MLA: Katrine Conroy - Kootenay West

We thank You Lord for Katrine Conroy and her service to the people of the Kootenay West riding. Thank You also for her commitment to this area using her skills to the best of her ability. Prepare her for challenges she may be facing and give her wisdom throughout this next season of her life.  We ask that Your hand of provision and protection will rest on her and her family as she serves the people of British Columbia. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Katrine Conroy was elected as the MLA for Kootenay West May 12, 2009. She served as MLA for West Kootenay-Boundary from May 17, 2005 until the riding boundaries were re-drawn.

Katrine serves as opposition critic for Seniors and Long-term Care.

Katrine Conroy has been successful in both community and career endeavors. Katrine has enjoyed successful careers as one of B.C.'s first female Steam Engineers, as an Early Childhood Educator, Administrator and College Instructor, and as a small business person.

Katrine has worked and volunteered in her community as the Executive Director of Kootenay Family Place, Co-Chair of the Castlegar and District Social Planning Council, Treasurer of the Community Futures Board, Hospital Board member, and founding Board member of the Community Social Services Employers Association.

With her husband Ed, Katrine lives in Pass Creek where they run a successful ranch breeding prize winning Polled Hereford cattle. Together they have raised four children, and have five grandchildren.

MLA: Hon. Rich Coleman - Fort Langley-Aldergrove - Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Housing

Lord we bring MLA: Hon Rich Coleman to You today. We ask that You will be near him this week as he goes about his work and also in his rest times. Protect him and bless his family with good health and a joy of being together. We pray in Jesus' name.  Amen

Rich Coleman was appointed Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Housing on March 14, 2011. He was re-elected for a fourth term as MLA for Fort Langley-Aldergrove in the 2009 general election.

Rich’s previous cabinet positions include Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Minister Responsible for Housing, Minister of Housing and Social Development and Minister of Forests and Range.

Rich’s dedication and passion for public service was shaped by his parents—a father who was a civil servant and a mother who was school teacher. They taught their children that community came first, and that serving others was the noblest thing a person could commit themselves to. That community-first attitude has guided Rich his entire life.

Before entering public life, Rich was governor of the BC Kinsmen, president of the Aldergrove Chamber of Commerce, Langley’s 1988 Volunteer of the Year, and a director on several volunteer boards. As a member of the Aldergrove Kinsmen Club in the 1980s, Rich oversaw the volunteer fundraising and construction efforts that built the Aldergrove Kinsmen Community Centre, a vital community facility which houses a preschool, library, workout area, and meeting space. The Club was also involved in building a successful housing project in Aldergrove. Rich is a life member of the Kinsmen.

In recognition of his tireless and long-term work in the community, Rich has been awarded both Rotary’s top honour, the Paul Harris Fellowship, and the Kinsmen’s highest honour, the Hal Rogers Fellowship. Rich was the second person ever honoured with the Hal Rogers—the first being Kin founder Hal Rogers himself.

Rich has been elected four times (1996, 2001, 2005, and 2009) as MLA for Fort Langley-Aldergrove. He has previously served as Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, and Minister of Forests and Range. He and his wife Michele live in the Fraser Valley.

MLA: Murray Coell - Saanich North and the Islands

Dear God we lift up MLA: Murray Coell to You today. Thank You for the gifts and abilities You have given him to serve his constituency. Prepare him for the challenges he faces as well as the everyday life situations that come his way. Please bless him and those close to him with Your protection and favour in Jesus' name. Amen

 

Murray Coell was first elected to represent the riding of Saanich North and the Islands in 1996, and was re-elected in 2001, 2005 and 2009.

Previously, he has served as Minister of Environment; Minister of Labour; Minister of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development; Minister of Advanced Education and Minister Responsible for Research and Technology; Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services; and Minister of Human Resources.

Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, Coell sat on Saanich Municipal Council for 12 years, six of them as Mayor. He also chaired the Capital Regional District board, the Saanich Police board and the Capital Regional District hospital board, and was deputy chair of the Municipal Finance Authority.

Prior to his service in government, Coell was a social worker, specializing in alcohol and drug rehabilitation as well as in services to those with mental disabilities. He also owned and operated a small business.

He lives with his wife Corinne in Central Saanich.

MLA: Hon. Christy Clark - Vancouver-Point Grey - Premier and President of the Executive Council

Lord, we thank You for Premier Christy Clark and the gifts and abilities you have given to her. As she charts a new course for her government and our province, we are reminded that You hold the hearts of our leaders in Your hands. We thank you that You have a tremendous plan for our province and that You have entrusted part of that plan to our Premier. We ask that You would grant her discernment, wisdom, insight and courage as she leads British Columbia forward.

We ask that You would bless her relationships and protect those she loves. Bless her in every way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Christy Clark was sworn in as British Columbia’s 35th Premier on March 14, 2011 and was elected Vancouver-Point Grey MLA in a by-election on May 12, 2011.

She previously served as the MLA for Port Moody-Burnaby Mountain (1996-2001) and Port Moody-Westwood (2001-2005). She has served as Deputy Premier, Minister of Education, Minister of Children and Family Development and vice-chair of Treasury Board.

During her first term, she sat on the Select Standing Committee on Environment and Tourism and on the Official Opposition Caucus Committee for Children.

She took a break from government in 2005 to spend more time with her family. She worked in the media during her time from government, including as a columnist and commentator and host of the “Christy Clark Show” on CKNW.

