Monday, January 31, 2011

MLA Hon. Shirley Bond Prince George-Valemount Minister of Transportation and Infastructure

Our Father, as we remember Shirley Bond today, may You, indeed, bless Shirley with divine guidance and direction .We pray for discernment and insight, as she gives leadership in her portfolio. May the joy of the Lord be her strength, as she faces the many challenges that occur daily. Grant her sound judgment and good decision-making in all her work. May You shower her with favour, as she meets each challenge with confidence and courage. We pray You will abundantly bless her and her family with good health, along with a rich supply of Your loving care and protection, as she travels about the province.
In the strong name of Jesus we pray, amen

Shirley Bond was re-elected to a third term as MLA for Prince George-Valemount on May 12, 2009 and appointed Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure on June 10, 2009.

Shirley was previously appointed Minister of Education and Minister responsible for Early Learning and Literacy on June 16, 2005 and Deputy Premier on September 20, 2004. She also serves as Vice-Chair of the Treasury Board, chairs the Cabinet Committee on New Relationship Coordination, and is a member of the Cabinet climate Action Committee.

Shirley was elected in 2001 and re-elected in 2005 to represent the riding of Prince George-Mount Robson. She previously served as Minister of Advanced Education and Minister of Health Services.

Before her election to the Legislative Assembly, she served three terms on the Prince George School Board, the last as chair. She also worked with the continuing education department of the Prince George School District, becoming its business manager. She was given the B.C. Interior, North & Yukon Woman of Distinction Award for her work in public education.

Minister Bond has an arts and science diploma from the College of New Caledonia and, up until becoming MLA, was working on a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science at the University of Northern BC.

She was protocol director for the 2001 Special Olympic Summer Games and sat on the boards of Carey Theological College, the Personal Living Choices Society, the Trinity Opportunity Fund Grants Committee and the City of Prince George's Standing Committee on Youth.

Shirley and Bill Bond live in Prince George. They have twin adult children.





Sunday, January 30, 2011

MLA Harry Bloy Member for Burnaby-Lougheed

Thank You, Lord for guiding Harry thru nearly a decade of public service as an MLA. Thank You, also for the practical gifts and experience he brings to the various aspects of business practices and development in BC. Please bless his relationship with his wife Anita and his children Jeremy, Katie and Candice…may they be very close as a family.

Harry Bloy was first elected in the riding of Burquitlam in 2001 and was re-elected in the May 2005 provincial general election. He won election to the Legislature for a third time in 2009 for the new riding of Burnaby-Lougheed.

Harry served on the Government Caucus Committee for Natural Resources and Economy and three Select Standing Committees: Finance and Government Services; Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills; and, Legislative Initiatives. In addition, he was the Deputy Chair of Committee of the Whole.

Previously, Harry served on the Crown Corporations, Public Accounts, Finance and Government Services committees. He was also a member of the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Prior to being an MLA, Harry was the President of a local telecommunications company. Harry earned a marketing diploma from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in Toronto after which he worked as a systems analyst before moving into retail. Starting as a district manager, he became national marketing manager for a countrywide retail chain. In 1979 Harry and his brother opened the first in a series of convenience stores and over the next 12 years developed, operated and expanded the chain before selling the business. Since the early 90's, Harry has been involved in a number of businesses including the distribution of dairy products and in an executive office leasing company.

Throughout his life, Harry has believed in the importance of volunteering. He served on the board of directors and was a founding member of the Burnaby Optimist Club. Harry also serves as a member of the Regional Council of Scouts Canada-Burnaby Region.

Harry's extensive community involvement in the riding dates back to 1979 and has included the Burquitlam Community Association, Burnaby Mountain Mantas Summer Swim Club (of which he was a founding member), former President of the Burnaby Arts Council, Burnaby Minor Lacrosse, District Parent Advisory Council and the Parent Advisory Council for his children's elementary school. He has also volunteered for many events and projects including the Healthy Heart Fun Run and Walk, Mothers March of Dimes and the BC Summer Games.

