Alberta
Alberta Sports Hall of Fame announces 2024 Inductees
Alberta Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024
Shelley Vettese-Baert – Taekwondo Athlete
Born and raised in Edmonton, Shelley has left an indelible mark on the world of Taekwondo, boasting a remarkable 30-year career that has set her apart as a true pioneer in her sport. Her exceptional achievements include a World Cup bronze in Spain (1990), silver in Yugoslavia (1991), Olympic bronze in Spain (1992), gold at the Moscow and US Open in 1993, a bronze at the World Poomsae Championships in Russia (2011), and a bronze in Bali, Indonesia (2013). Recognized with the Governor General’s Jubilee Medal, she stands as Alberta’s only female athlete to reach such heights in Taekwondo. Beyond her achievements, Shelley is appreciated for her community impact, serving as a provincial and international coach and advocate in health and fitness. Retiring from Taekwondo sparring in 1999, she continues to participate in the “pattern” side of Taekwondo called Poomsae. To have reached the highest levels in both areas of Taekwondo (sparring and Poomsae) is a feat that few others have achieved. Shelley is also the first Taekwondo athlete to ever be inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame.
Chris McGregor – Horse Racing Athlete
Chris is a legendary figure in the world of horse racing. From 1979 to 2006 he participated in nearly 14,000 races and won 2,248 of them. A career high point came in 2000 when he won the Canadian Derby aboard Scotman, boasting an impressive 46% winning rate. McGregor’s excellence was recognized with nominations for the Sovereign Award in 1990 and 1992, along with notable wins such as Jockey of the Year in Saskatchewan in 1987 and Outstanding Jockey of the Year in 1988. He continued to be recognized for his winning talents by earning the Lou Davis Memorial Trophy for the top jockey in Alberta with 229 wins in 1990, as well as receiving the Joe Perlove Award for the most wins.
Darwin Davidiuk – Curling Builder
Darwin, a passionate advocate for curling, has been an integral part of the Alberta Curling community. He represented Northern Alberta’s interests at both provincial and national levels and coached successful Junior Men’s and Women’s teams in the 1960s-1970s. A competitive curler until 1990, Darwin won numerous zone berths and was a respected competitor known by many influential curlers. He founded the World Open, the first televised bonspiel on CBC, and is a founding member and current Vice President of the Northern Alberta Curling Championship Society. Notable achievements include serving as Vice Chair for various editions of the Labatt Brier and Tim Hortons Brier, promoting the Ford Men’s World Curling Championship in 2007, and leading initiatives for the 2013 Brier to honour curling legends and championship athletes in Edmonton.
Darwin spearheaded a project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Northern Alberta Curling Association (NACA), which ceased to exist due to the amalgamation of regional curling associations in Alberta. Serving as Vice President of the NACCS, Darwin collaborated with Terry Jones over 18 months to create a book celebrating NACA’s history.
Julius Fodor – Handball Builder
Julius Fodor played a pivotal role in advancing team handball in Alberta from 1963 onwards. Initially coaching at several Edmonton high schools, he founded the “Edmonton Canucks,” which significantly contributed to the sport’s future success in the province. Over the following years, Fodor played a vital role in introducing handball to prominent events such as the Alberta Winter Games and the Western Canada Games, and in developing the Canadian Team Handball Federation. Starting in 1968, he both played and coached teams at the international level, actively participating in organizing the 1978 North American Championships. Fodor’s extensive involvement in handball, spanning local, provincial, national, and international levels from the 1960s to the early 2000s, defines his lasting legacy in the sport. Anyone who has played handball in western Canada owes a debt of gratitude to Julius, acknowledging him as a pioneering force in introducing and fostering the sport in the region.
Ken Hitchcock – Hockey Builder
Ken Hitchcock was born with a connection to the rink, spending a significant portion of his life in Alberta and the rest wherever he was needed as a coach and ambassador of the game of hockey. With over 50 years dedicated to shaping the sport, Hitchcock’s impact extends far beyond coaching excellence. His legacy is one of tireless commitment to building the game of hockey and uplifting those involved at every level. Hitchcock has contributed to hockey development in Alberta, Canada, and around the world. His journey includes not just coaching but also helping hockey grow in Indigenous communities in our province and organizing coaching clinics in countries like France, Norway, and Germany. His dedication to hockey’s growth and empowering those involved shines through in his remarkable career.