Premier Clark brought the anti-bullying “Pink Shirt Campaign” to British Columbia to raise awareness of issues related to bullying in our schools, workplace and communities.

She has received several awards, including the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award and the 2009 Woman of the Year in BC by the Consumer Choice Awards. She attended Simon Fraser University (SFU), the Sorbonne (France) and the University of Edinburgh (Scotland, UK), studying Political Science and Religious Studies. She was born and raised in Burnaby and graduated from Burnaby South Senior Secondary.

MLA: Raj Chouhan - Burnaby-Edmonds

We pray for MLA: Raj Chouhan today. As he attends meetings and serves as an advocate for his constituents we pray that You would fill him with Your wisdom, insight and strength. Use Him today as a beacon of hope, comfort and peace for the betterment of all British Columbians. Let Your blessing rest upon his family and relationships in great measure today. Keep his loved ones safe so that he is free to focus on the responsibility to which You have called him.



Raj Chouhan was elected as the MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds on May 17, 2005 and re-elected on May 12, 2009. Raj serves as the Official Opposition Critic for Labour. Previously Raj served as critic for Human Rights, Multiculturalism and Immigration. Raj also serves as the Opposition Deputy-Whip since 2007.

Before immigrating to Canada in 1973, Raj was involved in student union activities in India. On his arrival in Canada, Raj was impacted by the plight of immigrant workers and developed a passion for community and social justice work.

Raj is the founding president of the Canadian Farmworkers' Union, and he served as the Director of Bargaining at the Hospital Employees Union for 18 years. Raj has also served as a member of the Labour Relations Board of B.C. and the Arbitration Bureau of B.C.

A founding member of the B.C. Organization to Fight Racism, Raj has worked in promoting human rights and racial equality. He has served as the Vice President of B.C. Human Rights Defenders since 2003. Raj has taught courses on Human Rights, the B.C. Labour Code and collective bargaining since 1987. He has traveled across Canada to give seminars and attend conferences that raise awareness of issues regarding racism, poverty, worker rights, and discrimination.

In addition, Raj supports many programs offered through community organizations including neighbourhood safety, refugee assistance, and health and wellness programs for seniors.

MLA: Hon. Ida Chong - Oak Bay-Gordon Head - Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development

Father, we hold MLA: Hon. Ida Chong up before You today. We ask that You give her the wisdom to meet the needs of the day. We ask that You will bless her endeavours as she works for the people of British Columbia. Lord, may You give her insights and wisdom for those that are affected by the portfolios that she holds and for those in her Constituency. Thank you for her, Lord God. We ask Your blessing in the Name of the Lord Jesus…

Ida Chong was re-elected to represent the riding Oak Bay–Gordon Head in the 2009 election. She currently serves as Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

Minister Chong’s previous cabinet portfolios include Minister of Science and Universities, Minister of Regional, Economic and Skills Development, Healthy Living and Sport, Small Business, Technology and Economic Development, Minister Responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative, Minister of Community Services, Minister of Advanced Education and Minister of State for Women’s and Seniors’ Services. In addition to her role as Minister, she also served on the Cabinet Committee for Climate Action and B.C.’s Treasury Board.

A native of greater Victoria, Minister Chong has represented her constituency of Oak Bay-Gordon Head since she first entered provincial politics in 1996. During her first term at the legislature she was the Official Opposition critic in a number of areas, including critic for Small Business and Deputy Critic of Finance.

Minister Chong has been involved in her community for years - volunteering for a number of not-for-profit groups and serving as municipal councilor for the District of Saanich, from 1993 - 1996.

For nearly 20 years, she was senior partner in an accounting practice based in Saanich, catering to small and medium sized enterprises. While no longer in active practice, she proudly retains her credentials as a Certified General Accountant, having won a number of awards for her work in this field, including being named in 2006, a Fellow of the Certified General Accountants Association of Canada, a national designation for exemplary service.

MLA: Spencer Chandra Herbert - Vancouver-West End

Father, we thank You for MLA: Spencer Chandra-Herbert. We ask Father that You would give to him clear direction and strategic ideas for the season ahead. We pray that he would walk in Your wisdom and understanding and that You would guide his every step. In Jesus’ name we pray.

Spencer Chandra Herbert was elected MLA for Vancouver-West End on May 12, 2009. He served as MLA for Vancouver – Burrard from October 29, 2008 until the riding boundaries were re-drawn.

Spencer serves as opposition critic for Tourism, Culture and the Arts.

A strong community activist, Spencer tackles issues head on. He was elected to serve as Vancouver Parks Commissioner in 2005. He was voted “Unsung Hero” by the readers of the WestEnder and one of Vancouver’s three best politicians by the readers of Georgia Straight.

Spencer's achievements include initiating the first of many fundraising drives to restore storm-damaged Stanley Park and helping improve environmental sustainability at parks throughout the city. He was instrumental in the improvements to Nelson Park in the West End, and Emery Barnes Park in Yaletown.

Spencer’s background is in the arts and culture industry. He was the associate producer of the United Nations World Urban Festival and has been a facilitator and lecturer with Better Environmentally Sound Transportation, the GLBT Centre and the B.C. Civil Liberties Association.

He's also worked actively with the Coal Harbour Residents Association, the West End Residents Association, the Stanley Park Ecology Society, the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre and the Save St. Paul's Coalition.

Born and raised in Vancouver, Spencer enjoys baseball and is a keen community gardener.

Spencer lives in the West End with partner Romi, a community developer.