Born in 1946 in Sudbury, Ontario, Harry and his wife Anita married in 1977 and have lived in the constituency since 1978; they have three children, Jeremy, Katie and Candice. Harry enjoys walking, photography, volunteering and gardening.









Thursday, January 27, 2011

MLA Hon. Iain Black Port Moody-Coquitlam Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development

We thank You Heavenly Father for Hon. Iain Black who was appointed Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development . You have blessed him with many gifts and the eagerness to better his province. We pray that You will continue to have Your hand upon him and guide him with much wisdom and grace. We ask that You bless him for the many sacrifices he has made and continue to give him the energy and knowledge to go about the many tasks before him. Bless his wife and 3 children and grant them peace and prosperity.

Iain Black was appointed Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development on June 10, 2009. He was previously Minister of Labour and Citizens' Services from June 23, 2008, to June 9, 2009.

Minister Black was elected to represent the new riding of Port Moody-Coquitlam in the 2009 provincial general election. He was first elected as an MLA for the former Port Moody-Westwood riding in 2005. Prior to his cabinet appointment, Minister Black served on the BC Provincial Treasury Board and several Select Standing Committees of the Legislature including Finance, Crown Corporations (where he served as Chair) and Public Accounts. He also served as Chair of both the Special Committee to Appoint a Conflict of Interest Commissioner and the Government Caucus Committee on Natural Resources and the Economy.

At the point of his election, Minister Black was president of the Banking Solutions Group of Open Solutions Canada. Prior to Open Solutions, Minister Black served as president or chief operating officer of both publicly traded and private technology companies, and as a partner with a national professional services firm. He started his career with IBM Canada Ltd.

Minister Black’s list of community volunteer roles includes coaching youth soccer in Coquitlam, and serving as a board director of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. A recipient of the 40-Under-40 award in 1998, “recognizing top business achievement in British Columbians”, Minister Black is an experienced speaker at North American business and technology industry conferences, who holds an honours degree in business from the University of Manitoba.

Minister Black and his wife reside in Coquitlam with their three children.





Wednesday, January 26, 2011

MLA Dawn Black Member for New Wesminister

Dear Heavenly Father, we lift up MLA Dawn Black to You today. Thank you for her dedication to represent and serve her constituents in New Westminster.  Thank you for the years of experience she brings to her role as opposition critic for Advanced Education and Labour Market Development.  We ask You to bless Dawn and her family in Jesus name, amen.

Dawn Black was elected as MLA for New Westminster on May 12, 2009.

Dawn serves as opposition critic for Advanced Education and Labour Market Development.

Dawn and her family live in New Westminster. Dawn served three terms as a Member of Parliament.

The Toronto Star voted Dawn as one of the top ten MPs in Canada. The Globe and Mail featured her as one of only four Question Period standouts.

Following former New Westminster MLA Chuck Puchmayr’s announcement that he would not be seeking re-election, Dawn decided to come home and enter provincial politics.

Dawn lives with her husband Peter in New Westminster. They have three sons and seven grandchildren.





Tuesday, January 25, 2011

MLA Hon. Bill Bennett Kootenay East Minister of Community and Rural Development

Lord Jesus, we pray for a clear path for Hon. Bill Bennett during this time of uncertainty.  You have gifted him with a heart and mind that treasures the natural resources of our great province and a boldness to speak what is in his heart.  We ask that You will give him wisdom on how to navigate along with creative and honouring ways to continue to serve the citizens that he represents.  We pray Your blessings over his family, friends and home.

Bill Bennett was re-elected to represent the riding of Kootenay East on May 12, 2009 and was appointed Minister of Community and Rural Development on June 10, 2009. On June 11, 2010, he was appointed the Minister of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources.

Bill was first elected to represent the riding of East Kootenay in 2001 and re-elected in 2005. He was previously appointed Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts on June 23, 2008, and Minister of State for Mining on June 16, 2005.

