MLA: Hon. Bill Barisoff - Penticton - Speaker of the House

Gracious Father, our heart felt prayers go out to MLA: Hon. Bill Barisoff as he makes plans to leave the legislature. We give thanks for his faithfulness to the province of British Columbia over these many years. He served with excellence and distinction especially in his last position as Speaker of the House.  He  will be sadly missed by all. We are glad Your word, declares in Jeremiah 29:11, “ For I know the plans I have for you" and so we pray with confidence that You, Lord, will lead and direct his paths in all his future endeavors. We give thanks to him and also his family for their sacrifices in sharing him with the people of our province. May You bless them dear Lord, with an abundance of Your grace and love. In Jesus' name, we pray.  

Bill Barisoff was first elected Speaker on September 12, 2005, and re-elected to this position on August 25, 2009. He also served as Minister of Water, Land and Air Protection and Minister of Provincial Revenue.
Mr. Barisoff previously held a variety of critic roles for the Official Opposition, including agriculture, transportation and highways and aboriginal affairs. He served on the province's Motor Carrier Commission and was a member of the Select Standing Committees on Aboriginal Affairs and on Agriculture.
He was first elected in 1996 to represent the riding of Okanagan-Boundary and was re-elected in 2001 and in 2005 as the Member for Penticton-Okanagan Valley. In 2009 he was re-elected as the Member for Penticton.
Bill, who was born and raised in Oliver, owned a trucking firm before his election to the Legislative Assembly.
He served as a school trustee for 18 years, including eight as chair of the Southern Okanagan school board; was a volunteer firefighter in Oliver for over 25 years; and sat on the Okanagan Labour Relations Council. He was also chair of the Oliver Recreation Commission for one year.
Bill and Edna Barisoff live in Oliver. Their family includes sons Glen, his wife Hilary, and grand-son Benjamin Charles; Michael; Darren, his wife Eliza, and grand-daughters Kayla Ramos Barisoff and Allison Elizabeth Barisoff.