Wednesday, March 9, 2011

MLA Dave S.Hayer Member for Surrey-Tynehead

God of peace and reconciliation, we lift up to You our MLA, Dave S. Hayer, who stands in the place between two people groups and seeks peace. We thank You for his dedication and we ask that You give him wisdom and direction in every step he takes. Please keep Your great hand over Dave and his family to bless them with good health and hope for the future as they continue to serve You.

Dave S. Hayer was first elected to the BC Legislature as MLA for the riding of Surrey-Tynehead in the 2001 provincial general election and was re-elected in 2005 and 2009.

Dave was reappointed as Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism on June 10, 2009. In this role, he works closely with the Hon. Ida Chong Minister of Science and Universities and Minister of Regional Economic and Skills Development who is responsible for the Provincial Nominee Program.

Dave previously worked with the Hon. Moira Stillwell when she was Minister of Regional Economic and Skills Development. portfolio.

Dave also worked with the Hon. Mary McNeil when she was the Minister of Citizens' Services and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism and the Public Affairs Bureau, portfolio as well as with the Hon. Ben Stewart when he was Minister of Citizens’ Services and Multiculturalism. Dave is also a member of the Cabinet Committee on Economy, the Select Standing Committees on Health, Education and Legislative Initiatives as well as helping as Chair of the Committee of Supply.

In January 2007, Dave received a prestigious award from the Government of India. The Pravasi Bharatia Samman Award is annually given to people of Indian heritage, no longer living in India, who have achieved excellence in their chosen fields of endeavour. Dave was presented with the award for his "active leadership in the community, his contributions to public service and for his achievements in government". At the presentation ceremony, Dave was described as a "great friend of India and has been a strong voice in the Indo-Canadian community against terrorism and violence". He was the only Canadian among 15 people from other countries to be given the Pravasi Bharatia Samman Award this year. Dave is only the second Canadian to be presented with this honour. Dave received his award from Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, President of India, at a ceremony in New Delhi, India on January 9, 2007. In 2008 Dave was selected by the Vancouver Sun as one of the 100 top most influential Canadians of South Asian descent making a difference in BC.





Tuesday, March 8, 2011

MLA Hon. Randy Hawes Abbotsford-Mission Minister of State for Mining

Thank You Lord for Hon. Randy Hawes  work for the people of BC.  We pray his efforts will have a positive impact on his constituents and colleagues.  May he recognize sound plans and ideas and engage in activities that are excellent and of real value.  Bless his children and grandchildren; may love and faithfulness never leave them, and may they win favor and a good name with all people.

Randy Hawes was re-elected as MLA to represent the new riding of Abbotsford-Mission in the spring of 2009.

Randy was first elected as MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission in 2001 and was re-elected in the May 2005 provincial general election.

Randy was appointed the Minister of State for Mining in June 2009.

Randy has served as Chief Government Whip as appointed by Premier Gordon Campbell, he has chaired the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Service, Chair of the Government Committee on Health, and has been a member of the Legislative Assembly's Select Standing Committee on Health. In addition, he serves on the Legislative Assembly's Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the Special Committee to Select a Merit Commissioner and chairs the Burrard Thermal Options Committee. Formerly, Randy was Chair of the Special Committee to Appoint a Chief Electoral Officer, and served on the Government Caucus Committee on Communities and Safety and the Small-Scale Salvage Review committee.

Before becoming an MLA, Randy was in his third term as Mayor of the District of Mission. Randy was also Chair of the Fraser Valley Regional District, a member of the Fraser Valley Treaty Advisory Committee for four years, a four-year member of the James Sewer Treatment Plant Board, and a seven-year member (four as Chair) of the Fraser Valley Water Commission.

Randy started as a loans officer with the Toronto Dominion Bank in 1972 and worked as manager in a variety of locations throughout BC and the Yukon. Because he wanted to stay in Mission, Randy left the TD bank in 1986 to pursue a career in real estate and property development. Randy was elected to a one-year term as a District of Mission councillor in 1987 and became mayor in 1993.

