MLA: Hon. Barry Penner, Q.C. - Chilliwack-Hope

 

God, we lift up Hon. Barry Penner to You and ask You to be close to him this week. Give him wisdom as he makes decisions relating to his position as Attorney General and keep him and his family safe this summer season. Thank You for giving him an opportunity to serve the people of Chilliwack and Hope and all of British Columbia. Amen

Barry Penner was confirmed as Attorney General on March 14, 2011, after initially being appointed as Attorney General in December, 2010.
 
He was first elected to represent Chilliwack in 1996, and was re-elected in the renamed riding of Chilliwack-Kent in 2001 and 2005, and then again in 2009 in the further renamed riding of Chilliwack-Hope.
 
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, serving in this role until mid-March, 2011.
 
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.