Honorable MLA Blair Lekstrom Member for Peace River South

Thank you, Father God, for people like Blair Lekstrom--a dedicated servant who works for the betterment of our province. We ask, Lord, that you continue to help him do a great job in his constituency of Peace River as well as in his position of Minster of BC’s natural resources. Help him to know what will serve the province best in the areas of energy, mines and petroleum resources. We ask for favour, good health and travel safety for Blair. Watch over and protect Blair and his family; especially during those times that Blair is away from home.

Blair Lekstrom was re-elected to a third term as MLA for Peace River South on May 12, 2009 and was re-appointed as Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources on June 10, 2009.

Blair was first appointed Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources on January 19, 2009 after serving as Minister of Community Development from June 23, 2008. He was first elected in the 2001 provincial general election in the riding of Peace River South, and was re-elected for a second term in the 2005 general election.

Previously, Blair chaired the Legislative Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services (2001, 2002, 2005 and 2006) and served on the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the Agriculture Policy Development Committee, the Legislative Review Committee and the Government Caucus Committee on the Economy. In the past he has also served as the Chair of the Legislative Committee to review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the BC Offshore Oil and Gas Committee. He has been a member of the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, the Select Standing Committee on Health, the Northern Caucus Committee, the Cabinet Committee on Agenda & Priorities, and the Legislative Committee on the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform.

Before becoming an MLA, Blair was serving his second term as Mayor of the City of Dawson Creek. He was first elected mayor in 1996, after serving for three years as a councillor.

Born in 1961 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Blair moved to Dawson Creek later that year and has lived there ever since. Following graduation from South Peace Secondary School, Blair started with BC Tel in 1979 and worked for the next 17 years as an installer-repairman until his election as Mayor in 1996. He was a Peace River Regional District member and served on the North Central Municipal Association executive.

Blair's previous appointments include serving as a Municipal Finance Authority board member, North Central Municipal Association president, BC Task Force on Bank Mergers member, BC Agri-Food Policy Working Group member, and Union of BC Municipalities executive member.

 

Blair's community involvements included: Dawson Creek & District Hospital Foundation board member, Board Member, Pouce Coupe Long-Term Care Facility as well as participation in a wide range of community groups in his capacity as Mayor of Dawson Creek.

He and wife Vicki were married in 1982. They have two children. Blair is an avid motorcyclist and enjoys working on and riding his Harley Davidson. Other hobbies include: carpentry, camping with his family, and playing baseball and hockey.

MLA Richard T. Lee Burnaby North

Heavenly Father we give thanks to you today for Richard Lee as he serves in the riding of Burnaby North.We recognize that he you have given him may gifts and talents, help him to continue to use them wisely and we pray you would continue to supply all his needs as he serves his 3rd term. We pray that you would continue to grant him wisdom and divine strategy for the many tasks he has before him. We thank you for his willingness to serve on the many Select Standing Committees, and ask that you would give him the necessary strength and good health to serve. We pray for Your protection over him and his family, in Jesus mighty name Amen.


Richard T. Lee was first elected as the MLA for the riding of Burnaby North in 2001 and was re-elected to his third term in the May 2009 provincial general election. He was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for the Asia-Pacific Initiative on June 16, 2005.

Currently, Richard also serves as a member of the Legislative Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Select Standing Committee on Legislative Initiatives and a member of the Select Standing Committee on Education.

Previously, Richard also served as member of the Legislative Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, the Legislative Special Committee to Review the Police Complaint Process, the Special Committee to Appoint a Police Complaint Commissioner, Vice-chair of the Special Committee to Appoint a Merit Commissioner, the Government Caucus Committee on Economy and Government Operations, the Government Caucus Multicultural Committee and as Chair of the Government Caucus Asian Economic Development Committee.


Before being elected to the Legislature, Richard was a programmer analyst at TRIUMF, Canada's national particle research facility. In 1976, he earned a Combined Honours Bachelor of Science degree from UBC in physics and mathematics and in 1980 a Masters of Science from UBC in Applied Mathematics. While studying, Richard worked as a research assistant from 1975 to 1977 and then as a teaching assistant from 1977 to 1979 with the Department of Mathematics at UBC. From 1979 to 1982 he worked as a programmer at TRIUMF and in 1982 became a programmer analyst. Richard attended the United States Particle Accelerator School at Berkeley in 1989 and once again in 1990 at Harvard University.


