MLA: Hon. Mary McNeil - Vancouver-False Creek

As we pray for Hon. MLA Mary McNeill to-day, we are aware of the importance of the Minister of Children and Family Development portfolio she has been entrusted with that deals with one of our most valuable treasures of this province. We pray she will be blessed with Your Divine wisdom to help her daily in this responsible service to families as she seeks to provide wholesome environments and to discern and meet the needs of the children of this province. We pray You will give her futuristic vision as she meets the challenge of coping with this ever changing fast paced world. Bless her with courage, strength, good health and a happy heart to perform this ministry with excellence. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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 - West Vancouver-Sea to Sky

Father God, we pray today for MLA Joan McIntyre who You have entrusted with great responsibility. We ask You to help her perform her tasks and responsibilities well and lead her along by fulfilling all the needs she has. Encourage her as a person Lord and give a happy spirit to her inner soul that she may enjoy her work and be encouraged.  God we ask that You would also continue to bless her family.  In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

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 - Columbia River-Revelstoke

We lift up MLA Norm Macdonald to You, oh God, of all creation that You will be pleased to bless him in his daily work. Today’s world is full of complicated issues so we ask that You guide him in bringing good solutions forward in his position as opposition critic for Forests and Range.  Lord Jesus, please keep him in good health and with a happy spirit in his heart. May the work of his hands prosper and let all he does be of benefit to the people, blessed Lord. We pray for his family members that they will be an encouragement to him and he to them. Amen

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 Forests and Range.

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 - Vancouver-Fairview

Father God it is with sincerity that we pray for MLA Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid . Lord God, You know the needs she has as she works on issues for the people who need her leadership skills. We ask that by the power of Your Holy Spirit that You will guide and prompt her so that all that she needs will flow freely in her life and in the lives of those around her. Lord, also give her special blessings in the months ahead and encouraging words from her friends. All this we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

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.  

MLA: Norm Letnick - Kelowna-Lake Country

Jesus, we pray that You would continue to give wisdom and revelation to MLA Norm Letnick in all areas of responsibility that he carries as an MLA.  May Your hand be upon him and give him Your peace in his daily life and schedule. Even though he may be busy, we pray that You would give him Your supernatural lightness that only You can give.  May he actually feel Your presence with him and rely on Your ability to share his duties and responsibilities. Lord bless his family and give them lots of time together this summer. Amen

Norm was elected as MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country on May 12, 2009 in the provincial general election.

Norm is the Chair of the Select Standing Committee on Health and serves on the Legislative Review Committee. Previously, he was on the Select Standing Committees on Public Accounts, as well as Finance and Government Services.  He is also the President, Francophone Parliamentary Assembly, B.C. Section.

His previous community involvement includes serving on Kelowna City Council from 2005-2008, sitting on the council of St. Charles Garnier Parish, president of the Kelowna Gyro Club, and Rotary Club past president.

As a City Councilor, Norm served on the Housing Committee; the Downtown Entertainment District Task Force; the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Task Forces; as chair of the city’s Affordable and Special Needs Housing Task Force; and served on the central Okanagan on the province’s single business license implementation committee. Prior to being elected to Kelowna City Council Norm served on both the City of Kelowna’s Entertainment District Task Force and Roads Task Force.

Before moving to Kelowna, Norm lived in Banff and owned two H&R Block franchises, a Motorola dealership, and a computer store. He served on the Banff Tourism Bureau, as president of the Banff Rotary Club, secretary/treasurer of the Banff Shine Club, and was chairman of both the Banff Hospital Board and Municipal Planning Commission. Norm also served the Banff community as a city councilor, first elected in 1992 and re-elected in 1995. He was also president of the Banff Housing Corporation developing over $20 million in affordable housing.

Before being elected as MLA, Norm was a tenured Associate Professor in the business program at Okanagan University College. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a Rhodes Scholarship Nomination from the University of Calgary, a Master of Business Administration degree from Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh, and is currently working toward a Ph.D. in health economics at UBC Okanagan. His thesis focus is on the effectiveness of Divisions of Family Practice.

