Janis Tarchuk  Janis Tarchuk is a Canadian politician and was a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta representing the constituency of Banff-Cochrane as a Progressive Conservative. Tarchuk has a long history of community involvement. Prior to provincial politics she chaired and sat on several local health and education boards, and served as an executive member of the Alberta School Boards Association, director of Jubilee Insurance and a board member of the Alberta Educational Technology and Research Foundation. Born and raised in Guelph, Ontario, Ms Tarchuk received her bachelor of arts degree majoring in political science at the University of Guelph. Tarchuk was first elected on March 11, 1997, and served four terms as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Banff-Cochrane. During this time she has chaired several key committees related to economic development, finance, taxation, sustainable development and health and has served as Minister of Children and Youth Services and Minister of Children's Services. Currently Ms. Tarchuk is Chair of the Standing Committee on the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund. She is also on the board of Alberta Research and Innovation Authority, an Alberta Innovates advisory body that provides strategic advice and recommendations to the Government of Alberta on research opportunities, emerging technologies and policy direction to enhance innovation. In addition she is a member of the Cabinet Policy Committee on Education, the Standing Committee on Education and the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing. As a resident of the Bow Valley for over 30 years, her personal interests include skiing, hiking, reading and the many local cultural opportunities. Tarchuk and her husband Byron live in Banff and have two grown children.  http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_bio&rnumber=45