MPP: Bas Balkissoon - Scarborough-Rouge River

Thank You, Lord for MPP Bas Balkissoon and his service to the people of this province. We pray that your hand would continue to guide his life and bless his work. Make him aware of those who genuinely need his help and enable him to contribute to their well-being. Give him the strength and endurance he needs and let him know that his efforts are appreciated. Bless his family with health and wholeness and may they be aware of your presence in their lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Bas Balkissoon was born in Trinidad and immigrated to Canada in 1970.

He was elected to the Ontario legislature in a by-election in 2005 and was re-elected in the 2007, 2011 and 2014 general elections.

Balkissoon currently serves as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

He also serves as Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House.

Bas is a member of the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly, the Standing Committee on Estimates and the Select Committee on Developmental Services.

Bas served on the Select Committee for Mental Health and Addictions that published a final report listing recommendations to establish and implement a comprehensive mental health and addictions plan for Ontario.

In 2008, Bas served on the Select Committee that developed the Poverty Reduction Strategy.
He was the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Community and Social Services from 2010-2012, the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care from 2007-2010 and to the Minister of Community Safety in 2006-2007.

Bas Balkissoon was first elected in 1988 to municipal government as a City Councillor for the City of Scarborough and then to the amalgamated City of Toronto in 1997, serving a total of 17 years.
During his 17-year career in municipal politics, Balkissoon served on several standing committees, including the Budget Committee, Audit Committee, Toronto Transit Commission and Toronto Police Services Board.

He also served as chairman of Waste Diversion Ontario and board member for the Metro Toronto Housing Authority and the Social Housing Services Corporation.
In 2001, Balkissoon played a key role in exposing many inappropriate business dealings at the City of Toronto.

Before entering politics, Balkissoon worked for Bell Canada for 17 years in various management positions. During that time, he served as an Advisor to the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Post, Telephone and Telegraph for just over two years.

Balkissoon and his family have lived in Scarborough-Rouge River for over 30 years.

http://basbalkissoon.onmpp.ca/Biography

MPP: Yvan Baker - Etobicoke Centre

Lord, we lift up MPP Yvan Baker. We pray he would sense your love and goodness as he goes about his work in his riding. May he feel encouraged as he serves the people of his community and province. We pray that you would give him the strength to carryout the many tasks before him. Bless his family with good health and give him direction in all his future endeavors. Amen

Yvan Baker is a business advisor, teacher and community leader.

Yvan most recently operated his own business, working as a management consultant to help Canadian companies grow and solve their strategic challenges. Previously, Yvan was a consultant with The Boston Consulting Group in Toronto and New York. He has consulted to clients that include Fortune 500 companies in a variety of sectors. Yvan has consulted in industries such as retail, energy, financial services and telecommunications.

Yvan also teaches Master of Business Administration students at York University.

For years, Yvan has worked to foster opportunity for those less fortunate and to build stronger, more prosperous communities. Yvan has volunteered for a variety of charitable and humanitarian organizations, including Leave Out Violence as Board Director; the Emerging Leaders Network where he worked with civic leaders on projects promoting  Toronto's economic and social prosperity; and Global Grassroots where he supported emerging women leaders in Rwanda on projects that address issues such as lack of access to water, domestic violence and health education. Yvan has also served our constituency as an Executive Assistant to a former MP for Etobicoke Centre.

In recognition of his service to the community Yvan was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal.

Yvan holds an MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and a BBA from the Schulich Schoool of Business at York University.

Yvan was raised in Etobicoke where he has lived for over 25 years. He is a proud native and resident of Etobicoke Centre.

Yvan was elected as MPP for Etobicoke Centre in June 2014. Subsequently Yvan was appointed as Parliamentary Assistant to the President of the Treasury Board.

http://yvanbaker.onmpp.ca/Biography

MPP: Robert (Bob) Bailey - Sarnia-Lambton

Father, we are thankful for MPP Robert Bailey. Continue to give him vision, direction. We pray that you would give him strength, support and encouragement. Keep his family unified and protected. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Bob Bailey was born and raised in Petrolia, Ontario, just southeast of Sarnia, in the heart of the riding of Sarnia-Lambton. The Bailey family has a long history in this part of Ontario. Bob has been married to his wife Elizabeth for 43 years and together they raised three children and have two grandchildren.
Prior to serving the hard-working people of Sarnia-Lambton as an MPP, Bob was an employee of NOVA Chemicals’ at both the Corunna Plant and St. Clair River Site. During his 30 years of service he held several positions including most recently as Contract and Construction Coordinator.

Upon his election to the Ontario Legislative Assembly in 2007 as the MPP for Sarnia Lambton, MPP Bailey was appointed to the Official Opposition’s Labour Critic Portfolio, and selected to serve on the Standing Committee for General Government. Shortly thereafter, he accepted a position as the Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee on Estimates. In 2009, MPP Bailey was appointed as the Official Opposition’s Critic for Apprenticeships and Training, and Chair of the PC Caucus’ Rural Taskforce. In 2011, MPP Bailey took responsibility for the Corrections portfolio to help spearhead the fight to save the Sarnia Jail from closure by the Provincial Government. That same year, PC Leader Tim Hudak appointed Bob as the Deputy-Whip of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition at Queen’s Park, a role he still holds today. In October, 2013, MPP Bailey added the Natural Resources (Oil, Gas & Aggregates) Critic role to his responsibilities at Queen’s Park. MPP Bailey views the Natural Resources Critic role as an opportunity to promote the tremendous opportunity for economic growth and job creation in Ontario through the proper handling and development of the natural resources both in Ontario, and across Canada.