Previously, Bill was Chair of the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, a member of the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth, and chair of the B.C. Outdoor Caucus. Bill also served as the government leader on the Parliamentary Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts. In addition, he served as deputy chair of the Legislative Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations. As a rural MLA, Bill's caucus committee focus has been on natural resource issues, having participated on committees dealing with mining, forestry, agriculture and land use.

Before being elected, Bill was a partner in a Cranbrook law firm. In 1976, he earned an honours degree in English from the University of Guelph and in 1992, at the age of 42, a law degree from Queen’s University. Bill owned and operated fly-in wilderness lodges in the Northwest Territories and Manitoba from 1977 to 1993. Bill served as president of the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce in 1997 and 1998 and was incoming chair of the BC Chamber of Commerce in 2000 when he took the plunge into provincial politics. Bill was twice elected Cranbrook Business Person of the Year and served as president of the Kootenay Bar Association.

Bill and his wife Beth married in 1974 and have two sons, Dylan and Daniel. Bill is a passionate snowboarder who enjoys the outdoors by hunting, fishing and hiking in the Canadian Rockies.





Monday, January 24, 2011

MLA Hon. Patrick Bell Prince George-Mackenzie Minister of Forests, Mines and Lands

Dearest Heavenly Father, we come to You today with thanks for Your omnipotence and great wisdom in appointing MLA, the Honourable Patrick Bell, to government for such a time as this. We ask, Lord, that You give him great wisdom, and special insights into the affairs of his portfolio in Forests and Land Management, and a desire to accomplish all that You would put in his heart.

We ask that You bless and strengthen his family unit even as they make sacrifices for his schedule and all that goes with being a government minister and an MLA to the people of Prince George-Mackenzie. Give him peace, and may he sense Your guiding hand in all he does.

Pat Bell was re-elected to a third term as MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie on May 12, 2009 and appointed Minister of Forests, Mines and Lands on October 25, 2010.

Bell was first appointed Minister of Forests and Range on June 23, 2008. He previously served as Minister for Agriculture and Lands and as Minister of State for Mining.

Bell was elected to represent the riding of Prince George North in the 2001 election and re-elected in 2005.

He has served on the Government Caucus Committee on Natural Resources and B.C. Task Force on Mining, and as chair of the Small Scale Salvage Review Committee. Bell has also served on the Legislative Select Standing Committees on Education and Crown Corporations.

Prior to becoming an MLA, Bell owned a trucking company and co-owned a logging company. He owns two Wendy's Restaurants in Prince George.

Committed to youth sport, Bell chaired the junior golf program at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club from 1993 to 1997. He also coached high school volleyball and supported the Prince George Barracuda Swim Club. Bell served for several years on the Tourism Prince George Board of Directors.

Born in Vancouver and educated at the University of British Columbia, Bell has lived in Prince George since 1988. He and his wife Brenda have three children.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

MLA Donna Barnett Member for Cariboo-Chilcotin

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Donna Barnett and the time and effort she puts into her ministry work.  We pray a blessing of Your supernatural strength upon her so that she will have the energy and stamina to take on the tasks required of her in her postion.  We ask that You remind her that her strength and passion for her work come from You.  In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Donna Barnett was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Pine Beetle Community Recovery to the Ministry of Community and Rural Development on June 10, 2009. She was elected MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin on May 12.

A self-employed business owner and realtor, Donna served as mayor of the District of 100 Mile House from 1986 to 1990 and again from 1996 to 2008.

During that time, Donna served as co-chair of the Council of Resource Community Mayors, as well as chair of the Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition. Additionally, she was a member of the federal government’s Minister of Natural Resources Committee and a member of the Premier's Climate Action Team.

Donna’s political experience is very diverse. She has been either a member of or involved in: the Cariboo Regional District and Hospital District, Community Policing, the Premier's Task Force on Opportunities, Land Use Planning, Health Care, the Restorative Justice Committee, the Regional Economic Development Committee, the BC Open Learning Agency, the Board of Directors for the Cariboo College and the Chamber of Commerce.

