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.

MLA: Michelle Mungall - Nelson-Creston

We truly thank You today Lord for MLA Michelle Mungall. She is a young, bright and vibrant woman and we appreciate her willingness to serve in the legislature. She has excelled not only in her university studies but also in the compassionate work she has been involved in to make this a better world to live in by helping the less fortunate. We pray Lord You will bless her work in the legislature and in her riding of Nelson-Creston. May she inspire and give courage to the youth of British Columbia by her example. Fill her with Your love and grace and keep her in Your perfect peace. In Jesus precious Name we pray.

At the age of 31 years-old, Michelle became the first woman elected as MLA in Nelson-Creston. Seven years earlier, in 2002, she set another record as the youngest person ever elected to Nelson City Council.

Michelle serves as opposition critic for Advanced Education, Youth and Labour Market Development.

Her university studies and her career in community development eventually brought her to Zambia, where she worked to better the lives of girls with HIV/AIDS. Michelle served as Nelson City Councillor (2002-2005); Community Coordinator, Nelson Committee on Homelessness; National Programs Assistant, YWCA Zambia; and managed the Nelson food security and micro-finance non-profit organizations.

Michelle holds a BA (Honours) in Political Science from University of Alberta and a MA in Human Security and Peacebuilding from Royal Roads University.

She was the 2008 Recipient of the National Social Sciences Humanities Research Council Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship and is bilingual in English and French.

Michelle and her partner Zak reside in their Nelson home. They enjoy skiing, hiking, local arts and being active in the region.

MLA: Hon. Don McRae - Comox Valley

May the blessing of Your grace and love rest on MLA Don McRae today as he works diligently as Minister of Agriculture and for his constituents in the Comox Valley. Being born and raised in the Comox valley, his interest and expertise has already been felt in this area as a teacher, coach, athletic director, and as a councillor .Now, as their MLA, we pray he will know Your wisdom, leading and direction as he seeks to bring innovative, good and positive changes to this part of the island he cares so deeply for. In Jesus’ name . Amen

Don McRae was elected on May 12, 2009 as MLA for the riding of Comox Valley. On March 14, 2011 he was named Minister of Agriculture.

Don has served as Convener of the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and was a member of the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth, the Select Standing Committee on Health and the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services.

Don was born and raised in the Comox Valley. For the past 14 years he has taught at GP Vanier Secondary School.  Aside from teaching Social Studies, Military History, and Psychology, he has also served as a rugby coach, athletic director, department chair, and Staff Leadership Committee Chair.

Don has served as a Courtenay City Councillor for the past seven years.  During his time on council, he has served as a municipal director for both the Comox Strathcona Regional District and the newly restructured Comox Valley Regional District.  He has also been a member of the Comox Strathcona Hospital Board, vice-chair of the Comox Valley Sewer and Water Committees and numerous community organizations and boards.  In 2008, he was also appointed by Premier Campbell to the Citizen’s Conservation Council.

He is an avid jogger and enjoys hiking and fly fishing. Don has been married to his wife Deanne for 14 years and they have two daughters, Gracie and Chloe.

MLA: Hon. Mary McNeil - Vancouver-False Creek

As we pray for Hon. MLA Mary McNeill to-day, we are aware of the importance of the Minister of Children and Family Development portfolio she has been entrusted with that deals with one of our most valuable treasures of this province. We pray she will be blessed with Your Divine wisdom to help her daily in this responsible service to families as she seeks to provide wholesome environments and to discern and meet the needs of the children of this province. We pray You will give her futuristic vision as she meets the challenge of coping with this ever changing fast paced world. Bless her with courage, strength, good health and a happy heart to perform this ministry with excellence. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Minister Mary McNeil was appointed Minister for Children and Family Development on March 14, 2011. Before that, she served as Minister of Citizen Services from June 11, 2010 to March 14, 2011. She previously served as Minister of State for The Olympics and Actnow BC.

Minister McNeil was elected MLA for Vancouver-False Creek in the 2009 general provincial election.

