MLA: Richard T. Lee - Burnaby North

We give thanks for MLA: Richard Lee and a decade of his fruitful and steadfast service to our Province. Over the years he has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the many and varied  Cabinet Committees he has served on . Lord, continue to guide him in his current positions as Parliamentary Secretary for Asia-Pacific and as a member of the Cabinet Committee on Open Government. we pray specifically that You will grant him wisdom and discernment in his role on the Select Standing Committee on Children & Youth as they are our greatest natural resource.  We also pray for his continued good health. Grant him ample quality time with his family who sacrifice so much while he is traveling in fulfillment of his duties. May they all be abundantly blessed. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Richard T. Lee was first elected as the MLA for the riding of Burnaby North in 2001 and was re-elected in May 2005 and 2009. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Asia-Pacific on September 26, 2011.

Currently, Richard also serves as member of the Cabinet Committee on Open Government and Engagement, the Select Standing Committees on Children and Youth, Health and Legislative Initiatives.

Previously, Richard served as Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism (2011) and Parliamentary Secretary for the Asia-Pacific Initiative (2005-2011), Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Special Committee to Appoint a Merit Commissioner, and Chair of Government Caucus Asian Economic Development Committee.

He was also a member of the Cabinet Committee on Climate Action and Clean Energy, the Parliamentary Select Standing Committees on Education, Public Accounts, and Finance and Government Services, the Special Committees to Review the Police Complaint Process and to Appoint a Police Complaint Commissioner, the Government Caucus Committee on Economy and Government Operations and the GCC on Multiculturalism and Diversity.

Before being elected to the Legislature, Richard was a programmer analyst at TRIUMF, Canada's national particle research facility. In 1976 he earned a Combined Honours Bachelor of Science degree from UBC in physics and mathematics, and in 1980 a Masters of Science from UBC in Applied Mathematics. While studying, Richard worked as a research assistant from 1975 to 1977 and then as a teaching assistant from 1977 to 1979 with the Department of Mathematics at UBC. From 1979 to 1982 he worked as a programmer at TRIUMF and in 1982 became a programmer analyst. Richard attended the United States Particle Accelerator School at Berkeley in 1989 and once again in 1990 at Harvard University.

Richard's community service includes: British Columbia Heritage Language Association director; Burnaby District Parents’ Advisory Council member, Burnaby Chinese Parents Association vice-president; Burnaby Multicultural Society director; Burnaby Voters Non-Partisan Association director; and Civic Education Society director.

In 1971, Richard moved to British Columbia, where his grandfather settled in 1913. He and his wife Anne married in 1986 and have lived in Burnaby since then. They have three children.

MLA: Harry Lali - Fraser-Nicola

A wise man will hear and increase learning and a man of understanding will attain wise council.  Proverbs 1:5
God, our prayers today are for MLA: Harry Lali representing Fraser-Nicola. We pray for the health and energy he needs to fulfill the mandate given to him by the voters of his constituency. We are grateful that he has served his adoptive country well in many different disciplines over many years. We pray that he will have a long and prosperous life and that You will allow him to continue tenaciously giving of his time and treasure. Oh Lord,  give him the desires of his heart for the citizens of British Columbia.  Bless and keep his family safe and supportive of his endeavors.  We pray in the precious name of our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Harry Lali served as Minister of Transportation and Highways from February, 1998, to February, 2001. He was the longest serving NDP Highways Minister in British Columbia. Previously, Harry served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Forests from June, 1996, to February, 1998.

Harry serves as opposition critic for community and rural development.

In 1988, Harry was elected City Councillor in Merritt for one term. In 1991, Harry was elected Member of the Legislative Assembly for Yale-Lillooet, re-elected M.L.A. in 1996, and 2005. He was elected to a fourth term on May 12, 2009.

Harry is 51 years old and was born in Jullundur District, Punjab, and currently lives in Merritt. He was educated at the University of Victoria and the University of British Columbia, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and South Asia Area Studies. Harry is the founder of the group that established the Chair of Punjabi and Sikh Studies at the University of British Columbia.

Before his election to the Legislature, Harry was an Employment Counsellor for the federally-sponsored Merritt Outreach Program from 1986 – 1991. He has also worked at MOSAIC in Vancouver. Harry is a former member of the IWA Local 1-417 when he spent 11 summers working in the sawmill industry in Interior B.C. Harry is also a former co-owner of a sporting goods store.

