Brent Rathgeber was elected to the 40th Parliament of Canada on October 14, 2008.
Brent was born in Melville, Saskatchewan in 1964. After graduating from Melville Comprehensive School in 1982, Brent obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and Bachelor of Laws degrees from the University of Saskatchewan. In between degrees, he was a Ministerial Assistant to a Senior Saskatchewan Cabinet Minister.
Brent began his legal career in Calgary, articling with the Law Firm, Milner and Steer (now Fraser Milner Casgrain). Thereafter, he practiced law in Red Deer as a Litigator with Sisson Warren Sinclair. In 1994, Brent moved to Edmonton where he specialized in litigation.
Brent entered Public Life in 2001 when he became the Member of the Alberta Legislature for Edmonton-Calder. During his Alberta Legislative career, Brent chaired the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Review on behalf of the Alberta Legislature and sat on two Alberta Government Labour Code review committees.
In 2001, Brent was appointed Queen's Counsel.
Brent gained a reputation as an advocate for victims' legal rights during the contentious 2003 debate concerning automobile insurance reform.
After the 2004 election, Brent returned to private life and practice in law. In March 2005, Brent became the Executive Director of the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCAC), an industry association of industrial contractors, who believe in progressive labour relations with their employees.
In 2007, Brent won the nomination for the Federal riding of Edmonton-St. Albert but he would have to wait for almost 18 months before the election was called. Brent won the riding with over 61% of the vote and was off to Ottawa as the Member of Parliament for Edmonton – St. Albert.
Shortly after assuming his Parliamentary duties following the 2008 election, Brent was appointed to the House of Commons Standing Committees on "Justice and Human Rights" and "Public Safety and National Security". On both of these committees, Brent works tirelessly to promote laws to provide safe streets and safe communities and to enhance the rights of victims of crime.
On March 10, 2011, Brent tabled his first Private Member’s Bill. Bill C-637, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (Public Transit Operators). This Bill is also known as Bregg’s Bill and is named in honour of Tom Bregg, a constituent and former Edmonton Transit Operator who was viciously attacked while performing his duties as an operator in December of 2009.
Brent serves as a Volunteer on the Board of Directors of "Chrysalis: An Alberta Society for Persons with Disabilities".
Brent is an original Steel Founder and supporter of the St. Albert Steel, St. Albert’s Junior Hockey League franchise. Brent serves as a guest public address announcer for the Edmonton Prospect Junior Baseball Club whenever his schedule permits.
Brent is also an Edmonton Eskimo Season Ticket holder.
In his spare time, Brent enjoys sports, fitness, music, reading and writing.
Authorized by the Official Agent for Brent Rathgeber