Randy has been an active participant in many aspects of his constituency, including serving for two years on the Mission Community Health Council, five years on the District of Mission Justice Council, and three years on the Ferndale Penitentiary Citizens' Advisory Committee. Randy served as director of the Fraser House, a drug and alcohol treatment facility, was an honourary member of the Royal Canadian Legion's Branch 57, and is a member of the Mission Rotary Club. He also coached minor hockey for 15 years and minor baseball for 10 years in Mission.

Born in Edmonton in 1947, Randy and Alma married in 1969 and moved to Mission in 1979; they have three children and nine grandchildren. Randy's passions are playing golf, reading, and spending time with his grandchildren.





Monday, March 7, 2011

MLA Hon. Colin Hansen Vancouver-Quilchena Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for Small Business and Deputy Premier Minister of Health Services

We thank You God for Hon. Colin Hansen the MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena who is serving as Minister of Finance and Minister Responsible for Small Business and as Deputy Premier and as Minister of Health Services.  We ask God that You will add strength of body, mind and spirit to this chosen vessel of Yours who is giving of himself to the people of BC in so many ways.  We ask God that You bless him with clarity of vision and a strong sense of purpose and honesty while he continues to serve the people.  Please bless him Lord abundantly.  In Jesus name we pray, amen.

Colin Hansen was re-appointed Minister of Finance and appointed Deputy Premier on June 10, 2009. He previously served as Minister of Economic Development (June 16, 2005 to June 23, 2008), Minister of Health Services (June 5, 2001 to December 14, 2004) and a previous appointment as Minister of Finance (December 15, 2004 to June 15, 2005).

He was first elected in 1996 to represent the electoral district of Vancouver-Quilchena and was re-elected in 2001, 2005 and 2009.

Colin served as health critic for the Official Opposition, as well as the critic for Employment and Investment, and for Labour. He sat on the Select Standing Committees on Crown Corporations and on Economic Development, Science, Labour, Training and Technology.

He also sat on the Official Opposition Caucus Committees on Health and Economy.

Colin received his bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Victoria in 1975. Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, he and his wife Laura owned and operated a small business they established in 1988. Prior to that, he was vice-president of finance and administration for the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.

Colin served as a director of the Vancouver-Yokohama Sister City Society and chair of the Vancouver Museum board of trustees. Colin and Laura Hansen have two children and live in the Dunbar area of Vancouver-Quilchena.









Sunday, March 6, 2011

MLA Sue Hammell Member for Surrey-Green Timbers

Dear Lord, we pray today for MLA Sue Hammel. We take this opportunity to ask Your blessing on Sue, her husband and family.  We thank You for her many years of service to the people of British Columbia.  Grant her strength and wisdom in these changing times as she continues to serve her constituency of Surrey-Green Timbers, and in her role as Deputy Opposition Critic for Health Services.  In Jesus'name we pray. Amen.

Sue Hammell was re-elected as the MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers on May 12, 2009. She was first elected in 1991, and re-elected in both 1996 and 2005.

Sue serves as opposition critic for Health Services.

Sue has served in a number of cabinet positions during her political career, including Minister of Housing, Recreation and Consumer Services, Minister Responsible for Co-operatives, and the Minister for Women's Equality. In addition, she was Government Caucus Chair and was active on several legislative committees.

Sue is also a founding member of the Minerva Foundation for BC Women, initiated in 1999 to provide funds for projects that will assist women to realize their potential and to create a safe place for them to live and work in British Columbia.

Sue has been working with Washington BC based National Democratic Institute since 2000. With NDI she traveled to the Middle East five times to work with emerging political parties and female candidates.

In 2002 Sue worked with the Surrey Aboriginal Society as their Executive Director. She developed the Society into a modern urban centre for aboriginal people with an annual budget of over 2 million dollars.

Born in Vancouver, Sue was raised on Sea Island in Richmond. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of British Columbia, she taught in Verdun, Quebec, in Courtenay and Surrey.

Sue is married and has one grown daughter, Sage. Sue and her husband John have lived in the Surrey Green Timbers area since 1990.





