MLA John Rustad - Nechako Lakes

Father, we come to you today for John Rustad of the Nechako Lakes riding.  You know his extensive background in forestry and his ability to work on innovative projects.

We ask, Lord, that you will fill his mind with wisdom, that he may use his background knowledge and his ability to bring new ideas into focus, to bring great prosperity to the region he is representing.

You have given us our forests, Father, and for them we are truly grateful. We ask that they will be managed and harvested wisely for the good of all people in our Province.

You have also raised John to be a member of several Select Standing Committees with social and financial applications.

We pray for his family and his riding, that they may prosper at this time and be blessed because of your hand on this man.  We pray all this in the great Name of Jesus. Amen.

John Rustad was re-elected to represent the newly redistributed riding of Nechako Lakes on May 12, 2009, and was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Silviculture to the Minister of Forests and Range on June 10, 2009. He was previously elected as MLA for the riding of Prince George-Omineca in the 2005 provincial election.


John currently co-chairs the Farm Assessment Review Panel and has chaired the Select Standing Committee on Crown Corporations, the Select Standing Committee to Appoint a Police Complaint Commissioner and the Government Caucus Committee on Social Development. He was also a member of the Select Standing Committee on Children and Youth, the Select Standing Committee on Education, the Selection Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services and the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts.


Since 2005, John has chaired the Northern Caucus of B.C. and has toured extensively throughout the North to listen and bring forward issues that affect those communities. He is also a chair of B.C.’s Outdoor Caucus and government representative to PNWER (Pacific Northwest Economic Region).


Born and raised in Prince George, John has worked in the forest industry for more than 20 years. He formed Western Geographic Information Systems Inc. in 1995, offering a consulting service to the forest industry. Previously he was the Geographic Information Systems department manager for Timberline Forest Inventory Consultants in Prince George. John also owns a woodlot license and has been involved in land development projects.


Elected as a school trustee in 2002, John has worked on innovative projects throughout the district, including the South Fort George Family Resource Centre, a project designed to combine social services from a variety of agencies. John also championed the renovation and expansion of the College Heights Secondary School (CHSS) through a self-financed project; and advocated for the new Trade and Technical Program of Excellence for Grade 10-12 students and the Healthy Choices Committee designed to promote healthy choices in diet and exercise within schools.


John and his wife Kim were married in 1995. John is an avid soccer player and he and Kim enjoy theatre, golf, skiing and the outdoors.

MLA Doug Routley - Nanaimo North Cowichan

Heavenly Father, we ask that you would bless Doug Routley today. We recognize that You have given him many gifts and abilities that enable him to serve his consitituents and our province very well. Help him as he adjusts to serving a new riding and new consitituents. Minister to his life and his relationships. Let your blessing be upon him today we pray!

In Jesus Name, Amen!

Doug Routley, born May 9, 1961 in New Westminster, BC, grew up in Duncan, BC. Doug comes from a family of educators and attended the public schools of the Cowichan Valley. He also attended Camosun College before traveling to Japan, where he lived and worked for one year.

Doug's close friendships and connections to the Cowichan First Nation people began as a boy playing road hockey and attending school with his friends from Cowichan. He has continued building on that connection in politics, first as a school trustee and now as MLA. Doug has a diverse background in industry, business, unions and politics. He has work experience in logging and sawmilling, treeplanting, construction, as well as working as an ESL teacher, business owner and operator, school custodian, union representative, school trustee and MLA.

While in Japan, Doug taught English and studied Sumea, traditional Japanese ink painting. He was a bicycle racer and while training in Japan, met a renowned Japanese bicycle manufacturer. Doug became English teacher to the family of this bicycle manufacturer and was given North American rights to his products. After his return to Canada, Doug established a company with a retail bicycle store in Vancouver and a wholesale/distribution chain which had dealers throughout Canada and the USA with warehouses in Vancouver, Ontario and California.

Doug was elected as the MLA for Cowichan-Ladysmith on May 17, 2005 and re-elected as MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan on May 12, 2009 He serves as Opposition Critic for Apprenticeship and Training, and also served as Deputy Chair of the Select Standing Committee on Education.


