MLA Hon Barry Penner Chilliwack-Hope Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Attorney General

Lord of grace and mercy who rules the Universe with power, authority and grace we come to You at this moment to pray for the Hon Barry Penner. May he realize that You care about him and that as he has been entrusted with this very important portfolio of protecting this beautiful world You have created for us may he realize that he needs Divine direction in fulfilling this sacred trust. Bless his efforts and empower him with insight and wisdom. We ask this in the precious name of Jesus who created all that we observe. Amen

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 renamed riding of Chilliwack-Kent in 2001 and 2005.

Mr. Penner was appointed Minister of Environment in June, 2005. He is the longest serving Environment Minister in BC History and is currently the longest serving Environment Minister in Canada.

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 was appointed by Premier Campbell as the co-chair of B.C.’s Alternative Energy and Power Technology Task Force in April 2005. He is keenly interested in renewable energy and conservation technologies.

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 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.