With over 35 years of community involvement, Donna has been a Rotarian, a member of the 100 Mile House Kinettes, a member of the 100 Mile Outriders Club, chair of the Spirit of BC 100 Mile House Community Committee, chair of the100 Mile Chapter of Kisport, chair of the 100 Mile & District Safety Committee, a member of Measuring up the North 100 Mile Committee, chair of the 100 Mile Advisory Committee for the Industrial Hemp Pilot Project, a member of the 100 Mile House Museum Society, a member of the Lower Bridge Creek Watershed Society and served as chair of the South Cariboo Planning Council.

Donna has been the recipient of many awards including the 2008 Women in Resource Communities Woman of the Year Award and 2006 BC Government Community Achievement Award.

Donna and her husband Jack have two grown children and one grandchild.









Thursday, January 20, 2011

MLA Hon. Bill Barisoff Penticton Speaker

Great and awesome Father, defender of truth we bring before You today our MLA and Speaker: Hon. Bill Barisoff. We thank You for his faithfulness in carrying out his duties and we ask that You would sustain and bless him as he walks as a parliamentarian, as a community member and as a father. Please endow him with wisdom and discretion in all he does and let him feel Your gentle guidance. We pray blessings of peace and health for him and his family, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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, and grand-son Benjamin Charles; Michael; Darren, his wife Eliza, and grand-daughter Kayla Ramos Barisoff.





Wednesday, January 19, 2011

MLA Harry Baines Member for Surrey-Newton

Dear Heavenly Father, we lift up MLA Harry Bains to You today. Thank You for his dedication to ensuring our Transportation and Infrastructure gets the attention required. Thank You for giving him wisdom and insight as he serves his constituents in Surrey-Newton. We ask You to bless him and his family and keep them safe.

Harry Bains was re-elected as the MLA for Surrey-Newton on May 12, 2009. He was first elected to the Legislature on May 17, 2005.

Harry serves as opposition critic for Transportation and Infrastructure.

Harry has been active in the Surrey community for many years. He has years of experience in education having served on the Kwantlen College Board of Governors between 1993 and 1999.

Harry was an elected officer of Steelworkers-IWA Canada local 2171 for over fifteen years. He served most recently as Vice president of his local, where he led negotiations and engaged in bargaining for better working conditions for working people.

Harry and his wife Rajvinder live in Surrey. They have two children, Kulpreet and Jasmeen.









Tuesday, January 18, 2011

MLA Robin Austin Member for Skeena

Lord, please bless Robin today as he serves his constituents and the needs that they have. Give him wisdom to bring forward ideas for our Education system that will benefit all our young people. Grant him special grace as he is separated from his wife and two teenagers by so many miles.

Robin Austin was re-elected as the MLA for Skeena on May 12, 2009. He was first elected to the Legislature on May 17, 2005.

Robin serves as opposition critic for Education, Early Learning and Literacy.

Robin was employed as a Community Schools Coordinator for a Non-Profit Society in Terrace.

Prior to entering the social work field, Robin spent 20 years working in the Private Sector for both large corporations and small businesses associated with the Hotel/Tourism industry. Robin has a B.A. from Strathclyde University in Scotland as well as a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Northern BC.

Robin and his wife have been married for twenty years and are the parents of two active teenagers.









Monday, January 17, 2011

MLA George Abbott Shuswap

Lord, we lift up George Abbott and all that he does for his constituency and his country. We thank You for him and ask that You continue to establish the work of his hands. Direct his paths as he seeks the leadership of his party.  Grant him strength in this race.


In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.




George Abbott was appointed Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation and government deputy house leader on June 10, 2009. He was re-elected as MLA for the Shuswap on May 12, 2009.

He had served as Minister of Health since June 16, 2005 and previously served as Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services and Minister of Sustainable Resource Management.

He has also been deputy house leader for the Official Opposition and was critic for municipal affairs and forests. He was Deputy Chair of the Select Standing Committees on Forests, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, and was a member of the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs. Additionally, he sat on the Official Opposition Caucus Committee on Crime.