In 1971 Richard moved to British Columbia where his grandfather settled since 1913. He and his wife Anne married in 1986 and have lived in Burnaby since then. They have three children.

MLA Harry Lali - Member for Yale-Lillooet

Dearest Heavenly Father, we ask for Your blessing to rest upon Harry Lali as he serves as Opposition Critic for Multiculturalism. May he be of great value to his government counterpart as he shares his personal experiences and knowledge. May the people of Yale-Lillooet find Harry to be a great resource and voice for their area. We ask You to refresh and uplift his spirit. May you bless him with ears to hear You and a heart to obey You.

Harry Lali served as Minister of Transportation and Highways from February, 1998, to February, 2001. He was the longest serving NDP Highways Minister in British Columbia. Previously, Harry served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Forests from June, 1996, to February, 1998.

Harry serves as opposition critic for Multiculturalism.

In 1988, Harry was elected City Councillor in Merritt for one term. In 1991, Harry was elected Member of the Legislative Assembly for Yale-Lillooet, re-elected MLA in 1996, and 2005. He was elected to a fourth term on May 12, 2009.

Harry is 51 years old and was born in Jullundur District, Punjab, and currently lives in Merritt. He was educated at the University of Victoria and the University of British Columbia, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and South Asia Area Studies. Harry is the founder of the group that established the Chair of Punjabi and Sikh Studies at the University of British Columbia.

Before his election to the Legislature, Harry was an Employment Counsellor for the federally-sponsored Merritt Outreach Program from 1986 – 1991. He has also worked at MOSAIC in Vancouver. Harry is a former member of the IWA Local 1-417 when he spent 11 summers working in the sawmill industry in Interior B.C. Harry is also a former co-owner of a sporting goods store

From 2001 – 2006 Harry owned his own business that was involved in international development and technology transfer to developing countries, namely in the field of environmental technologies and power generation.

Harry and his wife, Rani, are the proud parents of two sons and one daughter.

MLA Dr.Terry Lake Kamloops - North Thompson

Heavenly Father, we rejoice with You this day which You have made for all of us to enjoy. And in this blessed day we come to You on behalf of Dr. Terry Lake, whose public service has been well-noted and appreciated in Kamloops.

Now, as he takes on greater responsibility for the whole province, we pray a blessing upon this man and his family. Endow him with wisdom, patience, good humour and a caring heart. Help his family during the times when Terry will be away from home for extended periods of time. And, when the work load gets too heavy, may he turn to You for divine strength.

We pray this in the precious Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen

Dr. Terry Lake was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for the Ranching Task Force to the Minister of Agriculture and Lands on June 10, 2009. He was elected MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson on May 12, 2009.

Terry is a veterinarian by profession and served as the Mayor of the City of Kamloops from 2005-2008 and as a city councillor from 2002-2005, a time when Kamloops reached record employment and construction and was recognized for service to residents by the National Quality Institute.

Terry is a recipient of the BC Veterinary Medical Association Award of Merit for service to the profession and has served as Vice President of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association and Vice President of the Union of BC Municipalities. He was a member of the BC Transit Board of Directors for three years when transit service increased dramatically in Kamloops.

Community service has long been a part of Terry’s life whether serving as president of the Coquitlam Rotary Club in the 1990s or as president of the Kamloops Recreational Soccer League. One of his most rewarding experiences was traveling with Developing World Connections to Tangalle, Sri Lanka in 2008 to assist with tsunami relief.

Terry and his wife Lisa have three daughters, a dog and a cat.

MLA Jenny Wai Ching Kwan Vancouver - Mount Pleasant

Dearest Heavenly Father, we bring before You Jenny Kwan and ask that Your hand would be upon her to bless her, favour her and guide her as she performs her duties as Opposition Critic for Small Business, Technology and Economic Development and as representative for Vancouver-Mount Pleasant. Rejuvenate her spirit and refresh her outlook as she continues to serve. May You grant her wisdom and patience and may she be a calming voice to her peers. We ask you to bless Jenny and her family with good health.