From 2001 – 2006 Harry owned his own business that was involved in international development and technology transfer to developing countries, namely in the field of environmental technologies and power generation.

Harry and his wife, Rani, are the proud parents of two sons and one daughter.

MLA: Hon. Dr. Terry Lake - Kamloops-North Thompson - Minister of Environment

"He who follows righteousness and mercy, finds life, righteousness and honour". Proverbs 21:20

Heavenly Father You have placed us in charge of this beautiful planet You have given to us as our home.  We pray for MLA: Hon. Dr. Terry Lake, the Minister of the Environment that You will give him great insight into the troubling problems that beset Your marvelous creation and direct him to solutions for the environmental issues we face today.  Heavenly Father,  we know that You love this world and individuals like MLA Lake and others of like mind and pray Your divine guidance for them. Energize him and grant him wisdom, patience, understanding and insight into Your laws that govern the natural world. We pray this in the name of Your beloved son, Jesus. Amen.

Terry Lake is MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson and Minister of Environment.

Previously, he was the Parliamentary Secretary for Health Promotion to the Minister of Health Services. He also served as Parliamentary Secretary for the Ranching Task Force to the Minister of Agriculture and Lands. He was elected MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson on May 12, 2009.

Terry also served on Selecting Standing Committees on Aboriginal Affairs, Health, and Legislative Initiatives. He was also a member of the Early Childhood Education Innovations Committee.

A veterinarian by profession, Terry served as the Mayor of the City of Kamloops from 2005-2008 and as a city councillor from 2002-2005, a time when Kamloops reached record employment and construction, and was recognized for service to residents by the National Quality Institute.

Terry is a recipient of the BC Veterinary Medical Association Award of Merit for service to the profession and has served as Vice President of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association and Vice President of the Union of BC Municipalities. He was a member of the BC Transit Board of Directors for three years when transit service increased dramatically in Kamloops.

Community service has long been a part of Terry’s life whether serving as president of the Coquitlam Rotary Club in the 1990s or as president of the Kamloops Recreational Soccer League. One of his most rewarding experiences was traveling with Developing World Connections to Tangalle, Sri Lanka in 2008 to assist with tsunami relief.

Terry and his wife Lisa have three daughters, a dog and a cat.

MLA: Jenny Wai Ching Kwan - Vancouver-Mount Pleasant

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be moved and the mountains be cast into the midst of the sea." Psalm 46:1

Lord, MLA: Jenny Kwan has many firsts to her name and has served her adopted country with courage and tenacity over many years. We ask that You continue blessing her endeavors that are aimed at improving the lot of our citizens and in particular those that are less fortunate.  May she continue to bring to the legislature the skills and passion she has demonstrated over the past years. Encourage her heart and may she know that she is making a valuable contribution while serving in opposition.  Bless and keep her family well and happy.  In Jesus' blessed name we pray. Amen.

Jenny Kwan was first elected as the MLA for Vancouver - Mount Pleasant in 1996, becoming one of the first Chinese-Canadians to sit in BC's Legislative Assembly and the first Chinese Canadian Cabinet Minister in the history of B.C. She was re-elected in 2001, 2005 and again on May 12, 2009.

Jenny serves as opposition critic for Jobs, Economic Development and Trade.

Born in Hong Kong, Jenny Wai Ching Kwan immigrated to Canada with her family when she was nine years old.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Criminology) from Simon Fraser University. Jenny began working as a community legal advocate in the Downtown Eastside shortly after graduation.

Jenny was elected to Vancouver City Council in 1993 --becoming the youngest councillor in Vancouver’s history -- and served for three years as the sole representative of Vancouver's progressive municipal political party, COPE.

In 1998 Jenny was appointed Minister of Municipal Affairs, becoming BC's first Chinese-Canadian cabinet minister. Jenny also served as Minister of Women's Equality and Minister of Community Development, Cooperatives and Volunteers and was the provincial government’s lead person in developing the Vancouver Agreement.

Jenny is married and lives in East Vancouver with her husband, daughter, son and stepson.

MLA: Kevin Krueger - Kamloops-South Thompson

Heavenly Father, we lift up MLA: Kevin Krueger to You with thanksgiving. Thank You for his commitment to serve the people of British Columbia. Bless him with strength and energy as he travels throughout the Kamloops-South Thompson area and back and forth to Victoria. Give him eyes to see and ears to listen as the people he meets each day bring him their concerns and problems. Continue to give him a vision for the work that he does. Be with his family and bless and protect them. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Kevin Krueger is MLA for Kamloops-South Thompson and also serves on the Cabinet Committee on Open Government and Engagement.