First elected as MLA in 1996 to represent the riding of Shuswap, George was re-elected in 2001 and again in 2005. Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, George was a political science instructor at Okanagan University College. He also owned the oldest and largest berry farm in the Interior.

He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia and his Master of Arts in political science from the University of Victoria.

George was the chair of the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District. He was also involved in amateur sports as a minor hockey coach.

George and Lesley Abbott live in Sicamous and have three children.









Sunday, January 16, 2011

MLA Hon . John Yap Richmond-Steveston Minister of State for Climate Action

Dear Father, we bring John Yap before You today. We take this opportunity to ask Your blessing on John. Father, give him wisdom and insight for the decisions he makes. Grant him health, strength and joy as he serves his constituency of Richmond-Steveston and our province as Minister of State for Climate Change. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

John Yap was first elected in the riding of Richmond-Steveston in the 2005 provincial election. He was re-elected on May 12, 2009.

Minister Yap previously served as the chair of the Government Caucus. He was also a member of the Treasury Board, the Legislative Review Cabinet Committee, as well as the Select Standing Committees of Public Accounts and Crown Corporations. He has also served as a member of the Special Committee on Sustainable Aquaculture and was previously a member of the Finance and Government Services Committee.

Minister Yap is active in the community as a Rotarian, being a charter member and past president of the Richmond Sunset Rotary Club. He is also a member of Gilmore Park United Church, where he has previously served as board chair, finance chair, treasurer and personnel committee chair. He has served as board chair of Gilmore Seniors Centre, a 117-unit seniors’ residence. John is an honorary member of the Vancouver Diamond Lions Club.









Thursday, January 13, 2011

MLA Hon. Naomi Yamamoto North Vancouver-Lonsdale Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations

Lord, thank You for Minister Yamamoto and the special gifts You have given her for assisting the health of businesses in our Province. May she have keen insight to guide the revision of building codes wisely. Bless her as she helps her constituents.In Jesus name, Amen.

Naomi Yamamoto was elected as MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale in the 2009 general provincial election and was appointed Minister of State for intergovernmental Relations in June 2009.

Minister Yamamoto had been the president and owner of Tora Design Group in North Vancouver for 21 years. She also enjoyed working with the business community as the president and general manager of the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce.

She also served on the board of the North Shore Credit Union and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and was president of the Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation. As well, she represented the North Vancouver Chamber on the North Shore 2010 Spirit Committee and Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism Association Board.

In 1997, Minister Yamamoto served as chair of the BC Chamber of Commerce. She completed a six-year term on the board of Capilano College, with the last three years as chair. She also enjoyed six years as a director of the North Shore Neighbourhood House.

In 2005, Naomi was appointed as an inaugural member of the Premier’s Small Business Roundtable.

In her role as Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations, Naomi Yamamoto is also the Premier’s representative to the Pacific North West Economic Region.









Tuesday, January 11, 2011

MLA Claire Trevena Member for North Island

Creator:  I pray today for Claire Trevena and ask for extra support for her in her work. Help her to see the challenges of each day as tasks You have purposefully set before her. Help her to find inner resources and ideas beyond what she thought she possessed. And at the end of every day, give her rest, peace and a sense of accomplishment. This is asked in the name of the one who loves us best. Amen.

Claire Trevena was first elected in May 2005 and was re-elected on May 12, 2009.

Claire is a former journalist, community activist and human rights worker.

In the early 1990s, Claire came to Canada as the BBC's Canadian correspondent.

Awarded the Canadian Civilian Peacekeeping Medal, she's worked on democratic development projects overseas and in Canada.

Claire was an active trade unionist in her professional life. Since moving to BC she has been involved in a number of community initiatives, including a weekly community kitchen on Quadra Island as well as various environmental initiatives.

She was elected to the board of the Quadra Community Association and held a seat on the Regional District of Comox Strathcona Regional Area J Advisory Planning Committee.

Prior to the 2005 election, Claire ran a small communications business on Quadra Island with her husband, Mike McIvor.