Patrick Jarvis – Paralympic Builder
Patrick Jarvis has dedicated his life to empowering people with disabilities and encouraging them to seek their full potential through sports. As an athlete and builder, he has provided leadership to the Canadian Paralympic community for several decades. He competed at the 1990 World Track and Field Championships, as well as in the 1992 Summer Paralympic Games. Following his retirement from competition, he turned his attention to team management. He volunteered his time to the Alberta and Canadian Amputee Sport Associations, as well as the Canadian and International Paralympic Committees. Through these and other roles, he has guided hundreds of Canadian para-athletes and transformed multiple sports organizations.
Clayton “Darrell” MacLachlan – Alpine Skiing Builder
Darrell MacLachlan swiftly gained recognition within the Alpine Skiing community for his exceptional knowledge, unwavering passion, and remarkable skills, particularly in his commitment to supporting athletes navigating the challenges of a highly competitive environment. His global impact became evident as he consistently advocated for athlete safety and strived to establish a fair and level playing field for all participants. Embracing an important role within the Federation of International Skiing (FIS), Darrell took on critical responsibilities within various Committees and Sub-Committees of the FIS, making invaluable contributions to the Canadian Snowsports Association (CSA), FIS, and the broader International Ski Community. Above all, Darrell exemplifies a readiness to listen, adapt, and learn, ensuring the transfer of knowledge to others in the pursuit of excellence in alpine skiing.
Theresa Maxwell – Volleyball Builder
Theresa stands as one of the foremost builders of volleyball in the Volleyball Canada community, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. A dominant female student-athlete at the University of Calgary in the 1960s, Theresa’s sports journey began as she earned the title of University Female Athlete of the Year in 1964 and 1966. She then went on to coach children and youth at all levels, from developmental to highly competitive. She seamlessly transitioned to the administrative side of sports, dedicating over a decade to the Board and Presidency of the Alberta Volleyball Association. Her focus was to provide participation opportunities for all by developing programs and support at whatever age and level they chose to compete. From 1990 to 1994, Theresa assumed the role of President with Volleyball Canada, making history as the first woman appointed to the World League Volleyball jury in 1995. Her leadership extended internationally as the Head of Delegation for various prestigious events, including the Women’s World Championship in 1993. Theresa’s enduring commitment and devotion to volleyball have been instrumental in fostering the sport’s growth at the local, provincial, and national levels.
Ozzie Sawicki – Paralympic Builder
Ozzie Sawicki’s enduring career in the realm of sports spans over three decades, marked by a steadfast commitment to inclusivity and the belief that sport should be accessible to individuals of all abilities. From 2000 to 2004, Ozzie served as the head coach for the Canadian Para-Alpine Race team, achieving remarkable success at the Salt Lake City Paralympic Games in 2002. As the head coach of the Canadian Para Alpine Ski Team, Ozzie played an important role in securing 12 out of the total 15 medals earned by Team Canada at those Games. His leadership extended to the position of Team Canada’s Chef de Mission for the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, where Canada surpassed performance goals, securing seven gold, two silver, and seven bronze medals. Beyond his notable contributions on the international stage, including his role as head coach with the Canadian Para-Athletics Team (2009 to 2011) and as performance advisor to the Paralympic and Olympic Equestrian Teams (2009 to 2016), Ozzie is deeply involved in his community, earning recognition for his tireless efforts to enhance the world of adaptive sports and advocate for inclusivity and positive change.
