.[27] However, when Stelmach unveiled his new cabinet after his victory in the 2008 election, Knight remained as Energy Minister.[28]
The major legislative initiative of Knight's time as Energy Minister has been the Alberta Utilities Commission Act, which became better known by its order paper designation, Bill 46.[29] The bill split the EUB into two parts, the Alberta Utilities Commission (responsible for regulating utilities) and the Energy Resources Conservation Board (responsible for regulating oil and gas).[30] The legislation was controversial, as elements of the EUB's governing legislation that provided for public notice and consultation in the event of energy construction projects were missing from the new entities.[31] Opposition parties and activists protested the bill, but it passed through the legislature with the support of all Progressive Conservatives present.[32]
Knight has also presided over the appointment of an expert panel charged with evaluating the possibility of introducing nuclear energy into Alberta.[33] He 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.[34] Knight apologized for his error.[35]
In the government's 2008 throne speech, it asserted its intention to provide funding to expand Alberta's biofuels sector.[36] Knight asserted that this expansion would not result in increased food prices for Albertans.[37]
Personal life
editKnight is married to Diana, and the pair has three children.[3] He is a volunteer hockey coach and is active with his local gun club and petroleum association.[2]
Election results
edit2001 general election
edit| 2001 Alberta general election: Grande Prairie-Smoky | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | ||||
| Progressive Conservative | Mel Knight | 6,241 | 67.54% | 2.84% | ||||
| Liberal | Barry Robinson | 1,777 | 19.23% | -3.21% | ||||
| New Democratic | Leon Pendleton | 842 | 9.11% | -3.74% | ||||
| Alberta Independence | Dennis Young | 380 | 4.11% | – | ||||
| Total | 9,240 | – | – | |||||
| Rejected, spoiled and declined | 5 | – | – | |||||
| Eligible electors / turnout | 21,068 | 43.88% | -3.53% | |||||
| Progressive Conservative hold | Swing | 3.02% | ||||||
Source(s)
Source: "Grande Prairie-Smoky Official Results 2001 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2020. | ||||||||
2004 general election
edit| 2004 Alberta general election: Grande Prairie-Smoky | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | ||||
| Progressive Conservative | Mel Knight | 4,369 | 56.43% | -11.12% | ||||
| Liberal | Neil Peacock | 1,965 | 25.38% | 6.15% | ||||
| New Democratic | Georgina Szoke | 724 | 9.35% | 0.24% | ||||
| Alberta Alliance | Hank Rahn | 685 | 8.85% | – | ||||
| Total | 7,743 | – | – | |||||
| Rejected, spoiled and declined | 25 | – | – | |||||
| Eligible electors / turnout | 22,083 | 35.18% | -8.71% | |||||
| Progressive Conservative hold | Swing | -8.63% | ||||||
Source(s)
Source: "Grande Prairie-Smoky Statement of Official Results 2004 Alberta general election" (PDF). Elections Alberta. Retrieved March 27, 2010. | ||||||||
2008 general election
edit| 2008 Alberta general election: Grande Prairie-Smoky | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | ||||
| Progressive Conservative | Mel Knight | 4,769 | 59.43% | 3.01% | ||||
| Liberal | John A. Croken | 1,089 | 13.57% | -11.81% | ||||
| Wildrose Alliance | Todd Loewen | 1,049 | 13.07% | – | ||||
| New Democratic | Neil R.M. Peacock | 832 | 10.37% | 1.02% | ||||
| Green | Rebecca Villebrun | 285 | 3.55% | – | ||||
| Total | 8,024 | – | – | |||||
| Rejected, spoiled and declined | 31 | – | – | |||||
| Eligible electors / turnout | 27,058 | 29.77% | -5.41% | |||||
| Progressive Conservative hold | Swing | 7.41% | ||||||
Source(s)
Source: The Report on the March 3, 2008 Provincial General Election of the Twenty-seventh Legislative Assembly. Elections Alberta. July 28, 2008. pp. 424–429. | ||||||||
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Mel Knight: Alberta's New Energy Minister Is Thoroughly Oil-Soaked". DOB Magazine. December 18, 2006. Retrieved May 7, 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Knight's biography on his personal website". Archived from the original on June 14, 2010. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f "Knight's Legislative Assembly of Alberta biography". Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ "2001 Alberta provincial election results, Grande Prairie Smoky" (PDF). Retrieved May 7, 2008. [dead link]
- ^ "2004 Alberta provincial election results, Grande Prairie Smoky" (PDF). Retrieved May 7, 2008. [dead link]
- ^ "Alberta 2008 provincial election results, Grande Prairie Smoky". Archived from the original on March 2, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ a b https://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files%5Cdocs%5Chansards%5Chan%5Clegislature_25%5Csession_3%5C20030226_1330_01_han.pdf (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. February 26, 2003.