Monday, January 10, 2011

MLA Jane Thornthwaite Member for North Vancouver - Seymour

Our gracious and loving heavenly Father we come to You on behalf of MLA Jane Thornthwaite who has given unstintingly of her time and treasure to serve both her own constituents and as well all of the citizens of the province of British Columbia. We pray a special blessing upon her this day and all the days she spends in the legislature and on many important committees.  May she sense Your guiding hand in all that she endevours to do.  Grant her physical well being and spiritual insight. May she realize she may call upon the Lord of the Universe to guide her every precious moment of every day.We thank You now Lord for this gracious lady.  Amen

Jane Thornthwaite was elected MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour in the 2009 general provincial election.

Since 2005, Jane was a School Trustee for the North Vancouver Board of Education and topped the polls in both the 2005 and 2008 municipal elections. She was elected Chair of the North Vancouver Board of Education in December 2008 and resigned from the Board June 2009 after being elected to the Legislature.

Previously, Jane was a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (B.Sc., B.H.E.) with a 22-year career in health care. Jane’s work experience includes positions in hospital dietetics and community health, an instructor for a third year required Nutrition course at UBC, a Corporate Nutritionist for an international Health Food Chain and a National Sales Representative for an international pharmaceutical firm.

Her writing has been published in a wide variety of publications and she has been a guest presenter and lecturer at numerous colleges and universities.

As a former self-employed health consultant, Jane has experience operating a small business and supporting a family as a mother of three kids.

Jane has an extensive volunteer career on the North Shore and has lived in North Vancouver for over 19 years.









Thursday, January 6, 2011

MLA Hon. Steve Thomson Kelowna-Mission Minister of Agriculture and Lands

Thank You Lord for putting the Honorable Steve Thomson in this leadership position over Kelowna-Mission.  Please protect his health and the health of his family.  Lord, allow him to feel Your presence as he leads others. Continue to bring more opportunities into his life to serve You and this province.
In Jesus name we pray, amen.

Steve Thomson was appointed Minister for Agriculture and Lands on June 10, 2009. He was elected to represent the riding of Kelowna-Mission on May 12, 2009.

Born and raised in Kelowna, Steve comes from a pioneer family who continue to operate the original family farm established in 1896.

Steve is the former executive director of the BC Agriculture Council and has developed his career and experience working on behalf of British Columbia farmers and ranchers. He has served as General Manager of the BC Fruit Growers Association and the BC Milk Producers Association.

He has been selected for many leadership roles and advisory positions dedicated to the continuous improvement of our province. Steve brings to his role of MLA for Kelowna Mission extensive leadership expertise, experience in economic development and a clear understanding of how to get things done in government. He has served the community and province as president of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and chair of the BC Chamber of Commerce and has represented those organizations and others on provincial government task forces focused on red tape reduction and small business development.

He has also served as a director of the Kelowna Museum, the Okanagan Innovation Fund and the BC BioEnergy Network.

He has a great love of sports and had a long career in rugby including the opportunity to play for the Canadian National Rugby Team. Current interests include golf, gardening and being an ardent rugby fan.

Steve is a husband, father and grandfather. He is married to Brenda and has three children and five grandchildren.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

MLA Ralph Sultan Member for West Vancouver-Capilano

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the work that Ralph Sultan gives to his province and the man that he is to his family.  We pray for inspiration and strength for him to become all that You have created him to be.  Help him grow daily in You as You fulfill the vision You have for his life and career and the furthering of a Godly nation.  This we ask and pray in Jesus name, Amen.

Ralph Sultan was elected to the BC Legislature to represent the riding of West Vancouver-Capilano in 2001, 2005 and 2009. He has served on the Government Caucus Committee for the Economy and the Legislature's Public Accounts Committee, and the Caucus Liaison for the Ministry of Finance. Ralph previously served as the Chair for the Government Caucus Committee for the Economy and the B.C. Mining Task Force.

