Alberta PC MLAs Jonathan Denis, Christine Cusanelli on life after politics

It's been almost eightweeks since the NDP shocked the province with their majority win to form the Alberta government.

With that shakeup, manyformer PC MLAs suddenly found themselves out of a job.So where are they now?

ChristineCusanelli

This former Tory MLA for Calgary-Currie and minister of Tourism, Parks, and Recreation says she isgoing back to school.

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When she was elected in 2012, Cusanelli was given a four-year leave from the Calgary Catholic School District where she was aprincipal atSt. Michael's School in city's southwest.

"I think I was born and bred to be a public servant. When I left the school board I knew that I was going into politics specifically to make a difference."

Cusanellisays she missed the May 1 deadline for when principals are picked, so this fallshe willbe working as a junior administrator with the school board.

"I'm pretty refreshed about by the idea of being able to take back my private life and still do good in the community," she said.

Jonathan Denis

Alberta's former minister of justice doesn't know for sure if his political life is over.

"It does get into yourblood," saidJonathan Denis. "The last sevenyears I have served this province have been the most rewarding of my life."

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Denis says he's leaving thedoor to public life open.In the meantime, he'slobbying outside the province for several companies in the private sector"within the confines Alberta Accountability Act."

In an interview Monday on the Calgary Eyeopener, Denispraised his NDP successor Kathleen Ganley for pledging to continue the work he did under the Progressive Conservativestoreform Alberta'scourt system.

"I like what I see so far," said Denis.

Other MLAs

• Thomas Lukaszukisstill looking for work. In the meantime, the former PC MLA forEdmonton-Castle Downssays he'staking a month-long vacation because hehasn't spent much time with his family over the past15 years.
• Linda Johnson says she's "working on her golf game" right now. The Tory MLA wasdefeated inCalgary-Glenmoreby six votes to the NDP'sAnam Kazim. Johnson saysher future is unclear but she's looking for a careerin community relations.
• Former Fort McMurray-Conklin MLADon Scotthasopened a law firm.