{{cite book}}:|chapter-url=missing title (help) - ^ https://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files%5Cdocs%5Chansards%5Chan%5Clegislature_25%5Csession_3%5C20030226_2000_01_han.pdf (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. February 26, 2003.
{{cite book}}:|chapter-url=missing title (help) - ^ https://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files%5Cdocs%5Chansards%5Chan%5Clegislature_25%5Csession_3%5C20030304_1330_01_han.pdf (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. March 4, 2003.
{{cite book}}:|chapter-url=missing title (help) - ^ https://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files%5Cdocs%5Chansards%5Chan%5Clegislature_25%5Csession_3%5C20030305_1330_01_han.pdf (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. March 5, 2003.
{{cite book}}:|chapter-url=missing title (help) - ^ https://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files%5Cdocs%5Chansards%5Chan%5Clegislature_25%5Csession_3%5C20030326_2000_01_han.pdf (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. March 26, 2003.
{{cite book}}:|chapter-url=missing title (help) - ^ "Bill Status Report for the 26th Legislature - 1st Session (2005)". Archived from the original on October 5, 2006. Retrieved March 7, 2008.
- ^ "Bill Status Report for the 26th Legislature - 2nd Session (2006)". Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2008.
- ^ https://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files%5Cdocs%5Chansards%5Chan%5Clegislature_26%5Csession_1%5C20050323_2000_01_han.pdf (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. March 23, 2005.
{{cite book}}:|chapter-url=missing title (help) - ^ a b https://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files%5Cdocs%5Chansards%5Chan%5Clegislature_26%5Csession_1%5C20050407_1330_01_han.pdf (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. April 7, 2005.
{{cite book}}:|chapter-url=missing title (help) - ^ https://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files%5Cdocs%5Chansards%5Chan%5Clegislature_26%5Csession_1%5C20050420_2000_01_han.pdf (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. April 20, 2005.
{{cite book}}:|chapter-url=missing title (help) - ^ https://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files%5Cdocs%5Chansards%5Chan%5Clegislature_26%5Csession_2%5C20060411_2000_01_han.pdf (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. April 11, 2006.
{{cite book}}:|chapter-url=missing title (help) - ^ https://www.assembly.ab.ca/ISYS/LADDAR_files%5Cdocs%5Chansards%5Chan%5Clegislature_26%5Csession_2%5C20060501_2000_01_han.pdf (PDF). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Legislative Assembly of Alberta. May 1, 2006.
{{cite book}}:|chapter-url=missing title (help) - ^ "List of MLA endorsements during 2006 Alberta Progressive Conservative leadership race". Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ "Stelmach names smaller cabinet". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. December 15, 2006. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
- ^ a b "Alberta increases royalties charged to energy companies". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. October 25, 2007. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
- ^ Fekete, Jason (January 22, 2008). "Stelmach defends easing royalty rules; Opposition calls retooling a sign of flawed plan". Calgary Herald. Retrieved May 7, 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Markusoff, Jason; Jason Fekete; Archie McLean (February 5, 2008). "Stelmach opponents promise to reopen royalty debate". National Post. Retrieved May 7, 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Fong, Patti (August 25, 2007). "Utilities regulator admits hiring spies". Toronto Star. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ "Alberta energy board's use of private eyes under investigation". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 26, 2007. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
- ^ "Landowners want police to look into spying accusations". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. July 10, 2007. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
- ^ "Energy and Utilities Board, minister pressured to resign". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. September 18, 2007. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
- ^ Harding, Jon (March 13, 2008). "Knight keeps post as energy minister". Calgary Herald. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ Kovats, Anthony (January 8, 2008). "MLA Supports Bill 46". Alberta Farmer. Retrieved May 7, 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Scotton, Geoffrey (December 18, 2007). "'It's been quite a year':Mel Knight". Calgary Herald. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ Gorman, Lyn (October 31, 2007). "Bill 46 another step back for democracy in Alberta". Vue Weekly. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
- ^ "Marathon legislative session breaks record". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. December 5, 2007. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
- ^ "Expert panel to study use of nuclear in Alberta". World Nuclear News. April 24, 2008. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ Loome, Jeremy. "Minister expected to apologize to Sierra Club". Edmonton Sun. Archived from the original on May 4, 2008. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ "Minister admits he got nuke ad facts wrong". Red Deer Advocate. April 30, 2008. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ Waugh, Neil (April 16, 2008). "Fantasyland under dome". Edmonton Sun. Archived from the original on April 20, 2008. Retrieved May 7, 2008.
- ^ D'Aliesio, Renata; Jason Fekete (April 16, 2008). "Alberta biofuel push won't drive up food prices: minister". Calgary Herald. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2008.