Ralph is an economist, educator and businessperson who also maintains registration as a professional engineer (P.Eng.). Prior to attending university, he worked as a tree faller, as a lineman on the construction of the Kemano-Kitimat transmission line, as surveyor's helper on the Lillooet and Bridge River hydroelectric projects, and was an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers permit member.

Graduating from UBC in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Ralph worked as a technical sales representative for a major international company before earning MBA, MA, and Ph.D. (Economics) degrees from Harvard University. He completed those degrees in 1965. He then served as Assistant and Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Business Administration, Harvard University, for nine years. He was then employed by The Royal Bank of Canada for almost ten years as Chief Economist; then Senior Vice President, Marketing in Montreal, and subsequently Senior Vice President, Global Energy and Minerals Group in Calgary. He was retained by the J. W. McConnell Foundation, Canada's largest philanthropic fund, as investment advisor.

In 1974 and 1975 Harvard University Press published his two-volume study of price fixing in the electrical industry.

Between 1980 and 2000, Ralph held senior officer and director positions in a variety of financial, mining, forestry and technology sector companies, and owned and operated his own investment company. In the mining sector, he was Executive Vice President of Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Company, a subsidiary of Anglo American Corporation, and was Chair of Curragh Resources in the Yukon, and held other executive positions.

In the 1990's, after returning home to British Columbia , Ralph served as President of a joint venture with a major American corporation, engaged in the development of a fibreboard mill in Williams Lake.

Ralph was the Eagle Harbour Yacht Club executive secretary and was an Augustana Lutheran Church Councilor. He was Chair of the Financial Research Foundation (1984-1985), Chair, Queen's University Business School Advisory Committee (1981-84), Economic Council of Canada member (1979-83), and Harvard Business School fundraiser (1968-1994). Ralph arranged for the endowment of a UBC professorship in mining engineering (1990) and served on Harvard's Graduate School Arts & Science Advisory Committee (1993-1996). Ralph has received academic awards, including graduation from the Harvard Business School with High Distinction, UBC's Cayley Prize, the Engineering Institute of Canada Prize, Harvard's designation as Baker Scholar and Ford Foundation designation as Fellow. Ralph is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia.

Born in 1933, Ralph was raised in a family of ten in the Mt. Pleasant District of East Vancouver. He has lived on Vancouver's North Shore since returning to B.C. His wife of 43 years, Shirley, a surgical nurse and rehabilitation clinic entrepreneur, died suddenly in 1999. He has four children and four grandchildren. He enjoys boating, skiing and gardening.





Tuesday, January 4, 2011

MLA Dr. Moira Stillwell Member for Vancouver-Langara

Dear Father, teacher and healer we bring to You this day our MLA: Hon. Dr. Moira Stilwell. We ask that You would bless her as she oversees our Province’s Advanced Education and Labour Market Development. We ask that You would give her great wisdom as she considers many good ideas to find the best strategies for her portfolio. We ask that You would bless her family and bring them health and contentment. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Dr. Moira Stilwell was appointed Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development on June 10, 2009.

Minister Stilwell was elected MLA for Vancouver-Langara in the 2009 provincial general election.

Dr. Moira Stilwell is a radiologist and nuclear medicine physician who has been working at BC Women’s Hospital for nearly a decade. Prior to being elected, Moira was Head of Nuclear Medicine at St. Paul’s Hospital, Surrey Memorial Hospital, Abbottsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Clinic. She was also the Co-Chair of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation 2020 Task Force. She previously worked at BC Women’s Hospital where she was Co-medical director of the Breast Health Program and staff radiologist. She was a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiology in the Faculty of Medicine at University of British Columbia.

She is the past Chair of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation/BC Yukon Chapter, has served on the Board of the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance, as well as on the BC Women’s Hospital Foundation Board.

In addition to her active involvement in promoting a healthy community, both as a volunteer and physician, Moira has been actively involved in her children’s schools and local community.