Most recently, Mary served as president and CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation for eight years. She has served in key roles for international economic events including the G7 meetings in Halifax and Toronto, APEC in Vancouver and the XI international conference on AIDS. Mary has also served on the Vancouver Police Board for four years.

Mary was born and educated in Vancouver and has lived in Yaletown for 11 years with her husband of 38 years, Rod. She has raised four daughters and currently has eleven grandchildren.

MLA: Joan McIntyre - West Vancouver-Sea to Sky

Father God, we pray today for MLA Joan McIntyre who You have entrusted with great responsibility. We ask You to help her perform her tasks and responsibilities well and lead her along by fulfilling all the needs she has. Encourage her as a person Lord and give a happy spirit to her inner soul that she may enjoy her work and be encouraged.  God we ask that You would also continue to bless her family.  In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Joan McIntyre was first elected in the riding of West Vancouver-Garibaldi in the 2005 provincial general election and re-elected in the riding of West Vancouver-Sea to Sky in 2009.

She currently serves on the Cabinet Committee for Families First.  Prior to that, she served on the Agenda and Priorities Cabinet Committee, the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth (which she chaired), and the Select Standing Committees on Crown Corporations and Public Accounts, respectively, the latter of which she previously deputy-chaired. She served as Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations from June 2008 to June 2009.

In 1980, Joan co-founded the well-known BC polling firm of McIntyre & Mustel Research Associates Ltd. She sold her interest in 1996 to work independently concentrating more on the qualitative side of the research business and she worked in this field until 2005 when first elected.

An avid skier and sailor, Joan takes full advantage of living in one of the healthiest and active ridings in Canada.

MLA: Norm Macdonald - Columbia River-Revelstoke

We lift up MLA Norm Macdonald to You, oh God, of all creation that You will be pleased to bless him in his daily work. Today’s world is full of complicated issues so we ask that You guide him in bringing good solutions forward in his position as opposition critic for Forests and Range.  Lord Jesus, please keep him in good health and with a happy spirit in his heart. May the work of his hands prosper and let all he does be of benefit to the people, blessed Lord. We pray for his family members that they will be an encouragement to him and he to them. Amen

Norm Macdonald was re-elected as the MLA for Columbia River-Revelstoke on May 12, 2009. He was first elected to the Legislature in 2005.

Norm serves as opposition critic for Forests and Range.

Recently the principal of Nicholson Elementary School, Norm has taught for more than 15 years in the Columbia Valley.

He has a further six years experience teaching in Africa.

Norm served as a Councillor and was then elected Mayor of Golden in 1996.

Norm Macdonald lives in Golden with his wife Karen and two teenage daughters.

MLA: Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid - Vancouver-Fairview

Father God it is with sincerity that we pray for MLA Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid . Lord God, You know the needs she has as she works on issues for the people who need her leadership skills. We ask that by the power of Your Holy Spirit that You will guide and prompt her so that all that she needs will flow freely in her life and in the lives of those around her. Lord, also give her special blessings in the months ahead and encouraging words from her friends. All this we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Margaret was elected MLA for Vancouver-Fairview in the 2009 general provincial election. She was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors to the Minister of Health on March 14, 2011.  She also serves as Vice Chair on the Cabinet Committee for Families First. 

Margaret was appointed Minister of Tourism, Trade and Investment and Minister responsible for Intergovernmental Relations on October 25, 2010. She previously served as Minister of Education and Minister Responsible for Early Learning and Literacy from June, 2009 to October, 2010.

Margaret has been a family physician for 23 years. She served on the board of the BC Medical Association for 12 years and was president in 2006-2007. The BCMA is a voluntary association of 11,000 members comprised of British Columbia's physicians, medical residents, and medical students. During her time with the BCMA, Margaret met with key leaders from government and other organizations. 

Margaret experienced the health care system as a patient after an early diagnosis of breast cancer in 2007. She received treatment and has fully recovered.  

Originally from Saskatchewan, Margaret and her husband Robert moved to Rossland, BC in 1989.  Since the mid-1990s, both Robert’s and Margaret’s work brought them more frequently to Vancouver, where ultimately they decided to settle. Margaret enjoys golf, bridge, playing piano, kayaking and treasures the time she spends with family and friends.