MLA: Gary Coons - North Coast

Father God, we thank You for the dedicated and committed men and women of our legislature. Today,  we are especially grateful for MLA: Gary Coons. We pray that You would continue to bless and encourage him for his many years of public service to the citizens of British Columbia and more specifically to those of the North Coast. Renew his strength, vigor and vision for those things that You are calling him to fulfill. May You also lead him into relationships and strategies that will aid him in accomplishing Your will for our province. Protect and watch over his family when he is away from them traveling the province. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Gary Coons was re-elected as the MLA for the North Coast on May 12, 2009. He was first elected to the Legislature on May 17, 2005.

Gary serves as opposition critic for B.C. Ferries and Coastal Communities.

During his first term Gary served on the Special Committee for Sustainable Aquaculture and the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs. He currently is a member of the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations.

Before entering politics Gary was an educator in the Prince Rupert School District for 27 years. He taught Mathematics/Special Education. It was during his time as a teacher and union activist that Gary first start down the path to political involvement.

An avid sportsman, Gary enjoys coaching, playing racquet sports and taking advantage of the many outdoor activities that the north coast has to offer.

Gary is married to Lois Elliot and together they have two daughters, Breton and Hannah.

MLA: Katrine Conroy - Kootenay West

 
Thank You for MLA: Katrine Conroy and her willingness to serve the people in the Kootenay West district.  May she sense Your hand of protection on her. We pray You would help her to use the gifts and talents You have given her to effectively administer and facilitate in meetings she attends and overcome any challenges she may face.  Please surround her with Your protection and care and bless her family and those close to her we pray.  In Jesus' name, 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, Mines and Natural Gas and Minister Responsible for Housing and Deputy Premier

 
Father we bring MLA: Hon. Rich Coleman before You today and ask that You will bless him with strength and energy as he goes about his day.  Give him creative strategies to solve issues that he faces and challenges that come his way.  As he serves his riding of Fort Langley-Aldergrove, keep him safe in his travels and watch over his family.  We pray You will bless and encourage Minister Rich Coleman today in a very special way.  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

 
God thank You for MLA: Murray Coell and his commitment to serving the riding of Saanich North and the Islands.  We appreciate the many long hours, time and energy that the people who serve in our legislature give. Bless Murray and his family in this fall season.  Give him quality time with the people he is close to and keep him safe as he travels. Thank You for hearing our prayers God. 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 God Almighty, we call on Your righteous power to be a help and a guide to the MLA: Hon. Christy Clark in her role as Premier of our wonderful province of British Columbia. Dear Lord, please give  her Your strength, wisdom, and encouragement in all her endeavors. Leaders play a very important and vital role in our society and we thank You Lord God for her commitment in this area. May You also provide her with good advisers and close friends and colleagues who will support and encourage her. Bless and keep her and give her the physical strength and mental alertness she requires to make all the decisions she must make. May You continue to keep her and her family members in good health. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ Our Lord.  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

Dear Lord Jesus, please hear our prayer for MLA: Raj Chouhan. We thank You that he is a part of upholding the quality of life we all enjoy here in British Columbia.  We ask that You will minister to his soul each day as he addresses the issues that are before him.  Lord, we pray that You will give him strength and confidence as he strides forward each day into this busy world and Your supernatural peace to his inner being. Give him loving relationships in his life to encourage him in the midst of carrying out all of his responsibilities.  Lord, may You also give him  holy angels that surround and protect him from any and all harm. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, the Lord. Amen.

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 Multiculturalism, Immigration and Human Rights. Previously Raj served as critic for Labour. 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 Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation

Today, we look to You Lord God Almighty as we are praying for MLA: Hon. Ida Chong.  We may not know her personally but You, Lord God, care very deeply about her and everything she does. We pray You will give her the guidance she needs in these fast moving days of 2012. May she be an agent for her riding of Oak Bay-Gordon Head that has put their trust in her to lead them. Please continue to give her confidence as she speaks and quick understanding in her new role as Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.  Lord God You also have given strength to leaders in the past by guiding them through both the good times and any hard times. We pray You would do this for Minister Chong. We pray all this in the name of Jesus Christ, The Lord Almighty. Amen.

Ida Chong was re-elected to represent the riding Oak Bay–Gordon Head in the 2009 election. She currently serves as Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.

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.