MLA Hon Barry Penner Chilliwack-Hope Minister of Environment

We come together and ask that You God of all the Earth would bless Barry Penner today. We ask that You would give Barry the wisdom to make wise decisions on behalf of the people of British Columbia in the area of stewardship of our environment. Thank You for his many years of service, may he continue to be able to do this with in good health and much enthusiasm and joy.

Barry Penner was re-elected as MLA to represent the new riding of Chilliwack-Hope in the spring of 2009.

Barry was first elected to represent Chilliwack in 1996, and was re-elected in the new riding of Chilliwack-Kent in 2001 and 2005.

Mr. Penner was appointed Minister of Environment on June 10, 2009.

Barry was raised in Chilliwack. He studied political science and economics at Simon Fraser University to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree. He later earned his law degree from the University of Victoria. A former park ranger and sawmill worker, Barry also worked as a B.C. Legislative intern in Victoria. In 1991, he worked for an International law firm in Bangkok, Thailand and then later practiced law in Chilliwack until his election in 1996.

Barry previously served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Government House Leader, as Chair of the Government Caucus Committee on Natural Resources, and was a member of the Legislature's Standing Committee on Crown Corporations.

Barry was appointed by Premier Campbell as the co-chair of B.C.’s Alternative Energy and Power Technology Task Force in April 2005.

He has also chaired the Legislature’s Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills, and served as a member of the Legislature's Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, and the Cabinet Committee for Legislative Review.

Premier Campbell appointed Barry in 2001 to lead BC's delegation to the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER). He served as President of PNWER from June 2002 to July 2003 and remains active in PNWER issues.

Barry represents and lives in the electoral district of Chilliwack-Hope.