Ron Thompson – Athletics Builder
For over four decades, Ron’s unwavering dedication to coaching has left a mark on the athletic landscape. His influence stretches beyond regional borders, encompassing the Edmonton community and various track clubs, where he has adeptly recruited and coached athletes. Among his notable successes is Marco Arop, the first Canadian male to win world gold in the 800m. Ron’s coaching legacy goes beyond individual achievements, as he has mentored several athletes to become esteemed coaches at national and international levels. Serving as a “team coach” at the University of Alberta and representing Team Alberta and Team Canada at national and international games, Ron consistently demonstrates a commitment to excellence. His impact isn’t confined to track and field; he has also made substantial contributions as a specialized sport performance trainer for athletes in football, rugby, soccer, basketball, and hockey, with nine players in the NHL. Throughout his extensive coaching career, Ron Thompson has been a beacon for the transformative power of sports in the lives of his proteges, shaping the Alberta sports community and leaving a positive impact that extends well beyond the world of athletics.
Tom Three Persons – Rodeo Pioneer
Tom Three Persons, a member of the Kainai Nation and a revered Siksikaitsitapi rodeo athlete and rancher, secured his legacy by winning the saddle bronc competition title at the inaugural Calgary Stampede in 1912. This victory, recognized as a world championship at the time, marked him as the only Canadian victor among the top rodeo athletes of that era. As an Indigenous athlete, Three Persons left a lasting mark on the history of the Calgary Stampede. Beyond his excellence in the arena, he played an important role as a builder in the sports of rodeo and horse racing in southern Alberta during the first half of the twentieth century. It is this lasting impact that positions Tom Three Persons as a Rodeo Pioneer in Alberta, a testament to his enduring contributions to the rich heritage of rodeo and horse racing in the region.
John Frederick Utendale – Hockey Pioneer
John Utendale, a pioneering force in hockey, cemented his legacy as one of the first Black players to sign an NHL contract when he joined the Detroit Red Wings in 1955. His impact extended beyond the rink as he became the first athletic director and hockey coach at NAIT in 1966. Utendale’s dedication to the sport reached new heights in 1980 when he earned an Olympic gold medal as the assistant training coach for the USA Men’s Hockey team. In 2023, he was recognized for his remarkable contributions by being honoured as a member of the induction class for the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame. Utendale’s lifetime of barrier-breaking achievements was commemorated in 2022 through a House Bill by the Washington State Legislature, acknowledging his role as an athlete, educator, and civil rights trailblazer. Further accolades followed in 2022, as he was inducted into the Western Washington University Athletic Hall of Fame and received Black History Month recognition from both the Edmonton Oilers and the Seattle Kraken in 2023. Utendale’s multifaceted impact on the world of hockey and his unwavering commitment to breaking barriers continue to resonate across generations.Top of Form
Join us for our Induction Ceremony on May 24. More details to follow.
For more information, please contact Tracey Kinsella, Executive Director at 403-341-8614 or via email at [email protected]
The Government of Alberta is working with partners to increase pipeline capacity in pursuit of its goal to double crude oil production and increase exports to the United States.
Alberta is a strong partner to the United States, currently delivering more than 4.3 million barrels per day to the U.S. The province is committed to increasing Alberta’s crude oil production and preserving and adding pipeline capacity, supporting North American energy security as well as enabling increased U.S. production.
The Government of Alberta is taking immediate action to accelerate its plan to increase pipeline capacity to get more product to market and more value for its product.
A critical step towards achieving this goal includes working directly with industry. This is why Alberta’s government has signed a letter of intent with Enbridge, which will form a working group with the Alberta Petroleum Marketing Commission (APMC). The working group will evaluate future egress, transport, storage, terminalling and market access opportunities across the more than 29,000 kilometres of the Enbridge network in support of moving more Alberta oil and gas to Canadians and American partners.
“The world needs more Alberta oil and gas, and we need to make sure Alberta is meeting those needs. Our objective of doubling oil production aligns with Enbridge’s plans to enhance its existing pipeline systems and we look forward to partnering with them to enhance cross-border transport solutions. This will also allow us to play a role in supporting the United States in its energy security and affordability goals.”
The working group will focus on preserving and optimizing egress, developing opportunities to expand along Enbridge’s current footprint, and developing new solutions to improve global market access and maximize the value of Alberta’s commodity. Additionally, it will work with government to cut red tape and streamline regulations and permitting approvals. It will also assess opportunities for shared investment and benefit to both Albertans and Enbridge by leveraging BRIK (Bitumen-Royalty-In-Kind) barrels.
