Hon. Barry Penner, Q.C. Attorney General and Member for Chilliwack Hope

As we join together in prayer for MLA.Barry Penner this morning , we give grateful thanks for the many years of faithful service to the people of BC. He has served in a number of portfolios during this time, with diligence and expertise, making a difference for the good of his constituents, and our province.



As he takes on his portfolio as Attorney General, we ask for Your divine guidance and wisdom to be evident , as in the past. Give him clear vision to execute with justice and fairness in all You give him to do.


We note the support, knowledge and experience he offers to his colleagues so unselfishly. May abundant blessings be his and for his family. as he continues to gives so much of himself to others. In Jesus Mighty Name we pray. Amen.

Barry Penner was named Attorney General on March 14, 2011. He 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 and fulfilled this role until October, 2010. He was the longest serving Environment Minister in BC history, and by late 2009 was the longest serving Environment Minister in Canada.

Mr. Penner was appointed Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation in October 2010. In addition, he took on the role of Attorney General for BC on December 1, 2010.

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.

MLA Michelle Mungall - Nelson-Creston

Father we thank you for the heart of service that you have placed within MLA Michelle Mungall.  We ask that you would bless her in all that she is working in and on. We ask that you would give her revelation, wisdom and understand in the areas that she oversees. May she walk in ease through this next season.

At the age of 31 years-old, Michelle became the first woman elected as MLA in Nelson-Creston. Seven years earlier, in 2002, she set another record as the youngest person ever elected to Nelson City Council.

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

Her university studies and her career in community development eventually brought her to Zambia, where she worked to better the lives of girls with HIV/AIDS. Michelle served as Nelson City Councillor (2002-2005); Community Coordinator, Nelson Committee on Homelessness; National Programs Assistant, YWCA Zambia; and managed the Nelson food security and micro-finance non-profit organizations.

Michelle holds a BA (Honours) in Political Science from University of Alberta and a MA in Human Security and Peacebuilding from Royal Roads University.

She was the 2008 Recipient of the National Social Sciences Humanities Research Council Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship and is bilingual in English and French.

Michelle and her partner Zak reside in their Nelson home. They enjoy skiing, hiking, local arts and being active in the region.

MLA Hon. Don McRae Comox Valley Minister of Agriculture

Thank You Lord for MLA Don McRae and his riding of Comox Valley.  We join our prayers today and give thanks for the new position he has been given as the Minister of Agriculture. We ask for wisdom and discernment to guide him, for courage and grace that he may walk through open doors, and integrity of heart to see a righteous government arise. We ask for your hand of protection to be upon Don McRae and his family, and the richest of blessings. In Jesus Name we pray.

Don McRae was elected on May 12, 2009 as MLA for the riding of Comox Valley. On March 14, 2011 he was named Minister of Agriculture.


Don has served as Convener of the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and was a member of the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth, the Select Standing Committee on Health and the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services.


Don was born and raised in the Comox Valley. For the past 14 years he has taught at GP Vanier Secondary School. Aside from teaching Social Studies, Military History, and Psychology, he has also served as a rugby coach, athletic director, department chair, and Staff Leadership Committee Chair.


Don has served as a Courtenay City Councillor for the past seven years. During his time on council, he has served as a municipal director for both the Comox Strathcona Regional District and the newly restructured Comox Valley Regional District. He has also been a member of the Comox Strathcona Hospital Board, vice-chair of the Comox Valley Sewer and Water Committees and numerous community organizations and boards. In 2008, he was also appointed by Premier Campbell to the Citizen’s Conservation Council.


He is an avid jogger and enjoys hiking and fly fishing. Don has been married to his wife Deanne for 14 years and they have two daughters, Gracie and Chloe.

MLA Hon Mary McNeil Vancouver-False Creek Minister of Children and Family Development

Thank You Lord for MLA Mary McNeil and how she has served her constituents in various capacities.  Thank You for giving Mary the opportunity to be placed in as the Minister of Children and Family Development.  Equip her with all she needs for this very important role.  May she feel Your love and support today.

Minister Mary McNeil was appointed Minister for Children and Family Development on March 14, 2011. Before that, she served as Minister of Citizen Services from June 11, 2010 to March 14, 2011. She previously served as Minister of State for The Olympics and Actnow BC.

