MLA: Hon. Patrick Bell - Prince George-Mackenzie - Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour

Father, we are grateful for dedicated, diligent and committed members of the legislative assembly like MLA: Hon. Pat Bell. Your Word says in Psalm 37:23 (NLT) "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.".  We ask that You, Jesus, would be with Minister Bell every step of the way as Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour. We also trust that You will be with him in all of the details in this area as it is one of keys to the economy of our province and the well being of our citizens. Be with his family as their comforter while he is away from them traveling the province in fulfillment of his many duties. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Pat Bell was appointed Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation on March 14, 2011. He was re-elected for a third term as MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie in 2009.

Pat has previously served as Minister of Forests, Mines and Lands, Minister of Forests and Range, Minister of Agriculture and Lands and as Minister of State for Mining.

He has served on the Government Caucus Committee on Natural Resources and B.C. Task Force on Mining, and as chair of the Small Scale Salvage Review Committee. Pat has also served on the Legislative Select Standing Committees on Education and Crown Corporations.

Prior to becoming an MLA, Pat owned a trucking company and co-owned a logging company. He owns two Wendy's Restaurants in Prince George.

Committed to youth sport, Pat chaired the junior golf program at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club from 1993 to 1997. He also coached high school volleyball and supported the Prince George Barracuda Swim Club. Bell served for several years on the Tourism Prince George Board of Directors.

Born in Vancouver and educated at the University of British Columbia, Pat has lived in Prince George since 1988. He and his wife Brenda have three children.      

MLA: Harry Bloy - Burnaby-Lougheed

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul, He who keeps understanding will find good. Proverbs 19:8
By the grace of God we are able to bring before the throne room of God MLA: Harry Bloy, a faithful servant of the citizens of British Columbia for many, many years. His endeavours encompass many disciplines and he has excelled in all of them. We pray for him daily health and strength so that he may fulfill his obligations to his constituents. These faithful servants of this great province make tremendous sacrifices in many areas and we sincerely pray that the burdens will not be too onerous, or burdensome to carry. Bless MLA Bloy and his family and may they sense the presence of the Almighty in their daily activities. We pray this in the powerful name of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Harry Bloy was first elected in the riding of Burquitlam in 2001 and was re-elected in the May 2005 provincial general election. He won election to the Legislature for a third time in 2009 for the new riding of Burnaby-Lougheed.

Harry also serves on the Treasury Board and Cabinet Committee for Families First.

Previously, Harry served as Minister of State for Multiculturalism, and Minister of Social Development and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism, was on the Government Caucus Committee for Natural Resources and Economy and three Select Standing Committees: Finance and Government Services; Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills; and, Legislative Initiatives. In addition, he was the Deputy Chair of Committee of the Whole.

Harry has also served on the Crown Corporations, Public Accounts, Finance and Government Services committees. He was also a member of the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Prior to being an MLA, Harry was the President of a local telecommunications company. Harry earned a marketing diploma from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in Toronto after which he worked as a systems analyst before moving into retail. Starting as a district manager, he became national marketing manager for a countrywide retail chain. In 1979 Harry and his brother opened the first in a series of convenience stores and over the next 12 years developed, operated and expanded the chain before selling the business.

MLA: Donna Barnett - Cariboo-Chilcotin

Thank You Lord for Donna Barnett as she serves as MLA for the people of the Cariboo-Chilcotin. Bless her with health and safety as she travels the many miles her constituency covers as well as the travel required to and from Victoria. We are blessed to have her bring her experience and knowledge to the work she does for the people of British Columbia. Grant her grace and favour with those she works with each day. Bless her with wisdom and open her eyes to new possibilities and solutions to the situations she faces in her role in Government. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Donna Barnett was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Communities to the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development on September 26, 2011. She was elected MLA for Cariboo-Chilcotin on May 12, 2009.

Donna has served as a member of the Select Standing Committees on Aboriginal Affairs, on Health, and the Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills

A self-employed business owner and realtor, Donna served as mayor of the District of 100 Mile House from 1986 to 1990 and again from 1996 to 2008.

During that time, Donna served as co-chair of the Council of Resource Community Mayors, as well as chair of the Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition. Additionally, she was a member of the federal government’s Minister of Natural Resources Committee and a member of the Premier's Climate Action Team.

Donna’s political experience is very diverse.  She has been either a member of or involved in: the Cariboo Regional District and Hospital District, Community Policing, the Premier's Task Force on Opportunities, Land Use Planning, Health Care, the Restorative Justice Committee, the Regional Economic Development Committee, the BC Open Learning Agency, the Board of Directors for the Cariboo College and the Chamber of Commerce.

