Deborah Matthews - MPP for London North Centre (October 31st, 2014)

Father, we come before You with thanksgiving for the men and women that serve us in the Parliament of the Province of Ontario. We lift up MPP: Deborah Matthews to You and ask You to pour out Your blessings on her and hes family. Be with her Lord, as she serves in government and in her constituency of London North Centre. Open her eyes to new possibilities as she travels and talks to the people of our province. Renew her strength and vision for the work You have called her to do. Protect her Lord as she travels either by airplane or car in her role as a Cabinet Minister. As Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, Deputy Premier and President of the Treasury Board we ask that you help her to make good decisions and give good leadership to the roles she has been given.  We begin to pray for wisdom, courage, integrity, strength, blessing and righteousness to be poured on her that she may help to give good leadership to our province.   We ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

 

BIOGRAPHY

Deb was elected by the residents of London North Centre to the Ontario Legislature in 2003 and re-elected in 2007, 2011 and 2014.

She was appointed Minister of Health and Long-Term Care in October 2009 and was appointed Deputy Premier in February 2013. She was recently appointed to President of the Treasury Board and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy.

As Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Deb has led a major initiative to reduce the cost of prescription generic drugs – and, she spearheaded The Excellent Care for All Act which was passed unanimously in the Legislative Assembly. This Act will transform our health care system – through better value for taxpayer investments in higher quality care. It has been said that this Act could be the single most important piece of health care legislation since the creation of our publicly-funded health system.

Previously, Deb served as the Minister of Children and Youth, the Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues and the Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction.

Deb led the development of Breaking the Cycle, a strategy focused on raising the standard of living for all children in Ontario and reducing the number of children living in poverty by 25% in 5 years - and she was recognized as the driving force behind the historic Ontario Child Benefit.

In 2009, Deb introduced the Poverty Reduction Act. When it was unanimously passed in the legislature, the Act became a permanent government commitment to poverty reduction.

Throughout her life Deb has been actively involved in the London community. She served as president of the Big Sisters of London and coordinated the capital campaign for the Boys and Girls Club of London. She has been a volunteer with many London organizations including the Thames Valley Children’s Centre, the Canadian Institute for the Blind, Orchestra London and the Salvation Army.

For her outstanding work for social justice, Deb was awarded the 2007 Political Award of Merit by the Social Work Doctors’ Colloquium. She was nominated by A.B. Lucas Secondary School and acknowledged by the Thames Valley District School Board as an Individual who Inspires Excellence. 

When she was teaching here at Western, she was honoured twice by the Students’ Council with a place on the Teaching Honour Roll. In March 2010, she was recognized as an Outstanding Woman of the Year by the Hamilton Road Business Association Ealing Girls Club.

Deb was born in London North Centre and graduated from St. George’s Public School and A.B. Lucas Secondary School. She studied at the University of Western Ontario, where she completed her Ph D. in Social Demography. She has three children and five grandchildren.

http://debmatthews.onmpp.ca/Biography

Gila Martow - MPP for Thornhill (October 30th, 2014)

Heavenly Father, may you grant Gila Martow the wisdom and strength necessary to effectively serve the riding of Thornhill. May your presence lift her up and encourage her. Lord, as she looks at legislation give her the wisdom to know when and how to proceed. May you also bless her home and be honored there.  Be honored and glorified in her service for Jesus sake. Amen.

BIOGRAPHY

Gila Martow is a Canadian politician, elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario on February 13, 2014. She represents the riding of Thornhill as a member of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Caucus.

After graduating from the University of Waterloo as an optometrist, Gila moved to Thornhill in 1989, where she and her husband, Jeff, co-ran an eye clinic attached to Markham Stouffville Hospital until she took office last February. 
As a mother of four, Gila is dedicated to making York Region the best place to live, work and play for our future generations. To that effect, Gila has served as the Chair of the Parents Association of TanenbaumCHAT York Region Campus. Additionally, over the past 25 years, Gila has spent much of her free time fundraising and volunteering for not-for-profit organizations in Thornhill, including York Region’s CNIB and Hadassah.

GILA'S ROLE AS MPP FOR THORNHILL

When the Legislature is sitting, Gila is at Queen’s Park, Monday to Thursday, taking part in debate in the House and committee meetings. In between her House duties, she meets with stakeholders and staff regarding new ideas for legislation and ways to make existing legislation more responsive to the needs of Ontarians.

On Fridays, Gila meets with constituents at her Constituency Office and attends events in the riding. Her weekends are usually busy with community events, whether it’s a small business opening, a park clean-up, or a roundtable discussion on how to make Thornhill a better place to call home.
When the Legislature is not in session, Gila is usually in the riding but sometimes attends Queen’s Park to meet with stakeholders, other MPPs and Ministers, or provincial staff.
Gila believes her prime responsibility is to the constituents she is elected to represent. She is there to help you and other Thornhill residents and businesses from both her Queen’s Park and Constituency offices. Her office can help with navigating provincial services like WSIB, the Family Responsibility Office, or even with handling Will & Power of Attorney Kits.  The Constituency office is also where you can request a certificate for a special person or occasion.  Just call and someone will be happy to assist you!

http://gilamartow.ca/Candidate

Cristina Martins - MPP for Davenport (October 29th, 2014)

Our Father in Heaven, we pray today for Cristina Martins, Member of Provincial Parliament for Davenport.

Lord I know you decided to use our hands, our mouths and our prayers. Today Lord we pray for our government leader Cristina. We ask Lord that you would give her wisdom, help her to see the world through your eyes. Father, give her everything she needs. We pray Lord for her protection that as a mother of young children, and keep them in your loving care.

