MLA: Hon. Bill Barisoff

Today we are praying for the Hon. Bill Barrisoff, Speaker and Member for Penticton Okanagan Valley.

Almighty and Everlasting Lord, This day we have the privilege of praying for Bill Barisoff, who holds the position of Speaker. We acknowledge the immense accomplishments and abilities that Mr. Barisoff has, and the desire to serve his constituents. Thank you for his committment to our country, Government and the people of Canada. Give him the stamina he needs to keep up with such a busy scedule and the ability to keep balance between his family life and work. We ask Your abundant blessings will shower over Bill, Edna, Glen, Michael, Darren, Eliza and Kayla today and all throughout 2009.

Bill Barisoff was first elected Speaker on September 12, 2005, and re-elected to this position on August 25, 2009. He also served as Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection and Minister of Provincial Revenue.

Mr. Barisoff previously held a variety of critic roles for the Official Opposition, including agriculture, transportation and highways and aboriginal affairs. He served on the province's Motor Carrier Commission and was a member of the Select Standing Committees on Aboriginal Affairs and on Agriculture.

He was first elected in 1996 to represent the riding of Okanagan-Boundary and was re-elected in 2001 and in 2005 as the Member for Penticton-Okanagan Valley. In 2009 he was re-elected as the Member for Penticton.

Bill, who was born and raised in Oliver, owned a trucking firm before his election to the Legislative Assembly.
He served as a school trustee for 18 years, including eight as chair of the Southern Okanagan school board; was a volunteer firefighter in Oliver for over 25 years; and sat on the Okanagan Labour Relations Council. He was also chair of the Oliver Recreation Commission for one year.
Bill and Edna Barisoff live in Oliver. Their family includes sons Glen, his wife Hilary; Michael; Darren, his wife Eliza, and grand-daughter Kayla Ramos Barisoff.