Doug has two daughters, Sasha, 21 and Madeline, 13.

MLA Bill Routley - Cowichan

Our Father in Heaven: I thank you and praise your Holy Name for your servant Bill Routley. Bill is an MLA of Duncan and Cowichan Bay area for the province of British Columbia. Lord I pray that your mighty hand be with Bill in all that he does for his constituents and for our beautiful province.

I pray your protection over Bill and his family. As Bill serves you Lord I ask a spiritual joy to fill Bill’s heart , along with the strength and wisdom to fulfill his mission. Help him to see your will, to love justice and walk humbly before you.

Thank you Lord for Bill Routley.

Bill Routley was elected MLA for Cowichan Valley on May 12, 2009. Bill serves as deputy opposition critic for Forests and Range.

Bill began his career in the Forest industry working at the Youbou Sawmill where he became active first as the Safety Chairman, and then as Plant Chairman. He was elected the President of IWA Local 1-80; now USW-Steelworkers Local 1-1937.

Bill served as a Pension Trustee on the IWA-Forest Industry Pension Plan. He was a member of the IWA-Forest Industry Pension Audit Committee, and was a Trustee on the IWA-Forest Industry Health and Welfare Benefit Plan. Bill's service to the community includes five years as a School Trustee in Lake Cowichan (1980 -1985).

Bill and his wife Charmaine enjoy the company of their two grown children, son Noah and daughter Alisha who have provided the gift of five wonderful grandchildren; ages four to nine years. While Bill and Charmaine currently reside in Duncan, they started their family in Youbou and then lived at Marble Bay on Lake Cowichan for many years. Bill and Charmaine were very active in Lake Cowichan with their involvement in Boy Scouts(Beavers) and Girl Guides.

Bill and Charmaine owned a home decorating business "Decorating Den" for many years.

MLA Linda Reid - Richmond East

Lord God, we thank You for the privilege that You have given us to pray for our leaders in Government and today we pray for Linda Reid. We ask Your blessing & favour upon her life and that You would guide her in every decision that is made. Grant her your wisdom as she serves as an MLA and Deputy Speaker.  We pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen

Linda Reid was nominated as Deputy Speaker on June 10, 2009. Previously, she was Minister of State for Childcare from June 16, 2005 to June 9, 2009. She also served as Minister of State for Early Childhood Development from June 5, 2001. She was first elected in 1991 to represent the riding of Richmond East and was re-elected in 1996, 2001, 2005 and 2009.

Linda previously served in a variety of critic roles for the Official Opposition, including children and families, health, attorney general, municipal affairs, and science, technology and research.


She sits as a member of the Government Caucus Committee on Education.


Before her election to the Legislative Assembly, Linda worked as a language therapist, teacher and school administrator for the Richmond School District.


She graduated from the University of British Columbia with an education degree and earned a master of arts from UBC specializing in education, exceptional learners, language acquisition and public administration.


Linda was the BC chair for the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind and a director of the Garden City Hospice Society. She has been active in the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, the Asia-Pacific Business Association, and the Canadian Council for Exceptional Children and the Family Court Committee of Richmond. She was a founding member of the Richmond Chinatown Lions Club and was chair of the British Columbia Youth Parliament board from 1986 to 1991.


Linda and her husband Sheldon live in Richmond and have two children – Olivia and Will.

MLA Bruce Ralston - Surrey-Whalley

Heavenly Father, we come to you today for Bruce Ralston, the MLA for Surrey - Whalley.

Lord, we thank You for a skilled leader who has a broad understanding of law and finance. We ask that as he uses his skills and gifts that you will fill him with tremendous wisdom and insight.  Use him in his critic role to bring attention to the issues that require further thought, discussion and debate.

Father, you care for all people in British Columbia. We need to be governed by men and women of character and understanding: We ask that Mr Ralston will become an even stronger and effective leader within his caucus. 

In Jesus' Name we ask. Amen.

Bruce Ralston was re-elected as the MLA for Surrey - Whalley on May 12, 2009. He was first elected to the Legislature in 2005.


Bruce serves as opposition critic for Finance.


Bruce is a lawyer in Surrey, where he has operated his own law firm for 18 years.