Minister McNeil was elected MLA for Vancouver-False Creek in the 2009 general provincial election.


Most recently, Mary served as president and CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation for eight years. She has served in key roles for international economic events including the G7 meetings in Halifax and Toronto, APEC in Vancouver and the XI international conference on AIDS. Mary has also served on the Vancouver Police Board for four years.


Mary was born and educated in Vancouver and has lived in Yaletown for 11 years with her husband of 38 years, Rod. She has raised four daughters and currently has eleven grandchildren.

MLA Joan McIntyre Member for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky

Dear Lord, we are mindful this morning of the years of faithful service , Joan has put in for the people of her riding . We pray You will grant her continued favour as she faithfully contends to bring positive and good changes to her constituents, in West Vancouver. May she seek Your approval in all she sets her mind to accomplish in the months ahead . May her goals and purposes be clear . Grant her the wisdom & insight to achieve them.We pray You will keep Joan and her family , safe , well and secure and may all be blessed with health and happiness .

Joan McIntyre was first elected in the riding of West Vancouver-Garibaldi in the 2005 provincial general election and re-elected in the riding of West Vancouver-Sea to Sky in 2009.

She currently serves on the Cabinet Committee for Families First. Prior to that, she served on the Agenda and Priorities Cabinet Committee, the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth (which she chaired), and the Select Standing Committees on Crown Corporations and Public Accounts, respectively, the latter of which she previously deputy-chaired. She served as Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations from June 2008 to June 2009.

In 1980, Joan co-founded the well-known BC polling firm of McIntyre & Mustel Research Associates Ltd. She sold her interest in 1996 to work independently concentrating more on the qualitative side of the research business and she worked in this field until 2005 when first elected.

An avid skier and sailor, Joan takes full advantage of living in one of the healthiest and active ridings in Canada.

MLA Norm Macdonald Member for Columbia River - Revelstoke

We lift up MLA Norm MacDonald today and give thanks for his position as Opposition Critic in the area of  Forest and Range and Integrated Land Management. We pray that he will be able to apply his gift of teaching as pertinent information is brought to the forefront, and as there is need for explanations pertaining to these large areas of responsibility. Place into Norm’s  hands all the resources that will help him to do the best job possible. Keep him healthy and watch over him, we ask in Jesus’ Name.

Norm Macdonald was re-elected as the MLA for Columbia River-Revelstoke on May 12, 2009. He was first elected to the Legislature in 2005.

Norm serves as opposition critic for Forest and Range and Integrated Land Management.

Recently the principal of Nicholson Elementary School, Norm has taught for more than 15 years in the Columbia Valley.

He has a further six years experience teaching in Africa.

Norm served as a Councillor and was then elected Mayor of Golden in 1996.

Norm Macdonald lives in Golden with his wife Karen and two teenage daughters.

MLA Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid Member for Vancouver-Fairview

Heavenly Father:  As MLA Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid comes into each day, help her to find the right path. As her constituents call on her for support and advice, help her to find clarity easily. As she looks back on her working day, may she see her efforts as valued and appreciated.  Amen.

Margaret was elected MLA for Vancouver-Fairview in the 2009 general provincial election. She was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors to the Minister of Health on March 14, 2011. She also serves as Vice Chair on the Cabinet Committee for Families First.

Margaret was appointed Minister of Tourism, Trade and Investment and Minister responsible for Intergovernmental Relations on October 25, 2010. She previously served as Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Early Learning and Literacy from June, 2009 to October, 2010.

Margaret has been a family physician for 23 years. She served on the board of the BC Medical Association for 12 years and was president in 2006-2007. The BCMA is a voluntary association of 11,000 members comprised of British Columbia's physicians, medical residents, and medical students. During her time with the BCMA, Margaret met with key leaders from government and other organizations.

Margaret experienced the health care system as a patient after an early diagnosis of breast cancer in 2007. She received treatment and has fully recovered.

Originally from Saskatchewan, Margaret and her husband Robert moved to Rossland, BC in 1989. Since the mid-1990s, both Robert’s and Margaret’s work brought them more frequently to Vancouver, where ultimately they decided to settle. Margaret enjoys golf, bridge, playing piano, kayaking and treasures the time she spends with family and friends.