“A strong and growing Alberta oil and gas transport and storage network will allow the Government of Alberta to maximize the economic benefits for all Albertans from our bitumen and natural gas royalties. We must also pursue regulatory reform where needed so Alberta can continue to be an attractive place for companies to invest.”
“Enbridge has 75 years of experience delivering Alberta’s energy, safely and cost-effectively to support the region’s economy, unlock export value and help meet North American demand. We’re prepared – and exceptionally well-positioned – to work with producers and governments to deliver capacity as production ramps up, providing cost-effective, scalable, executable solutions now and through the decade that support North American energy security, reliability and affordability.”
From the Fraser Institute
By Tegan Hill
In February 2024, the Smith government promised to share a plan to grow the Heritage Fund—Alberta’s long-term resource revenue savings fund—with the public before the end of 2024. But 2025 is upon us, and Albertans are still waiting.
The Lougheed government originally created the Heritage Fund in 1976/77 to save a share of the province’s resource wealth, including oil and gas revenues, for the future. But since its creation, Alberta governments have deposited less than 4 per cent of total resource revenue in the fund.
In other words, for decades successive Alberta governments have missed a golden opportunity. When governments make deposits in the Heritage Fund, they transform onetime (and extremely volatile) resource revenue into a financial asset that can generate more stable earnings over time. Eventually, the government could use annual income from the fund to replace volatile resource revenue in the budget.
Historically, however, rules that would have helped ensure the fund’s growth (for example, a requirement to deposit 30 per cent of resource revenue annually) were “statutory” rather than “constitutional,” which meant Alberta governments could easily disregard, change or eliminate these rules once they were no longer convenient.
And they did. The government changed that 30 per cent requirement to 15 per cent by 1982/83, and after an oil price collapse, eliminated it entirely in 1987/88. Due to a lack of consistent deposits, paired with the real value of the fund eroding over time due to inflation, and nearly all fund earnings being spent, the Heritage Fund is expected to be worth less than $25 billion in 2024/25.
Again, while Premier Smith has promised to grow the fund to between $250 billion to $400 billion by 2050, we’ve yet to see how she plans to do that. Whatever plan the government produces, it should heed lessons from other successful resource revenue savings fund such as Alaska’s Permanent Fund.
The Alaska government created its fund the same year Alberta created the Heritage Fund, but Alaska’s fund is worth roughly US$80 billion (or C$113 billion) today. What has the Alaska government done differently?
First, according to Alaska’s constitution, the state government must deposit 25 per cent of all mineral revenues into the fund each year. This type of “constitutional” rule is much stronger than a “statutory” rule that existed in Alberta. (While Canada does not have separate provincial constitutions, it’s possible to change Canada’s Constitution for province-specific measures.) Second, the Alaska government must set aside a share of the fund’s earnings each year to offset the effects of inflation—in other words, “inflation-proof” the principal of the fund to preserve its real value. And finally, the government must pay a portion of fund earnings to Alaskan citizens in annual dividends.
The logic of the first two rules is simple—the Alaskan government promotes growth in the fund by depositing mineral revenue annually, and inflation-proofing maintains the fund’s purchasing power. But consider the third rule regarding dividends.
The Alaska government created the annual dividend, paid out annually to Alaskans, to create political pressure for future governments to responsibly maintain the fund. Because citizens have an ownership share in the fund, they’re more interested in the state maximizing returns from its resource wealth. This has helped maintain and reinforce robust fiscal rules that make the Permanent Fund successful.
Based on this success, if the Smith government began contributing 25 per cent of resource revenue to the Heritage Fund and inflation-proofed the principal, it could pay each Albertan a total dividend between roughly $600 to $1,100 from 2024/25 to 2026/27, or roughly $2,300 to $4,400 per family of four. And as the fund grows, so would the dividends.
Almost one year ago, the Smith government promised a new plan for the Heritage Fund. When the plan is finally released, it should include a constitutional requirement for consistent contributions and inflation-proofing, and annual dividends for Albertans.
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