Jenny Kwan was first elected as the MLA for Vancouver - Mount Pleasant in 1996, becoming one of the first Chinese-Canadians to sit in BC's Legislative Assembly and the first Chinese Canadian Cabinet Minister in the history of B.C. She was re-elected in 2001, 2005 and again on May 12, 2009.


Jenny serves as opposition critic for Small Business, Technology and Economic Development.
Born in Hong Kong, Jenny Wai Ching Kwan immigrated to Canada with her family when she was nine years old.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Criminology) from Simon Fraser University. Jenny began working as a community legal advocate in the Downtown Eastside shortly after graduation.
Jenny was elected to Vancouver City Council in 1993 --becoming the youngest councillor in Vancouver’s history -- and served for three years as the sole representative of Vancouver's progressive municipal political party, COPE.
In 1998 Jenny was appointed Minister of Municipal Affairs, becoming BC's first Chinese-Canadian cabinet minister. Jenny also served as Minister of Women's Equality and Minister of Community Development, Cooperatives and Volunteers and was the provincial government’s lead person in developing the Vancouver Agreement.
Jenny is married and lives in East Vancouver with her husband, daughter, son and stepson.

Hon. MLA Kevin Krueger Member for Kamloops - South Thompson Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts

Father God, we thank You for Kevin Krueger, who has faithfully served the people of British Columbia for years. Bless him, Lord, as he continues to serve in many capacities. Guide him in each area and provide him with the wisdom and discernment as needed. May You also provide him with physical help when he needs it. Thank You, God, that he has so willingly given of his time in service. We ask that You also provide him with ample time to spend with his family and friends, and that these times be filled with joy. Bless him with good health, and safety as he travels.

Leonard Krog was re-elected as the MLA for Nanaimo on May 12, 2009.
Leonard serves as opposition critic for the Attorney General.


Born in Nanaimo and raised in Coombs, Leonard served as MLA for Parksville-Qualicum from 1991 to 1996.


Since 1980, Leonard has been a practicing lawyer in a Nanaimo law firm, most recently with his wife Sharon.
In addition , Leonard has served as the director and president of the Mid-Island Consumer Services Co-operative, chair of the United Way for Nanaimo and District, director of the Nanaimo City Centre Association, president of the Nanaimo City Bar Association, director and president of the Planned Parenthood Association's Nanaimo Branch, a member and supporter of Amnesty International and Lawyers for Social Responsibility.
Leonard and his wife Sharon live in Nanaimo. They have two children, Jessica and Parker, and two grandchildren, Portia and Archer.

MLA Maurine Karagianis Esquilmalt - Royal Roads

Dearest Heavenly Father, as Maurine Karagianis has led a pioneering life that reflects her care and concern for issues that matter to her, we ask that you direct her leadership abilities, her energy and her varied life experiences to the benefit of her government peers and the people of this province. May You bless her with wisdom and discernment as she serves as Opposition Critic for Children, Family Development and Child Care and as representative for Esquimalt-Royal Roads. Please bless her with good health and uplifted spirits.


Maurine Karagianis was elected MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin on May 17, 2005, and re-elected to the reconfigured riding of Esquimalt-Royal Roads on May 12, 2009.



Maurine serves as opposition critic for Children, Family Development and Child Care.

 She was elected to Esquimalt Council in 1996. Serving for three terms, Maurine helped create and chaired the CRD Arts Committee, and by working to save the Matson Gary Oak meadow in the Inner Harbour and daylighting the Gorge Creek helped enrich green space and renew bird habitat in Esquimalt.

A long-standing Director of the Veins of Life Watershed Society, Maurine has worked in support of environmental stewardship for the Gorge Waterway and watershed protection in the Capital Region.

She worked in the fashion industry for over 15 years, in retail, wholesale and import/export, and also spent more than a decade working in the communications industry for the tourism market and international motorcycle industry.

 

Maurine ran a consulting firm that worked with non-profit organizations and First Nations communities to create affordable housing. Her career has also included working for the provincial Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Social Services.

 A proud mother and grandmother, Maurine lives with her partner in Esquimalt.