Father we pray that she would surround herself with godly counsel, and do what is right in your sight. We pray that she would hear your voice in the middle of all her responsibilities and duties. Bless her today we pray.

 

BIOGRAPHY

Cristina is a community builder, healthcare advocate, and education champion.

She has spent her career working hard to create jobs, grow the economy, and improve our community.

Cristina served as President of the Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business and Professionals, Deputy Chair of the Greater Toronto Business Association, and Director of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Toronto. Cristina understands that we need to create jobs in order to build the sustainable community that we want.

Born in Portugal, and raised in Davenport, Cristina is married and a mother of two. As a mother, Crsitina understands that funding clean transit is a cornerstone for improving our neighbourhoods.

As a mother of two young children enrolled in our publicly funded education system, she has witnessed firsthand the improvements that Premier Kathleen Wynne and the Ontario Liberal government have made in education.

As a professional in the healthcare industry, she has seen the results of all the positive changes in our health care system since the last PC government.  These personal experiences have made Cristina passionately believe that the Liberal government is our best choice to build Ontario up.

Grateful for the opportunities that Canada has provided to her family, Cristina will fight to ensure that we all have the opportunity to succeed. 

http://cristinamartins.onmpp.ca/Biography

Michael Mantha - MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin (October 28th, 2014)

Father, we thank You for the strength that You have given to Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha,strength of character, integrity and the ability to understand the complexities that he faces in their every day life. We ask that You would further strengthen him and that he would clearly see the issues that stand before him as he makes decisions that will affect the people of this province. In the name of Jesus, Amen

 

BIOGRAPHY

Michael Mantha is the current MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin. In the legislature, Michael has been a strong voice for rural healthcare, safe road conditions, northern jobs and affordability. Michael has spent his career standing up for northern workers and improving life for northern families.

Before being elected in October 2011, Michael worked with MP Carol Hughes advocating for constituents. Michael also worked with the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities helping displaced workers access social services and training; as well as a Labour Representative for 17 years and spent 4 years with United Steelworkers Local 1-2693.

Michael lives in Elliot Lake with his wife Pauline and their two sons.

http://www.michaelmantha.com/bio/

Today we pray for the Ontario Municipal Elections (October 27th, 2014)

Lord, as the Ontario municipal elections take place today we pray that you would be a part of the process. That your Holy Spirit would be felt across this province. That those running for Mayor, Councillor, Alderman, Trustee and many other posts would be encouraged today. We pray that you would raise up Godly leaders in every town, city and region across this province. 

And Lord when the ballots are counted, we know that the Men and Women elected will be used according to your purpose. Give us as a province the realization that ultimately it is not about which person WE want in, but which person YOU want in leadership.

We ask that the churches in every community, build strong and vibrant relationships with those elected in, not so that we can sway their favour, but so that we can SERVE our communities and SHOW them the love of Jesus.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, AMEN!

Amrit Mangat - MPP for Mississauga-Brampton South

Lord I thank you for Amrit Mangat and her dedication to being a part of the Liberal Party, and the roles she has filled, and presently fills as a MPP in the Mississauga Brampton South riding. Thank You for her determination to help in the area of Climate control and the Environment. I pray that You would bless her and give her wisdom and knowledge in each of the areas where she gives leadership to our Province. Bless her family with joy and peace that comes from Your Hand. May she be granted blessings from above I pray. Amen!

BIOGRAPHY

Elected in October 2007, Amrit Mangat is the first woman of South Asian heritage to serve as a Member of Provincial Parliament in Ontario.
Representing the riding of Mississauga—Brampton South, Amrit was appointed by the Premier of Ontario as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister Responsible for Seniors in 2007. In September 2010, Mangat was appointed Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation. She also serves as a member of the Justice, Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs Policy Cabinet Committee and she is a member of the Standing Committee on General Government. Amrit has also been a member of the Standing Committee on Estimates.

Prior to immigrating to Canada in 1992, Amrit worked as a teacher in India and later obtained her Ontario College of Teachers certification. In addition to teaching occasionally, Amrit managed several small businesses. She most recently worked as a senior administrator in a law firm, helping new Canadians to settle and prosper in Ontario.

She has always been active in the Peel community, volunteering for various organizations such as the Rotary Club and India Rainbow Community Services of Peel. As a former high school teacher, Amrit brings a sincere passion for children to the legislature and continuously advocates to ensure that they receive the best education possible.

As an astute business woman, Amrit brings a strong vision to Queen’s Park that is committed to providing a vibrant and sustainable local economy, a greener environment and a productive labour force that utilizes the skills of new Canadians and recognizes their important contributions to our community.

Amrit holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Master of Arts in Economics, a Bachelor of Education, a Master of Education and she is a former member of the Ontario College of Teachers.

Amrit lives in the Region of Peel with her husband Dr. J. S. Mangat, a prominent lawyer.

Harinder Malhi - MPP for Brampton-Springdale (October 23rd, 2014)

Lord, we thank You for MPP Harinder Malhi and the opportunity she was given by the residents of the Brampton-Springdale riding to serve the people as a member of the Liberal Party. Lord God, we pray that You will bless her abundantly in her respective roles as Member, Standing Committee on Government Agencies, Member, Standing Committee on Public Accounts and Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister Responsible for Women's Issues.

Dear God, grant to her continued strength of character, integrity and ability to understand the complexities that she will face in the coming days, especially in the area of women’s issues. Give her the strength and endurance she will need and let her know that her efforts are appreciated. I pray God that You will bless her family with health and prosperity and may they be aware of Your love and care in their lives. In Jesus name, Amen.

 NO BIOGRAPHY AVAILABLE FOR THIS MPP

http://harindermalhi.onmpp.ca/Home