From 1995 to 2006, Bruce was a member of the VanCity Savings Credit Union board of directors. He served as the chair of the board from 2001 to 2003. Bruce also served on the Surrey City Council from 1988 to 1993.


He promoted planned development for healthy neighbourhoods for Surrey families. He is a former board member of Surrey Memorial Hospital and the Surrey Public Library.


Bruce is also a former president of the BC NDP. Bruce was born in Victoria and grew up in Vancouver. He has degrees in history and law from the University of British Columbia and a degree in history from the University of Cambridge in England.


Bruce is married to Miriam Sobrino. They have three children, 17, 15 and 12, who attend public schools in Surrey and New Westminster. They are active in their community through a number of community and sports organizations.

MLA Lana Popham - Saanich South

Lord you have given Lana a deep sensitivity towards the world You have created. Lord may she see your hand at work as she focuses on decisions concerning the protection of the environment. We pray that you would direct her mind in knowing how to bring about right leigislation to protect that which You have given us.May your protective hand be upon her and her family.In Jesus name.Amen

Lana Popham was elected as a Member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly for the Constituency of Saanich South on May 12, 2009.

She is also the New Democratic Opposition Critic for the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands.  Lana was raised on Quadra Island and has an undergraduate degree from the University of British Columbia.

Lana has an extensive track record as a community leader, advocate and environmental activist. For example, her recent contributions include being a:

Member of Saanich's Planning, Transportation and Economic Development Committee,


President the Vancouver Island Grape Growers Association,


Chair of the Certification Committee for the Islands Organic Producers Association,


Commissioner on the Peninsula Agricultural Commission, and a


Voting Member of the Agri-Food Initiative Advisory Committee.


In late 2007, Lana launched a campaign called “Think Outside the Bag” to reduce the use of disposable bags. While initially dismissed by cynics, in less than two years this campaign has helped to dramatically change how consumers use plastic bags and contributed to a sea change with many grocery stores and other retailers no longer offering them.

Lana has lived in Saanich South since 1996. She is married to Jon Popham, a fire-fighter, and has one young son. The family owns and operates Barking Dog Vineyard, the first certified organic vineyard on Vancouver Island.

Hon. Mary Polak - Minister of Children and Family Development and Minister for Child Care Member for Langley

Heavenly Father we bring before your throne Mary Polack.Lord we ask for your hand upon her and your protection upon her.  Guard her heart and mind and sensitivities,and may your righteous hand direct her in her ministry of children and family development.This is a huge reponsibility Lord so we know that nothing is impossible for You and we ask that you would help her to make the right choices in this ministry and even in the face of hard decisions Lord guide her mind.May your hand of blessing be upon all the families and childern affected in this ministry. Amen

Mary Polak was appointed Minister of Children and Family Development and Minister Responsible for Child Care on June 10, 2009. She was elected to the Legislature in 2005 and again in 2009 to represent Langley. Mary Polak was was appointed Minister of Healthy Living and Sport on June 23, 2008. On December 19, 2006, she was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health for the Conversation on Health. Mary currently sits on the Cabinet Committee on New Relationship Coordination and the Government Caucus Committee on Social Development. She has served on the Government Caucus Committee for Natural Resources and the Economy, the Select Standing Committees for Children and Youth, Education and Public Accounts. She has also been a member of the Cabinet Committee on Agenda Development and the Special Committee to Review the Personal Information Protection Act.

Before being elected to the Legislative Assembly, Mary was director of operations for a small polling and research firm and a trustee and former chair of the Surrey School Board. Under her leadership, Surrey became the first school district in B.C. to balance its books according to generally accepted accounting principles. She also led an initiative to make Surrey the first school district in the province to publish school-by-school results for both elementary and secondary schools.

Throughout her nine years in local government, Mary has worked with many regional and provincial organizations. As a representative to the Lower Mainland Consortium of School Districts for Successful Settlement, she twice presented briefs to the Federal Immigration Commission. In the mid 1990s, Mary chaired the Council of British Columbia School Districts and in 2003, she was elected to the board of directors of the British Columbia School Trustees Association.

Mary lives in the Willoughby area of Langley.