With over 35 years of community involvement, Donna has been a Rotarian, a member of the 100 Mile House Kinettes, a member of the 100 Mile Outriders Club, chair of the Spirit of BC 100 Mile House Community Committee, chair of the 100 Mile Chapter of Kidsport, chair of the 100 Mile & District Safety Committee, a member of Measuring up the North 100 Mile Committee, chair of the 100 Mile Advisory Committee for the Industrial Hemp Pilot Project, a member of the 100 Mile House Museum Society, a member of the Lower Bridge Creek Watershed Society and served as chair of the South Cariboo Planning Council.

Donna has been the recipient of many awards including the 2008 Women in Resource Communities Woman of the Year Award and 2006 BC Government Community Achievement Award.

Donna and her husband Jack have two grown children and one grandchild.

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

Lord, we lift MLA: Hon. Bill Barisoff to You and thank You for the wealth of experience he brings to the province of British Columbia. Thank You for his many years of service to our province and more particularly to the people of the Okanagan. We ask Lord that You will grant him wisdom and favour in his role as Speaker. Help him to balance the many demands on his time and give him the strength to serve with fresh enthusiasm and commitment. Be with and bless his family, we pray. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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 Bariso

MLA: Harry Bains - Surrey-Newton

Heavenly  Father we thank You for MLA: Harry Bains and his commitment to serve the people of Surrey and the Province of British Columbia. We ask that You will be with him as he travels throughout his constituency while continuing to keep his eyes open to the needs of the people under his care as MLA. Give him wisdom as he works with individual needs as well as when his input is required into issues affecting the province. Bless and protect his wife and family, especially during those times when he needs to be away from home. In  Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Harry Bains was re-elected as the MLA for Surrey-Newton on May 12, 2009. He was first elected to the Legislature on May 17, 2005.

Harry serves as opposition critic for Transportation and Infrastructure.

Harry has been active in the Surrey community for many years. He has years of experience in education having served on the Kwantlen College Board of Governors between 1993 and 1999.

Harry was an elected officer of Steelworkers-IWA Canada local 2171 for over fifteen years. He served most recently as Vice president of his local, where he led negotiations and engaged in bargaining for better working conditions for working people.

Harry and his wife Rajvinder live in Surrey. They have two children, Kulpreet and Jasmeen.


 

MLA: Robin Austin - Skeena

Lord, we thank You for Robin Austin and his commitment to serve the people of the Skeena area as their MLA.  We thank You for his dedication and the many hours that he puts into his work. We ask for a blessing on his family and that he would be encouraged and energized each day.  We also ask for Your protection over him and his family and that each day they may experience your peace.  Give him protection on the roads as he travels throughout the North country meeting his constituents. Amen.

Robin Austin was re-elected as the MLA for Skeena on May 12, 2009. He was first elected to the Legislature on May 17, 2005.

Robin serves as opposition critic for Education and Chair of the caucus committee on Social Policy.

Robin was employed as a Community Schools Coordinator for a Non-Profit Society in Terrace.

Prior to entering the social work field, Robin spent 20 years working in the Private Sector for both large corporations and small businesses associated with the Hotel/Tourism industry. Robin has a B.A. from Strathclyde University in Scotland as well as a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Northern BC.

Robin and his wife have been married for twenty years and are the parents of two young adults.

MLA: Hon. George Abbott - Shuswap - Minister of Education

Father, we are thankful for the leadership that the Hon. George Abbott has shown in his role as MLA for the Shuswap these past years.  We ask for Your divine wisdom and guidance for him as he works on behalf of all his constituents and as he heads up the Education portfolio in Cabinet.  We pray a blessing upon both him and his family and ask that You would continue to give him health and strength today and each day to come. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

George Abbott is currently the Minister of Education. Previously, he served as Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation.  He was re-elected as MLA for the Shuswap on May 12, 2009. George is also a member of the Priorities and Planning Committee and the Cabinet Committee on Families First.

Prior to the 2009 election, he served as Minister of Health since June 16, 2005, Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services and Minister of Sustainable Resource Management.

George has also been deputy house leader for the Official Opposition and was critic for municipal affairs and forests. He was Deputy Chair of the Select Standing Committees on Forests, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, and was a member of the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs. Additionally, he sat on the Official Opposition Caucus Committee on Crime.

First elected as MLA in 1996 to represent the riding of Shuswap, George was re-elected in 2001 and again in 2005. Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, George was a political science instructor at Okanagan University College. He also owned the oldest and largest berry farm in the Interior.

He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia and his Master of Arts in political science from the University of Victoria.

George was the chair of the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District. He was also involved in amateur sports as a minor hockey coach.

George and Lesley Abbott live in Sicamous and have three children.