Kevin Krueger was re-elected as MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson in 2009 after being elected in 1996 and re-elected in 2001, 2005, and 2009.

Previously, he has served as the Minister of Social Development, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. Prior to the 2009 election, he served as Minister of Community Development and Minister of Small Business and Revenue and Minister Responsible for Regulatory Reform and Minister of State for Mining.

While in Opposition, Kevin served as the BC Liberal Critic for Labour. He was Caucus Whip as well as a member of the Select Standing Committee on Education. Kevin was named to the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Selection and the Special Committee for the Citizen’s Assembly on Electoral Reform. He was also a member of the Legislative Assembly Management Committee. He previously was a member of the Small Scale Salvage Committee.

Before becoming an MLA, Kevin worked with the Insurance Corporation of BC for 20 years, and at the time of his departure was a road safety regional manager.

His community work includes the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce, Kamloops Community Counterattack Committee, Rotary Club past-president, coordinator with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and secretary of the Protocol Committee for the 1993 Canada Summer Games. He arranged the twinning of the Rotary Clubs of Kamloops and Uji, Japan. He is a former board member, executive councillor and shop steward of the Office and Technical Employees Union, Local 378. He was a director of the Prince George & District Credit Union.

Kevin and his wife Debbie, a school teacher, have six children, including two daughters-in-law and a son-in-law. They are the proud grandparents of seven children.

MLA: Leonard Krog - Nanaimo

Lord, it is a privilege to bring our MLA's before You in prayer. Today, we lift up MLA: Leonard Krog to You with gratitude. Thank You for his service to the people of Nanaimo and the Province of British Columbia.  Give him wisdom in his important role as critic for the Attorney General. Guide,  protect and bless him with good health. Be with his family, we pray, and may the times that they are together be filled with joy. Grant him safety as he travels throughout his constituency and back and forth to Victoria. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Leonard Krog was re-elected as the MLA for Nanaimo on May 12, 2009.

Leonard serves as opposition critic for the Attorney General.

Born in Nanaimo and raised in Coombs, Leonard served as MLA for Parksville-Qualicum from 1991 to 1996.

Since 1980, Leonard has been a practicing lawyer in a Nanaimo law firm, most recently with his wife Sharon.

In addition, Leonard has served as the director and president of the Mid-Island Consumer Services Co-operative, chair of the United Way for Nanaimo and District, director of the Nanaimo City Centre Association, president of the Nanaimo City Bar Association, director and president of the Planned Parenthood Association's Nanaimo Branch, a member and supporter of Amnesty International and Lawyers for Social Responsibility.

Leonard and his wife Sharon live in Nanaimo. They have two children, Jessica and Parker, and two grandchildren, Portia and Archer.

MLA: Maurine Karagianis - Esquimalt-Royal Roads

Father, the people of British Columbia are blessed to have people such as MLA: Maurine Karagianis serve in her role as MLA and in the official opposition. We thank You for her and pray that You will grant her wisdom and bless her with favour as she works to promote the issues that are important to her and her constituents. Renew her energy each day and refresh the vision that brought her to this role. Grant her good health and abundant energy for the many tasks that face her each day. In Jesus name, Amen.

Maurine Karagianis was elected MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin on May 17, 2005, and re-elected to the reconfigured riding of Esquimalt-Royal Roads on May 12, 2009.

Maurine serves as official opposition caucus Whip and Liquor Distribution Branch critic.

She was elected to Esquimalt Council in 1996. Serving for three terms, Maurine helped create and chaired the CRD Arts Committee, and by working to save the Matson Gary Oak meadow in the Inner Harbour and daylighting the Gorge Creek helped enrich green space and renew bird habitat in Esquimalt.

A long-standing Director of the Veins of Life Watershed Society, Maurine has worked in support of environmental stewardship for the Gorge Waterway and watershed protection in the Capital Region.

She worked in the fashion industry for over 15 years, in retail, wholesale and import/export, and also spent more than a decade working in the communications industry for the tourism market and international motorcycle industry.

Maurine ran a consulting firm that worked with non-profit organizations and First Nations communities to create affordable housing. Her career has also included working for the provincial Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Social Services.

A proud mother and grandmother, Maurine lives with her partner in Esquimalt.