Norm was the 2009 recipient of the Canadian Cancer Society’s Regional Community Champion Award for his work with the Gala of Hope helping to fund raise $624,000 over three years.

He is bilingual in English and French, enjoys sports, reading, good movies and helping others reach their full potential. He and his wife Helene have three children.

MLA: John Les - Chilliwack

 
Father we thank You for MLA Jon Les. We thank You for his service to this Province. We pray that You will bless him and give him the wisdom that will allow him to accomplish much as quickly as possible. Let Your hand be with him and his family. We pray that You would also give him fresh revelation and understanding in all areas, causing increase and favor to rest upon him, his work, his constituents and his family. Amen

John Les is currently the Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier. He previously served as Parliamentary Secretary for HST Information to the Minister of Finance.

John was re-elected as MLA to represent the new riding of Chilliwack in the spring of 2009. He has also served as Solicitor General, and Minister of Small Business and Economic Development.

Mr. Les was first elected to represent the riding of Chilliwack-Sumas in 2001 and re-elected in 2005.

He served as Government Caucus Chair, and also chaired the Legislative Special Committee on the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform. Mr. Les has served on the Government Caucus Committee on Economy and Government Operations, as well as the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations. He has also been chair of the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, and was formerly a member of the Select Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills.

Before being elected to the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Les served for three years as a Chilliwack municipal councillor before he became Mayor from 1987 to 1999. During his 13 years as Mayor, he served on a number of bodies, including Chair of the Fraser Valley Regional District; Trustee of the Municipal Finance Authority of B.C.; Director of Union of BC Municipalities; and President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

In his private business career, Mr. Les was a partner in a Chilliwack dairy operation, an award-winning realtor, as well as the owner of a successful land development company

Mr. Les is an Honorary Rotarian, who was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship in recognition of his exemplary community service, by the Rotary Club of Chilliwack.

Mr. Les and his wife Mattie live in Chilliwack and have six children and 15 grandchildren.

MLA: Hon. Blair Lekstrom - Peace River South

Father we thank You for Hon. Blair Lekstrom. We thank You that he has been called to his position as Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure for such a time as this. We thank You for blessing and favor upon him and his family. We pray that You would give him wisdom and revelation as he makes decisions for his constituents. Thank You that you will give him unique ideas, plans and strategies that will cause growth and abundance. Amen

Blair Lekstrom was appointed Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure on March 14, 2011. Blair was first elected in the riding of Peace River South in 2001. He was re-elected for a third time in 2009.

Blair has previously served as Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and Minister of Community Development. Previously, Blair chaired the Legislative Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services (2001, 2002, 2005 and 2006) and served on the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the Agriculture Policy Development Committee, the Legislative Review Committee and the Government Caucus Committee on the Economy.

Before becoming an MLA, Blair served as Mayor of the City of Dawson Creek. He was first elected mayor in 1996, after serving for three years as a councillor.

Born in 1961 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Blair moved to Dawson Creek later that year and has lived there ever since. Following graduation from South Peace Secondary School, Blair started with BC Tel in 1979 and worked for the next 17 years as an installer-repairman until his election as Mayor in 1996. He was a Peace River Regional District member and served on the North Central Municipal Association executive.

Blair's previous appointments include serving as a Municipal Finance Authority board member, North Central Municipal Association president, BC Task Force on Bank Mergers member, BC Agri-Food Policy Working Group member, and Union of BC Municipalities executive member.

Blair's community involvements included: Dawson Creek & District Hospital Foundation board member, Board Member, Pouce Coupe Long-Term Care Facility as well as participation in a wide range of community groups in his capacity as Mayor of Dawson Creek.

He and wife Vicki were married in 1982. They have two children. Blair is an avid motorcyclist and enjoys working on and riding his Harley Davidson. Other hobbies include: carpentry, camping with his family, and playing baseball and hockey.