MPP Bailey brings small town values of hard-work, commitment and common sense to the Ontario Legislature. MPP Bailey uses his experience and understanding of the work that the people of Sarnia-Lambton excel at to promote the region at Queen’s Park. He strives to keep the conversation and decision-making at Queen’s Park balanced, informed and fair. MPP Bailey is deeply invested in achieving government accountability for Ontario’s taxpayers and believes that Ontarians should only pay for the size of government that they can comfortably afford.

http://bobbaileympp.com/about-bob/

MPP: Ted Arnott - Wellington-Halton Hills

Lord, we are grateful for MPP Ted Arnott. We ask that you would continue to lead and guide him. Increase his ability to be that visionary you are calling him to be. May you ensure that even in the midst of his busy schedule that he and his family will always find time to be together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Ted Arnott never gives up.
As MPP for Wellington-Halton Hills, Ted is trusted, experienced and dedicated. He is a persistent and effective advocate for our communities and the values we share.

He strongly supports our local health care services and schools. He pushes for the infrastructure projects we need. He looks out for farm families. He supports small business, and he knows we must do more to create jobs.

Ted listens and then takes action. That’s what he’s done since 1990, when he was first elected to the Ontario Legislature at age 27. Quickly earning a reputation as a decent and hard-working representative, he was re-elected in 1995, 1999, 2003, and again in 2007.
Today, Ted services as a Presiding Officer (assistant Speaker) in the Legislative Assembly. He also serves as the PC Critic to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs.

Ted believes in our communities’ capacity to do good works and achieve great goals. He believes that government must be a partner, not an obstacle, in achieving these ambitions. Community conservatism--that’s Ted’s philosophy.

http://www.tedarnottmpp.com/site/biography.html

MPP: Teresa Armstrong - London-Fanshawe

Lord, surround MPP Teresa Armstrong today and in the coming days with your wisdom and guidance. May her thoughts and plans be established by you. Give her the ability to discern what is of real value. May she be filled with compassion and be aware of the needs of the people in her constituency and how to meet them. Bless her family members and may love and faithfulness never leave them. May she win favor and a good name with all people. Amen

Teresa Armstrong is the Member of Provincial Parliament for London-Fanshawe. She was elected on October 6th, 2011
Teresa has been actively involved in her community for many years. She was instrumental in the inception of the Argyle Resource Centre and served as one of its first chairpersons. She is also a past president of East London Lioness Club, a past board member of LUSO Centre, a volunteer with East London Optimist Club, a member of Argyle Community Association and she is a previous co-chair of the Argyle Indoor Pool Committee.

Politics is not a new venture for Teresa. She has worked alongside and supported her husband Bill Armstrong, City Councillor, Ward 2 for many years. Throughout the years Teresa has worked with Bill volunteering and organizing community events such as senior’s Christmas parties, Canada Day events and community clean ups at Lord Nelson and Forestview Parks.

Teresa’s experience as an insurance broker, working with the public and her countless hours of volunteering have allowed her to develop the leadership skills necessary to effectively represent the people of London Fanshawe. At a time when Ontario needs change, Teresa offers a positive change and a focus on putting people first.
Teresa lives with her husband Bill and their two children.

http://www.teresaarmstrong.ca/bio/

MPP: Granville Anderson - Durham

Thank You, Lord for MPP Granville Anderson and his service to the people of this province. We pray that your hand would continue to guide his life and bless his work.
 

Make him aware of those who genuinely need his help and enable him to contribute to their well-being. Give him the strength and endurance he needs and let him know that his efforts are appreciated. Bless his family with health and wholeness and may they be aware of your presence in their lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Granville is a business owner, school trustee, and community leader whose private sector experience will help him create local jobs, grow our economy, and attract business and government investment.

As the owner of a local mediation firm, Granville has helped people throughout our community to find real and lasting solutions to challenges they faced.

He has also served as Vice-Chair and Chair of the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board, Vice-President of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Courtice Chapter, a coach with the Clarington Boys’ Baseball League, and is a member of Rotary Club of Courtice.

Granville has been a school board trustee, responsible for balancing the Board’s $180 million dollar budget and initiating programs that led to student success.
He has called Clarington home for over 25 years.

http://granvilleanderson.onmpp.ca/Biography

MPP: Laura Albanese - York South-Weston

Lord, we ask you to bless MPP Laura Albanese in the many duties she fulfills. Give her clarity and the ability to make good decisions. Lead her into opportunities that will be for the benefit of her constituents and the people of our province. Give her grace and peace and may her family be aware of your love and care for them. In Christ’s name, Amen

Laura Albanese is the Member of Provincial Parliament for the riding of York South-Weston i­n the northwestern part of Toronto. Laura is proud to serve as a voice for the community of York South-Weston where she lives, works and has raised her family. She is dedicated ­­to improving the quality of life in her community and across Ontario.
Laura was first elected as a member of the Ontario Liberal Party in the Ontario General Election of October 2007 and re-elected in 2011.

She currently serves as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance. She has previously served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Minister of Labour, and the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

http://lauraalbanese.onmpp.ca/Biography