Moira has three grown children and currently lives in Vancouver with her husband Dr. Sam Lichtenstein

Monday, January 3, 2011

MLA Hon. Ben Stewart Westside-Kelowna Minister of Agriculture

Our prayers go out for Hon. MLA Ben Stewart, as he takes on the new portfolio as Minister of Agriculture. We give thanks for his excellent qualifications and valuable experience in this field which he will bring to this important portfolio. We pray You will bless him in his decision-making as to the innovative changes needed to be made in the future, for the good of all. Dear Lord, may You bless him with vision, guidance and grace in all he endeavours, to bring excellence to the work you have called him to do. Grant him wisdom in time management, priorities, and balancing family needs. Keep his family well and safe, and fill them with Your joy and peace .Thank You for answering our prayer, in the Name of Jesus.

Ben Stewart is currently the Minister of Community and Rural Development. His past portfolios include Ministry of Citizens' Services and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism and the Public Affairs Bureau. He was elected MLA for Westside-Kelowna on May 12, 2009.

An entrepreneur, Ben founded and built Quails’ Gate into one of Canada’s leading estate wineries.

Ben has 30 years of extensive experience serving the community and is a founding director of a Venture Capital Fund for local business development. He was on the board of the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation and has been active in the fundraising and establishment of the Brookhaven Extended Care Facility Campaign, Southern Interior Cancer Centre Campaign, and the Rotary Centre for the Arts.

Ben was chair of the BC Grape Marketing Board where they successfully negotiated with provincial and federal governments on agricultural stabilization. Additionally, he was chairman of the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee for the Thompson Okanagan, as well as a member of the Presidents Community Advisory Council at UBC Okanagan.

His other experience includes having served as the past chair of VQA Canada, where they successfully resolved a number of significant international issues such as trademark protection, international mutual recognition agreements including national wine and health standards. As vice-chair of the Canadian Vintners Association, he oversaw the establishment of new national wine association offices in Ottawa and the hiring of their first CEO.

Ben has been recognized as Business Leader of the Year in Kelowna in 1998, received the Westbank Chamber of Commerce President’s Award in 2006, and recognized as Family Business of the Year by Grant Thornton in 2007. He also received the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for Community Service. He was a Kinsman, a scout leader and a member of the Canadian Ski Patrol.

Ben lives in Westside with Ruth his wife of 30 years and has three grown children.





Sunday, January 2, 2011

MLA John Slater Member for Boundary - Simikameen

Father God we come to You humbly today to ask for blessing and gifting to be bestowed upon the member of the BC Legislature for the riding of Boundary - Simikameen. John has given of himself freely to his community in various capacities over many years. Now he has taken upon himself even greater responsibilities and we ask that You will enable and empower him to redeem the time so that he can accomplish the most good for the most people while he is yet able. May he realize that the Lord God of heaven is interested in all his activities and wants only the best for him as he carefully full fills his mandate to serve all the people all of the time. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

John Slater was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Water Supply and Allocation to the Minister of Environment on June 10, 2009. He was elected as MLA for Boundary-Similkameen on May 12, 2009. He will also be serving on the Environment and Land Use Committee.

He currently owns and operates Desert Edge Nursery, a retail/wholesale operation selling vegetable and nursery products.

John is a well-known proactive community leader in the South Okanagan having served Osoyoos for twelve years on city council and then six years as Mayor.

For nearly 30 years in Osoyoos, John has been actively involved in the community. For more than 20 years he coached youth basketball, soccer, hockey and baseball. He was a Kinsman as well as serving as Director for the Osoyoos & District Recreation Commission, Chair of the Okanagan Basin Water Board, the Osoyoos Child & Youth Committee, the Osoyoos Chamber of Commerce, the Okanagan Regional Library, the Interior Vegetable Marketing Agency & Greenhouse Growers Association, and was a Director of the BC Vegetable Marketing Commission.

Born and raised in Kelowna, John studied at the University of Victoria but soon returned to the Okanagan moving to Osoyoos in 1980. Over the years, he has owned and operated tourism and service industry businesses. He established a nursery and greenhouse business specializing in vegetable production where he became very involved in agricultural issues and organizations.