Thursday, March 3, 2011

MLA Guy Genter Member for Delta North

We thank You Lord for a Public Servant with a heart for Your creation.  We ask that You enable the Rt. Hon Gentner to have time with his many other responsibilites to continue to do Your work in this area.  Give him support from his constituents, his family and his colleagues to work according to Your purpose in this province.  Bless him with health, restful nights, energy to spare and congenial relationships to make his day joyful in Your service.  Bless his family with Your peace and protection, in Jesus precious Name.

Guy Gentner was re-elected as the MLA for Delta North on May 12, 2009. He was first elected to the Legislature May 17, 2005.

Guy serves as opposition critic for Intergovernmental Relations.

Guy Gentner served as a Delta Councillor from 1999 to 2005. As chair of the Delta Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission, Guy re-organized the department to include a significant capitalization program for parks, recreation and the arts.

Guy’s efforts as chair of the commission were instrumental in the delivery of an enhanced Sun God Aquatic Centre, Mackie Park Artificial Turf Field, improvements to the Watershed Park and the new Fire Hall Centre for the Arts.

Guy also chaired Delta’s Planning and Environment Committee and Traffic and Safety Committee and served on many municipal committees including Finance, Foreshore and Harbours, Tour de Delta, and the GVRD’s Parks Committee. Guy’s community involvement consists of Delta’s Heritage Advisory Commission, Delta’s Board of Variance and the Delta Arts Council.

Guy helped form the North Delta/Newton Public Hospital Society, and is also a past president of the North Delta Ratepayers Association and former vice-president of the Burns Bog Conservation Society.

Through the mayor’s bog task force, Guy contributed to the negotiating process that helped public purchase of Burns Bog.

Guy graduated from Simon Fraser University, drove a bus for many years, fly fishes and is an advocate for outdoor recreation.









Wednesday, March 2, 2011

MLA Scott Fraser Member for Alberni-Pacific Rim

Dearest Heavenly Father, thank You for the unique experiences and perspectives that Scott Fraser brings to his role as Opposition Critic for Community and Rural Development and as MLA for Alberni-Pacific Rim. May You draw on these experiences and perspectives to bring fresh insight and a renewed sense of purpose to all that he is called to be involved with. May the various skills and abilities he possesses be used and directed for greatest impact and effectiveness. Reward him with the evidence that he is making a difference, that he would be refreshed in spirit to continue on in his service.

Scott Fraser was elected as the MLA for Alberni-Pacific Rim on May 12, 2009. He served as MLA for Alberni-Qualicum from May 17, 2005 until the riding boundaries were re-drawn.

Scott serves as opposition critic for Community and Rural Development.

From 1996 to 1999 Scott served as the mayor of the District of Tofino and was involved in the creation of the first UNESCO World Biosphere designation in British Columbia.

Scott has also served on many organizations, including Alberni Clayoquot Regional District Board, Vancouver Island Regional Library Board, Clayoquot Sound Central Region Board, Tourism British Columbia, Vancouver Island Health Board, Tofino/Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, treaty advisory committees, fisheries committees and the Family Court Committee.

Scott was born in Ottawa, Ontario and has been a resident of BC since 1980. His background includes small business, labour, harbour management, fisheries and shellfish aquaculture.

Scott lived in Tofino with his wife and daughter for over 12 years. They now live in the Qualicum Beach area.























Tuesday, March 1, 2011

MLA Eric Foster Member for Vernon-Monashee

Creator God, who made us stewards of the beautiful land we call British Columbia, we lift up to You Your servant, Eric Foster. We ask that You will bless him as he serves in justice and generosity of spirit. We ask
You to make him a blessing to the land and the people. Please watch over and keep Eric and his family, and give them health and contentment.

Eric Foster was elected on May 12, 2009 as MLA for Vernon-Monashee in the general provincial election.

Eric served as the Mayor of the Village of Lumby for four years prior to his election as MLA, councillor for the Village of Lumby for 12 years and as a director of the North Okanagan Regional District.

He is a registered forest technician and for eight years served as a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Auxiliary, as well as a director of the North Okanagan Community Futures Development Corporation.

Eric and his wife Janice have been volunteering, working and living in the North Okanagan for more than 20 years.

Eric is a great supporter of sports, the outdoors, his community, arts and culture.