Minister of Children and Family Services
The Honourable Searle Turton was re-elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, representing the constituency of Spruce Grove-Stony Plain, on May 29, 2023.
Mr. Turton was sworn in as the Minister of Children and Family Services on June 9, 2023.
He acted as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and was the private sector union liaison for the Ministry of Labour and Immigration.
Mr. Turton was previously the Deputy Chair of the Select Special Information and Privacy Commissioner Search Committee, Deputy Chair for the Standing Committees on Public Accounts and a member of the Select Special Child and Youth Advocate Search Committee as well as the Standing Committee on Resource Stewardship.
Before serving with the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Turton was a three-term city councillor for Spruce Grove. He also worked in technology sales and implementing document control systems for one of the largest technology companies in Canada. Before this, he was a tradesman in construction with extensive experience working in oil and gas processing facilities and refineries throughout Alberta. Mr. Turton and his wife also own and manage rental properties throughout the Edmonton region.
A lifelong volunteer, he has served as a director of the Spruce Grove public library board, chairman of the TransAlta Tri Leisure Centre as well as trustee for the Alberta Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers Local 1325. Mr. Turton served on various municipal boards, including a term as chair of Economic Development for the city of Spruce Grove. He also participated in multiple international mission trips working with children’s programs and home building projects for underprivileged families.
Mr. Turton, his wife Amy, and their two children, Aiden and Xavier, live in Spruce Grove. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, travelling, skiing, and playing board games, volleyball, soccer, tennis and pickleball.
Mr. Turton was the 950th Member sworn into the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.